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The current study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of black seed oil (BSO) and its nanoemulsion (BSO-NE) against two foodborne pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium, during the processing and storage of yoghurt. Additionally, the sensory properties of the resulting yoghurt were assessed. Firstly, BSO-NE was prepared and characterized using zeta-sizer and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Then, the antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined via a resazurin-based microtiter dilution assay. Fresh buffalo's milk was inoculated with L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium (1×105 CFU/ml) with the addition of either BSO or BSO-NE. The inoculated milk was then used for yoghurt making. The organoleptic properties and bacterial load of the obtained yoghurt were evaluated during storage in comparison to a control group. This study elucidated that BSO can be successfully produced in a nanoemulsion form, exhibiting acceptable particle size, stability, and morphology. The results demonstrated a strong antibacterial activity of BSO-NE (3.125 mg/mL) against both L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium compared to the control and pure oil groups. Notably, complete eradication of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium was observed in yoghurt formulated with BSO-NE on the 8th day of storage. Interestingly, the antibacterial effect of BSO and BSO-NE on Salmonella Typhimurium was approximately similar throughout the experiment. Moreover, the results indicated that the addition of BSO-NE to yoghurt enhanced its organoleptic properties. Overall, these findings suggest that yoghurt can be fortified with BSO-NE to prevent bacterial contamination by L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium in the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of Nigella sativa oil (N.s) against the adverse effects induced by atrazine (ATZ) in mice. Four groups were divided into: Control group (untreated); N.s group (N. sativa oil, 2 mL/kg/BW); ATZ group (atrazine 200 mg/kg/BW); ATZ+N.s group (atrazine 200 mL/kg/BW; and N. sativa oil, 2 mL/kg/BW). All doses were administered by gavage once daily for 4 weeks. The atrazine-administered group showed a significant increase in total leukocytes, granulocytes, and agranulocytes and a decrease in red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and packed cell volume. Serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were high in the ATZ group. Atrazine exposure reduced serum albumin and total protein levels in the blood. A significantly higher concentration of bilirubin, urea, and creatinine was also found in the ATZ group. The simultaneous administration of atrazine and N. sativa led to improvements in all the parameters studied above. Thus, this study revealed that atrazine exposure has toxic effects on hematological parameters, liver, and kidney function, and that N. sativa oil reduces these toxic effects of atrazine in male mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic antibiotic use has been reported to impair mitochondrial indices, hypothalamus-mediated metabolic function, and amygdala-regulated emotional processes. Natural substances such as black seed (Nigella sativa) oil could be beneficial in mitigating these impairments. This study aimed to assess the impact of black seed oil (NSO) on depression and sociability indices, redox imbalance, mitochondrial-dependent markers, and insulin expression in mice subjected to chronic ampicillin exposure. Forty adult male BALB/c mice (30 ± 2 g) were divided into five groups: the CTRL group received normal saline, the ABT group received ampicillin, the NSO group received black seed oil, the ABT/NSO group concurrently received ampicillin and black seed oil, and the ABT+NSO group experienced pre-exposure to ampicillin followed by subsequent treatment with black seed oil. The ampicillin-exposed group exhibited depressive-like behaviours, impaired social interactive behaviours, and disruptions in mitochondrial-dependent markers in plasma and hypothalamic tissues, accompanied by an imbalance in antioxidant levels. Moreover, chronic antibiotic exposure downregulated insulin expression in the hypothalamus. However, these impairments were significantly ameliorated in the ABT/NSO, and ABT+NSO groups compared to the untreated antibiotic-exposed group. Overall, findings from this study suggest the beneficial role of NSO as an adjuvant therapy in preventing and abrogating mood behavioural and neural-metabolic impairments of chronic antibiotic exposure.

Staphylococcus aureus with current universal importance represents a main carrier of emerging antimicrobial resistance determinatives of global health concerns that have developed drug resistance mechanisms to the various available antibiotics. On the other hand, due to the antimicrobial potential of Nigella Sativa oil (NSO), it was hypothesized that incorporation of nano-carriers (NS-SLN and NS-chitosan (CH) nanoparticles) can enhance its antibacterial effects. This study evaluated the physico-chemical and antibacterial characteristics of NS-SLN and NS-CH. TEM images revealed a round shape with clear edges for both nanoparticles, and the average sizes were reported to be 196.4 and 446.6 nm for NS-SLN and NS-CH, respectively. The zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency were −28.9 and 59.4 mV and 73.22% and 88% for NS-SLN and NS-CH, respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations for NSO, NS-SLN, and NS-CH against S. aureus were 480, 200, and 80 µg/mL, respectively. The results confirm significantly stronger antibacterial influences of NSO when loaded into chitosan nanoparticles as a potential candidate for nano-delivery of antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black seed oil (BSO) or Nigella sativa contains numerous bioactive components, in which thymoquinone (TQ) becomes a functional key compound and serves as an analytical marker. With its non-polar characteristic, lipid-based delivery systems can be a solution to improve the solubility of BSO. Thus, it is necessary to have a valid basis for TQ quantification, especially in the emulsion as the delivery system of BSO. This study aimed to validate a Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) method for quantifying TQ, and subsequently employ the method to evaluate TQ extraction from BSO and BSO-containing emulsion and determine the entrapment efficiency of the emulsion. The method indicated a linearity between 10 and 1280 µg/ml with detection and quantification limits of 13,59 and 41,19 µg/ml, respectively. The extraction of TQ with the sample:methanol ratio of 1:9 and 30-min centrifugation yielded the maximum TQ recovery from BSO and BSO-containing emulsion. The entrapment efficiency in emulsion reached 64,83% obtained with the density-changing centrifugation method. Overall, this validated GC-FID method demonstrated that the selected condition in the methanol extraction could effectively separate TQ from both BSO and its emulsion matrices and support the determination of the entrapment efficiency of the BSO-containing emulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the eggs were coated individually with black seed oil (BSO) or with combination of rosemary essential oil (REO). The eggs were coated with BSO incorporated with 1, 2 and 3% REO and stored for 6 weeks. The results showed that shell thickness of coated eggs called BSO-3%REO was 55 μm which was higher than control (45 μm). After 6 weeks of storage, the Haugh Unit and egg yolk index of control eggs were 21 and 0.16, while for coated eggs with BSO-3%REO were 33 and 0.23, respectively. The pH of albumin and egg yolk were 8.19 and 5.56 in control which reached 9.59 and 7.24 after 6 weeks while 9.04 and 7.19 were obtained for BSO-3%REO coated eggs. The albumin foaming and its stability were 8.37 mL/g and 25.03% for control on the first day which decreased to 3.19 mL/g and 14.90% after 6 weeks while coating delayed the foam deterioration up to 4.72 mL/g and 17.23% during the storage period. Coating with BSO incorporated with 3% of REO had significant effects on aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria while no considerable effects were observed on gram negative S. enteritidis. Taking into account, it seems that coating fresh eggs with BSO incorporated with 2 or 3% REO can extend the shelf life of eggs for 3 weeks while minimal changes occur in the quality characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant Nigella sativa (NS) has a rich history in folk medicine, being utilized for various illnesses and as tonic drugs. Furthermore, thymoquinone (TQ), a major compound found in the seeds of NS, may exhibit antioxidant activity. In addition to black candles, traditional medicine employs olive oil and honey to nourish the body. Some folk medicine systems combine NS, honey, and olive oil for improved efficacy; however, knowledge regarding the antioxidant properties of black seed oil (BSO), BSO with olive oil (BSOO), and BSO with honey (BSOH) remains limited. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the antioxidant properties of BSO, BSOO, and BSOH. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that BSO contained 73.48 ± 1.23 mg/kg TQ. BSO, BSOO, and BSOH exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, with NO scavenging activities of 94.32, 76.53, and 50.37, respectively. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and metal chelating activity assays (with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values), oxygen radical antioxidant capacity, and total flavonoid compound content of BSO were 0.135 ± 0.003 mg/mL, 0.005 ± 0.003 mg/mL, 32 ± 0.4 μM Trolox/g extract, and 997 ± 20 mg catechin equivalent/g of extract, respectively. These results are potentially linked to the increased antioxidant activity, as suggested by Pearson's correlation coefficients. In the ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay, the highest antioxidant activity was demonstrated by BSOO and BSOH, with total phenolic content of 7288 ± 300 mM FeSO4/mg and 346 ± 17 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g E, respectively. This study affirms the potent antioxidant properties of BSO, BSOO, and BSOH, emphasizing the importance of further research on NS infusion as a promising antioxidant agent and its application as an anti-aging and tonic drug.

Lansoprazole (LZP) is used to treat acid-related gastrointestinal disorders; however, its low aqueous solubility limits its oral absorption. Black seed oil (BSO) has gastroprotective effects, making it a promising addition to gastric treatment regimens. The present study aims to develop a stable multifunctional formulation integrating solid dispersion (SD) technology with a bioactive self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) based on BSO to synergistically enhance LZP delivery and therapeutic effects. The LZP-loaded SNEDDS was prepared using BSO, Transcutol P, and Kolliphor EL. SDs were produced by microwave irradiation and lyophilization using different polymers. The formulations were characterized by particle apparent hydrodynamic radius analysis, zeta potential, SEM, DSC, PXRD, and in vitro dissolution testing. Their chemical and physical stability under accelerated conditions was also examined. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the dispersed systems were in the nanosize range (<500 nm). DSC and PXRD studies revealed that lyophilization more potently disrupted LZP crystallinity versus microwave heating. The SNEDDS effectively solubilized LZP but degraded completely within 1 day. Lyophilized SDs with Pluronic F-127 demonstrated the highest LZP dissolution efficiency (3.5-fold vs. drug) and maintained chemical stability (>97%) for 1 month. SDs combined with the SNEDDS had variable effects suggesting that the synergistic benefits were dependent on the formulation and preparation method. Lyophilized LZP-Pluronic F127 SD enabled effective and stable LZP delivery alongside the bioactive effects of the BSO-based SNEDDS. This multifunctional system is a promising candidate with the potential for optimized gastrointestinal delivery of LZP and bioactive components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering that traditional medicine has been used to treat sleep disorders due to restless leg syndrome, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of black seed oil massage on the severity of restless legs syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 152 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, in 2022. Based on the International Restless Leg Syndrome Scale (IRLSS), patients with moderate and severe severity of restless leg syndrome (score ≥ 11) were divided into two equal (intervention and control) groups (n=76). The control group received routine treatment. In the intervention group, in addition to routine treatment, effleurage foot massage with black seed oil was performed. At the end of the course, the intensity of restless legs syndrome in the two groups was checked again. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the intensity of restless legs syndrome in the control and intervention groups. At the end of the intervention, the mean intensity levels of this syndrome in the control and intervention groups were 26.63±5.81 and 18.88±8.44, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Foot massage using black seed oil was effective in reducing the restless legs syndrome intensity in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that this method be used along with the usual treatment methods to relieve the restless legs syndrome in these patients.

This study aimed to develop and validate an ultrasonication-aided UV-Vis spectroscopy method for quantifying black seed oil (BSO) in alginate beads. The method utilized sonication at 10% power rate for 120 seconds to stabilize the emulsion droplet size of 10 mL of the emulsion diluents derived from breaking BSO-alginate beads in phosphate buffer. Absorbance measurements were taken at 400 nm, which was found to be the optimal wavelength for measuring the absorbance of turbid emulsion diluents. The method showed excellent linearity between 0.8 - 5 mg/mL (R2 = 0.9977), with Limit of Detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) values of 0.082 and 0.249 mg/mL, respectively. The method also exhibited good accuracy and precision, with recovery percentages ranging from 98.02 - 101.9% (RSD = 0.15 - 1.24%) and intra-day/inter-day precision with RSD less than 2%. These findings suggest that the ultrasonication-aided spectroscopy method is a quick, accurate, and precise way to quantify encapsulated oils and could be useful for oils analysis during R&D, In Process Quality Control (IPQC), and Quality Control (QC) tests, as well as in other applications such as industrial manufacturing and academic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs are highly perishable due to high moisture content and nutrients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of coating with black seed oil and rosemary extract on egg physical, chemical, functional and microbial characteristics. For this purpose, 300 eggs consisted of control group, eggs coated with black seed oil, and samples coated with black seed oil and 1, 2, and 3% rosemary extract were prepared. Throughout the six weeks of storage at 4 °C, thickness, weight loss, Haugh unit, yolk index, pH, amount of egg white foam production and microbial features were investigated. The weight loss in the control group was 6.64 and 4.80 g in the control group and the treatment with 3% rosemary extract, respectively. In the control group, Haugh unit was decreased from about 75 on the first day to 31.38 after six weeks storage. Haugh unit in the egg group coated with 3% rosemary extract was 41.76. The microbial load of shell after six weeks of storage in the control sample was 4.59 log CFU/g, and in the samples coated with black seed oil alone and in the presence of 1%, 2% and 3% rosemary extract were 4.32 and 3.99, 3.27, 2.30 log CFU/g, respectively. Due to the bactericidal effect of coating components, egg-shell microbial load was decreased. The coating was able to increase the shelf life up to six weeks.

Background: Long-term use of levofloxacin can cause alterations in the liver function. This study aimed to determine the protective effect of black seed oil (BSO) against liver injury due to levofloxacin administration in rats. Methods: The chemical composition of BSO was analyzed with gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). Rats (n=30) were treated daily with levofloxacin and BSO at three doses (1, 2 or 4 mL/kg) orally for 28 days. The presence of liver injury was determined based on serum biomarkers and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and histopathological examinations. Results: The GC-MS analyses showed that BSO contained 25 chemical compounds, including thymoquinone (10.14%). The levofloxacin administration significantly increased the liver enzymes and MDA levels, and induced a marked alteration in the liver histological structures. Treatments of rats with one or two mL/kg BSO significantly decreased the liver enzymes, and MDA levels compared to those that received levofloxacin alone (P

Black cumin seeds and seed oil have long been used in traditional foods and medicine in South Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries and are valuable flavor ingredients. An important ingredient of black cumin is the small molecule thymoquinone (TQ), which manifests low toxicity and potential therapeutic activity against a wide number of diseases including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, the antioxidant activities of black seed oil, TQ and a related molecule found in black cumin, thymohydroquinone (THQ), were measured using a direct electrochemical method to experimentally evaluate their superoxide scavenging action. TQ and the black seed oil showed good superoxide scavenging ability, while THQ did not. Density Functional Theory (DFT) computational methods were applied to arrive at a chemical mechanism describing these results, and confirmed the experimental Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE) findings that superoxide oxidation to O2 by TQ is feasible, in contrast with THQ, which does not scavenge superoxide. Additionally, a thorough inquiry into the unusual cyclic voltammetry pattern exhibited by TQ was studied and was associated with formation of a 1:1 TQ-superoxide radical species, [TQ-O2]−•. DFT calculations reveal this radical species to be involved in the π-π mechanism describing TQ reactivity with superoxide. The crystal structures of TQ and THQ were analyzed, and the experimental data reveal the presence of stacking intermolecular interactions that can be associated with formation of the radical species, [TQ-O2]−•. All three of these methods were essential for us to arrive at a chemical mechanism that explains TQ antioxidant activity, that incorporates intermolecular features found in the crystal structure and which correlates with the measured superoxide scavenging activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining healthy food, free from chemical or synthetic additives, is a major challenge. In this study, we developed a preservation method using essential oils and evaluated their effect on multidrug resistant pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. Different concentrations (1%,0.1%,0.17% and 0.35%) of Thyme oil and black seed oil were employed in this study against pathogenic E. coli and A. hydrophila in soft cheese. The used oils at a concentration of 0.1% through dipping method resulted in accepted color and odor, little effect on flavor and normal texture and appearance, while 0.1% during inoculation had the same effect as in dipping method except moderate odor. Thyme oil had the highest reduction rate in case of 1% dipping and 0.17% inoculation on A. hydrophila, while against E. coli it was found that 0.17% inoculation and 0.35% of the dipping method had the highest reduction effect. Thyme essential oil seems to be a suitable natural food preservative alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different encapsulation materials might not only affect lipid hydrolysis but also lipid oxidation during in vitro digestion. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of two commonly used shell materials, starch and gelatin, on the extent of lipolysis and bioaccessibility of the main and some minor lipid compounds, as well as on the oxidative status in encapsulated black seed oil (Nigella sativa) during in vitro digestion. The study was carried out using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-UV. It was shown that starch increased the level of lipid hydrolysis in black seed oil during gastric in vitro digestion, while no differences were observed in the intestinal digestates between starch-encapsulated oil and gelatin-encapsulated oil. Similarly, the bioaccessibility of minor compounds (tocopherols, sterols and thymoquinone) was not influenced by the shell materials. However, regarding lipid oxidation, a 20- and 10-fold rise of free oxylipins was obtained in oils encapsulated by starch and gelatin, respectively, after intestinal in vitro digestion. This study evidenced that gelatin rather than starch should be used for the encapsulation of oils to minimize the digestion-induced formation of bioactive oxylipins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic plant fungi are of great concern due to their effects in reducing crop yield. Plant oils are environmentally friendly alternatives to non-biodegradable synthetic fungicides. This study investigated the potency of some plant oils in vitro against pathogenic plant fungi. Fungi were isolated from infected leaves of soybean, cowpea, groundnut and maize cultivated on the same farm land. These fungi were identified as Rhizoctonia solani, Mucor racemosus, Fusarium verticillioides, Flavodon flavus and Aspergillus flavus. Preliminary testing of the antifungal effects of black seed, castor, and lemon oilwas carried out against the isolated fungi using standard procedures. The results identified which of the tested plant oil demonstrated antifungal potential against the fungi species. Lemon oil and black seed oil showed the most promising effect due to their broad-spectrum mycelia inhibitory effects on the pathogenic fungi. Lemon oil was fungicidal against F. verticillioides and F. flavus in this study. Sporulation in F. flavus were also inhibited by the two oils. Lemon and black seed oils are suggested as promising candidates for further research in vivo and are major components for fungicides. This work has demonstrated the potency of plant oils as an important economical and environmentally friendly alternatives to non-biodegradable synthetic fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Vitamin E and black seed oil are two powerful antioxidants with several health benefits. Objective The effect of vitamin E and black seed oil on reproductive performance of Swiss albino mice was studied. Methods A total of 80 (40 male and 40 female) mice of 25–28 days old were randomly divided into four groups viz., A, B, C and D consisting of 10 mice in each group. Mice from the group A served as vehicle control and received normal mice ration whereas mice from the group B, C and D received feed supplemented with either black seed oil (0.5 ml/kg), vitamin E (200 mg/kg) or combination of black seed oil (0.5 ml/kg) and vitamin E (200 mg/kg), respectively daily for 16 weeks. At the end point of the study, blood samples were collected and sera were separated for hormonal analysis. At the same time, mice were sacrificed and testes and ovaries were collected for histomorphological examination. Results In male mice, the level of testosterone increased significantly in mice receiving black seed oil only, whereas the thyroxin increased significantly in all treated groups when compared to the control mice. Histomorphological examination revealed a significant increase in the diameter of seminiferous tubules in male mice fed with either black seed oil or vitamin E or both. On the other hand, the oestradiol and thyroxin concentration in female mice showed no significant changes in both control and treated groups. However, ovaries of mice fed with black seed oil or vitamin E or both showed an increased number of the follicles of different stages than the control mice. Conclusions The findings highlighted the promoting action of vitamin E and black seed oil on reproductive functions of mice and that can be used to treat infertility in man and animals.

Lansoprazole (LZP) is used to treat acid-related gastrointestinal disorders; however, its low aqueous solubility limits its oral absorption. Black seed oil (BSO) has gastroprotective effects, making it a promising addition to gastric treatment regimens. The present study aims to develop a stable multifunctional formulation integrating solid dispersion (SD) technology with a bioactive self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) based on BSO to synergistically enhance LZP delivery and therapeutic effects. The LZP-loaded SNEDDS was prepared using BSO, Transcutol P, and Kolliphor EL. SDs were produced by microwave irradiation and lyophilization using different polymers. The formulations were characterized by particle apparent hydrodynamic radius analysis, zeta potential, SEM, DSC, PXRD, and in vitro dissolution testing. Their chemical and physical stability under accelerated conditions was also examined. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the dispersed systems were in the nanosize range (97%) for 1 month. SDs combined with the SNEDDS had variable effects suggesting that the synergistic benefits were dependent on the formulation and preparation method. Lyophilized LZP-Pluronic F127 SD enabled effective and stable LZP delivery alongside the bioactive effects of the BSO-based SNEDDS. This multifunctional system is a promising candidate with the potential for optimized gastrointestinal delivery of LZP and bioactive components.

Obtaining healthy food, free from chemical or synthetic additives, is a major challenge. In this study, we developed a preservation method using essential oils and evaluated their effect on multidrug resistant pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. Different concentrations (1%,0.1%,0.17% and 0.35%) of Thyme oil and black seed oil were employed in this study against pathogenic E. coli and A. hydrophila in soft cheese. The used oils at a concentration of 0.1% through dipping method resulted in accepted color and odor, little effect on flavor and normal texture and appearance, while 0.1% during inoculation had the same effect as in dipping method except moderate odor. Thyme oil had the highest reduction rate in case of 1% dipping and 0.17% inoculation on A. hydrophila, while against E. coli it was found that 0.17% inoculation and 0.35% of the dipping method had the highest reduction effect. Thyme essential oil seems to be a suitable natural food preservative alternative.

Aim: Endothelial dysfunction is a crucial contributor to the development of vascular problems. Nigella sativa L. seed oil which is commonly known as black seed oil is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic agent that can be considered as an attractive candidate for improving endothelial dysfunction. Our objective is to evaluate the impact of Nigella sativa seed oil on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP), as well as quality of life of type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blinded study was conducted and registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03959306). Patients were randomly given either 1800 mg/day of black seed oil or placebo capsules for 12 weeks. Full clinical history, biochemical glycemic indices, lipid profile, kidney and liver functions, hsCRP, ICAM-1, as well as diabetes-39 questionnaire were assessed at baseline and end of the study. Results: After 12 weeks, the levels of hemoglobin A1C, total cholesterol, triglycerides, hsCRP and ICAM-1, as well as diabetes control domain scores decreased significantly in intervention group compared to control group. Conclusion: The administration of black seed oil over 12 weeks showed a superior efficacy over standard treatment alone in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and can be considered as therapeutic option for improving endothelial dysfunction. Trial registration number: NCT03959306, Trial registration date: May, 2019.

Black cumin seed oil (BCO) is an important oil source in the food industry. Alginate capsules with aqueous cores can be made by reversing the gelation technique with alginate and CaCl2. The research aims to investigate the physicochemical properties of the capsules as well as to analyze the storage stability of BCO emulsions (emulgators; polyglycerol polyricinoleate (A) and sorbitan monooleate (B)) coated using the inverse gelation method. The peroxide value in group A increased rapidly on the first day and then declined without any significant difference between the third and sixth days (p > 0.05). The peroxide value of group B increased significantly (p

Purpose: Ramipril (RMP)—an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor—and thymoquinone (THQ) suffer from poor oral bioavailability. Developing a combined liquid SNEDDS that comprises RMP and black seed oil (as a natural source of THQ) could lead to several formulations and therapeutic benefits. Methods: The present study involved comprehensive optimization of RMP/THQ liquid SNEDDS using self-emulsification assessment, equilibrium solubility studies, droplet size analysis, and experimentally designed phase diagrams. In addition, the optimized RMP/THQ SNEDDS was evaluated against pure RMP, pure THQ, and the combined pure RMP + RMP-free SNEDDS (capsule-in-capsule) dosage form via in vitro dissolution studies. Results: The phase diagram study revealed that black seed oil (BSO) showed enhanced self-emulsification efficiency with the cosolvent (Transcutol P) and hydrogenated castor oil. The phase diagram studies also revealed that the optimized formulation BSO/TCP/HCO-30 (32.25/27.75/40 % w/w) showed high apparent solubility of RMP (25.5 mg/g), good THQ content (2.7 mg/g), and nanometric (51 nm) droplet size. The in-vitro dissolution studies revealed that the optimized drug-loaded SNEDDS showed good release of RMP and THQ (up to 86% and 89%, respectively). Similarly, the isolation between RMP and SNEDDS (pure RMP + RMP-free SNEDDS) using capsule-in-capsule technology showed >84% RMP release and >82% THQ release. Conclusions: The combined pure RMP + RMP-free SNEDDS (containing black seed oil) could be a potential dosage form combining the solubilization benefits of SNEDDSs, enhancing the release of RMP/THQ along with enhancing RMP stability through its isolation from lipid-based excipients during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Thymoquinone (TQ) is the leading compound accounting for the pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa seed oil, also known as black seed oil. This study aimed to analyze the TQ content of commercial black seed oils and black seed oil-containing capsules to obtain information on the quality of the products and to find a promising and safe study medication for a putative clinical study. (2) Methods: Six black seed oils and five black seed oil-containing capsules were analyzed. TQ was quantified using a validated method consisting of a simple methanolic extraction and a fast HPLC-UV analysis. (3) Results: The TQ content varied from 3.08 to 809.4 mg/100 g (mean). The highest TQ content was found in a bottled oil, which might be considered for a clinical study. A dose of 4 mL of this oil per day contains 30 mg TQ, which is unlikely to be harmful. Based on the literature, a safe daily TQ dosage appears to be <48.6 mg per adult. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that black seed products should be regulated regarding TQ content to enable consumers to buy black seed food supplements of known content for the maintenance and improvement of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach of ionic gelation was employed at the pilot scale of the 50 kg batch size to manufacture black seed oil (BSO)-loaded alginate (ALG) beads as a natural source supplementing the main bioactive compound of BSO, i.e., thymoquinone (TQ). The BSO-ALG emulsion was prepared by initially emulsifying BSO with alginate solution at the pilot scale in two stages. The final emulsion was then dripped through 12 units of 3D-printed multi-nozzles into a curing bath containing Ca 2+ . The dripping flow rate was scaled up to 288 mL/min through the 3D-printed multi-nozzles (22-gauge). The characteristics of pilot scale BSO-ALG beads were similar to those produced at the lab scale; the beads were spherical with a size of 1.84-1.94 mm. The mechanical strength and loss on drying ranged from 143.6 to 172 g and 77.85-81.96 %, respectively. The production yield and encapsulation efficiency were 77.53-83.65 % and 95.36-97.9 %, respectively. Furthermore, the emulsification process did not affect TQ stability, while the curing process reduced TQ concentration from 1.51 % to 1.03 % w/w. Additionally, a substantial drop in TQ concentration in the encapsulated BSO was observed after the drying process, where it reached 0.23 % w/w. Finally, the stability of BSO-ALG beads in both wet and dried forms under real-time and accelerated conditions for 3 months revealed that beads were stable in terms of their organoleptic characteristics, size and sphericity, and loss on drying. Findings from this study enable the large-scale manufacturing of encapsulated BSO and similar bioactive compounds in ALG beads for the first time. These findings are valuable for advancing microencapsulation through ionic gelation and enhancing food preservation and safety., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Abd Almonem Doolaanea and Awis Sukarni Mohmad Sabere reports financial support was provided by Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (10.13039/501100003200MOSTI). If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Medicines derived from natural sources have been used for thousands of years throughout the world. Because natural compounds are thought to have less toxic effects and fewer side effects, these products are becoming more popular by the day. In this case report, we presented a case of acute kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis, and hepatotoxicity after ingestion of black seed oil. Although black seed oil is widely used around the world, there is currently limited knowledge on its adverse effects. It is important to keep in mind that rhabdomyolysis, acute renal damage, and hepatotoxicity might occur following the use of black seed oil. Black seed oil ingestion should be considered when making a differential diagnosis for these conditions in patients suspected of taking herbal products. • The report describes the side effect of using black cumin oil. • The patient developed rhabdomyolysis and hepatotoxicity after consumption. • The clinical picture emerged after using 2000 mg per day for 1 month. • There is not enough data in the literature about the side effects of black cumin oil. • More research is needed regarding the side effects of black seed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black cumin seeds and seed oil have long been used in traditional foods and medicine in South Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries and are valuable flavor ingredients. An important ingredient of black cumin is the small molecule thymoquinone (TQ), which manifests low toxicity and potential therapeutic activity against a wide number of diseases including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, the antioxidant activities of black seed oil, TQ and a related molecule found in black cumin, thymohydroquinone (THQ), were measured using a direct electrochemical method to experimentally evaluate their superoxide scavenging action. TQ and the black seed oil showed good superoxide scavenging ability, while THQ did not. Density Functional Theory (DFT) computational methods were applied to arrive at a chemical mechanism describing these results, and confirmed the experimental Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE) findings that superoxide oxidation to O2 by TQ is feasible, in contrast with THQ, which does not scavenge superoxide. Additionally, a thorough inquiry into the unusual cyclic voltammetry pattern exhibited by TQ was studied and was associated with formation of a 1:1 TQ-superoxide radical species, [TQ-O2]−•. DFT calculations reveal this radical species to be involved in the π-π mechanism describing TQ reactivity with superoxide. The crystal structures of TQ and THQ were analyzed, and the experimental data reveal the presence of stacking intermolecular interactions that can be associated with formation of the radical species, [TQ-O2]−•. All three of these methods were essential for us to arrive at a chemical mechanism that explains TQ antioxidant activity, that incorporates intermolecular features found in the crystal structure and which correlates with the measured superoxide scavenging activity.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the hepatoprotective effects of metformin, vitamin E and black seed oil against liver damage developed in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: 30 Wistar Albino rats Control (n:6), Diabetes (n:6), Diabetes + Black Cumin Oil (n:6), Diabetes + Vitamin E (n:6) and Diabetes + Metformin (n:6) were divided into 5 groups. In order to induce diabetes, a single dose of 45 mg/kg Streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally. 100 mg/kg/day vitamin E was administered to the Diabetes + Vitamin E group, 100 mg/kg/day metformin to the Diabetes + Metformin group, and 2.5 ml/kg/day black seed oil to the Diabetes + Black Cumin oil group. Paraffin sections obtained from liver tissues were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson Trichrome and PAS stains. Results: Vacuolization, pycnotic core, dilatation of sinusoids, decreased glycogen content and congestion were observed in liver sections of diabetes group. There was partial improvement in the damage findings in the metformin group and minimal improvement in the vitamin E group. It was seen that the black seed oil group had a better effect in the evaluation of damage scoring than other treatment applications. p<0.01. Conclusions: It is thought that black cumin oil may have healing effects against liver damage caused by diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin E and black seed oil are two powerful antioxidants with several health benefits. Objective: The effect of vitamin E and black seed oil on reproductive performance of Swiss albino mice was studied. Methods: A total of 80 (40 male and 40 female) mice of 25–28 days old were randomly divided into four groups viz., A, B, C and D consisting of 10 mice in each group. Mice from the group A served as vehicle control and received normal mice ration whereas mice from the group B, C and D received feed supplemented with either black seed oil (0.5 ml/kg), vitamin E (200 mg/kg) or combination of black seed oil (0.5 ml/kg) and vitamin E (200 mg/kg), respectively daily for 16 weeks. At the end point of the study, blood samples were collected and sera were separated for hormonal analysis. At the same time, mice were sacrificed and testes and ovaries were collected for histomorphological examination. Results: In male mice, the level of testosterone increased significantly in mice receiving black seed oil only, whereas the thyroxin increased significantly in all treated groups when compared to the control mice. Histomorphological examination revealed a significant increase in the diameter of seminiferous tubules in male mice fed with either black seed oil or vitamin E or both. On the other hand, the oestradiol and thyroxin concentration in female mice showed no significant changes in both control and treated groups. However, ovaries of mice fed with black seed oil or vitamin E or both showed an increased number of the follicles of different stages than the control mice. Conclusions: The findings highlighted the promoting action of vitamin E and black seed oil on reproductive functions of mice and that can be used to treat infertility in man and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in the animal house at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine/ Tikrit University to investigate the effect of different concentrations of four types obtained from Al-Emad oil production company, which is grape seed oil, pumpkin oil, black seed oil and olive oil, with two types of commercial oils obtained from local markets, namely sunflower oil and corn oil, on some physiological characteristics of adult male rats with a number of 28 animal which had been divided in to 7 Groups , each one contained 4 animals. Animals underwent a lightening cycle which has been divided into 12 light hour and 12 dark hour, with a fixed temperature at 25± 2 º C. Animals had been left for one week to be adapted with the new conditions and to be sure of diseases privation. Food and water had been given continuously by oral dosing with sufficient quantities along the period of the process. The results have shown a significant increase in the gained weight of laboratory animals. There is also an increase in the total number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, granulosa cells, lymphocytes and platelets when adding grape seed oil, nigella oil, pumpkin oil and olive oil. And a decrease in the number of white blood cells compared to the addition of sunflower oil and corn oil. There is also an increase in the values of immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, IgE and IgG When adding grape seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, black seed oil and olive oil and a decrease in the values of the liver enzymes (ALT) and (AST) compared to the addition of sunflower oil and corn oil.

Bisphenol- A (BPA) is a multi-functional chemical produced in large volumes that is extensively used primarily in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Black seed oil (BSO) has been employed for many century as one of the main sources of nutrition and healthcare both for humans and animals. The study was carried out to investigate the effects of BPA and BSO on blood, hormone profile, and histopathological changes of ovary in female mice. Total 15 female Swiss Albino mice, aged between 6-8 weeks with an average body weight of 27.4±1g were randomly divided into 3 groups (5 mice/group). Group A act as vehicle control. Group B was administered 50 mg BPA /kg bw daily, while group C received both BPA and BSO and dose rate was 50 mg BPA /kg/day and 1ml BSO /kg/day respectively. Results revealed that Hb concentration, TEC and PCV (p [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2020; 3(1.000): 43-48]

Thymoquinone (TQ) is the major active compound in black seed oil (BSO). Many pharmacological effects of TQ, such as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, immune stimulator, and anticancer, have been reported. TQ can be considered as a biomarker for BSO, but its content in the commercial products is rarely reported. TQ content varies based on the oil source and extraction method. This study aimed to quantify the TQ content in the commercial BSO products in Malaysia and to evaluate whether the products can be used as a source of TQ for therapeutic benefits. TQ was quantified using an established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. TQ human equivalent dose (HED) was calculated based on reported animal studies from literature, and theoretical BSO amount containing the TQ dose was calculated based on the HPLC analysis. TQ content in the commercial BSO products ranged from 0.07% wt/wt to 1.88% wt/wt. The product with the highest TQ concentration is approximately 27-fold higher than the product with the lowest TQ concentration. Consequently, theoretical BSO amounts needed for specific diseases varied and some products cannot provide practical amount of TQ. This study recommends the regulation of TQ content in BSO and suggests that the BSO might be fortified with extra TQ to be effectively used in some diseases.

Different encapsulation materials might not only affect lipid hydrolysis but also lipid oxidation during in vitro digestion. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of two commonly used shell materials, starch and gelatin, on the extent of lipolysis and bioaccessibility of the main and some minor lipid compounds, as well as on the oxidative status in encapsulated black seed oil (Nigella sativa) during in vitro digestion. The study was carried out using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-UV. It was shown that starch increased the level of lipid hydrolysis in black seed oil during gastric in vitro digestion, while no differences were observed in the intestinal digestates between starch-encapsulated oil and gelatin-encapsulated oil. Similarly, the bioaccessibility of minor compounds (tocopherols, sterols and thymoquinone) was not influenced by the shell materials. However, regarding lipid oxidation, a 20- and 10-fold rise of free oxylipins was obtained in oils encapsulated by starch and gelatin, respectively, after intestinal in vitro digestion. This study evidenced that gelatin rather than starch should be used for the encapsulation of oils to minimize the digestion-induced formation of bioactive oxylipins.

The purpose of the study was to develop and validate UV-Vis spectrophotometric method for estimation of black seed oil (BSO) and peppermint oil (PO). Emulsions were prepared using alginate (2.0 %) w/v as water phase and lecithin (3.0 %) w/v by incorporating BSO and PO oil separately. A good linearity result was recorded with R2 value at 0.9990 within the concentration range of 5.0-50.0 mg/ml for both oils. Moreover, the recovery percentage of accuracy for BSO was from 102.03 ± 0.16 % to 99.67 ± 1.53 % and 101.29 ± 1.94 % to 98.73 ± 1.19 % for PO, which suggests that the method was accurate and precise. The method was precise, as the largest % Relative Standard Deviation (% RSD) value was 1.77 in intraday and 1.99 in interday for BSO, whereas 1.94 in intraday and 1.96 in interday for PO. The Detection Limit (DL) (0.469 mg/ml) and Quantification Limit (QL) (1.408 mg/ml) for BSO, and DL (0.709 mg/ml) and QL (2.127 mg/ml) for PO were measured. Based on this developed method, the % Encapsulation Efficiency (EE %) of optimized formulation was obtained 89.06 ± 0.39 % (n=3). This protocol may be used for estimation of EE % analysis of new drug formulation in pharmaceutical research and development and quality control analysis. Abbreviations: BSO: Black Seeds Oil; TQ: Thymoquinone; PO: Peppermint Oil; PBS: Phosphate Buffer Saline; N. sativa: Nigella sativa; Neem Seed Oil: NSO; DL: Detection Limit; QL: Quantification Limit; RSD: Relative Standard Deviation; SD: Standard Deviation; ICH: The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use; HPLC: High-Performance liquid Chromatography; GC-MS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; EE: Encapsulation Efficiency; PBS: Phosphate Buffer Saline; EDTA: Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid; w/v: Weight/Volume; T80: Tween 80. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, black seed oil‐loaded zein nanoparticles were produced via coaxial electrospraying. Nanoparticles obtained under optimised conditions had a uniform morphology with a mean diameter of 136 nm and a core–shell structure verified by confocal laser scanning microscope. The encapsulation efficiency of the oil in nanoparticles ranged from 65.3 to 97.2%. The peroxide value of oil in nanoparticles with high encapsulation efficiency was approximately three times lower than unencapsulated oil when stored at 60 °C for 55 days. The totox value of the encapsulated oil in nanoparticles stored at 25 °C was lower than the critical totox value of 30. The amount of thymoquinone released from encapsulated oil was low at the end of the gastric digestion, but the bioaccessibility of thymoquinone from encapsulated oil increased during intestinal digestion compared with free oil. These results demonstrated the successful nanoencapsulation of black seed oil with the improved oxidative stability due to the coaxial structures formed. Black seed oil‐loaded zein particles may have the potential to expand the use of black seed oil as a functional ingredient for food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black seed (Nigella sativa) oil is one of the herbal product which used for therapeutic purposes. We aimed to investigate the effects of black seed oil on irritated gastrointestinal mucosa and liver. 21 healthy swiss albino mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, group-2, group-3. The MTX (20 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally as a single dose on the 1st day to the group-2 and group 3. Black seed oil (4 ml/kg) was administered by gavages into the stomach daily for 7 days to the group 3. No pathology was observed in control group. In gastric mucosa histopathology, no pathology was observed in the gastric mucosa of group-2 and group-3. In the histopathological examination of the intestinal mucosa, significant hyperplasia and mononuclear cell infiltrations were observed in the intestines of the mice forming the group-2, characterized by an increase in villous epithelial cells. In the intestines of group-3, marked hyperplasia was observed, characterized by an increase in villous epithelial cells, and no other pathognomic findings in group-2 were observed. In liver histopathology, vascular congestion. sinusoidal enlargement, mononuclear cell infiltrations in periportal areas and local degenerative. changes were observed in group-2 and group-3. Ac cording to the data we obtained in our study, black seed oil has no irritating side for stomach and intestinal mucosa, and it was also seen that it has a protective and therapeutic effect. However, it was also observed in this study that the black seed did not affect the damaged liver and did not have a healing effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Ramipril (RMP)—an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor—and thymoquinone (THQ) suffer from poor oral bioavailability. Developing a combined liquid SNEDDS that comprises RMP and black seed oil (as a natural source of THQ) could lead to several formulations and therapeutic benefits. Methods: The present study involved comprehensive optimization of RMP/THQ liquid SNEDDS using self-emulsification assessment, equilibrium solubility studies, droplet size analysis, and experimentally designed phase diagrams. In addition, the optimized RMP/THQ SNEDDS was evaluated against pure RMP, pure THQ, and the combined pure RMP + RMP-free SNEDDS (capsule-in-capsule) dosage form via in vitro dissolution studies. Results: The phase diagram study revealed that black seed oil (BSO) showed enhanced self-emulsification efficiency with the cosolvent (Transcutol P) and hydrogenated castor oil. The phase diagram studies also revealed that the optimized formulation BSO/TCP/HCO-30 (32.25/27.75/40 % w/w) showed high apparent solubility of RMP (25.5 mg/g), good THQ content (2.7 mg/g), and nanometric (51 nm) droplet size. The in-vitro dissolution studies revealed that the optimized drug-loaded SNEDDS showed good release of RMP and THQ (up to 86% and 89%, respectively). Similarly, the isolation between RMP and SNEDDS (pure RMP + RMP-free SNEDDS) using capsule-in-capsule technology showed >84% RMP release and >82% THQ release. Conclusions: The combined pure RMP + RMP-free SNEDDS (containing black seed oil) could be a potential dosage form combining the solubilization benefits of SNEDDSs, enhancing the release of RMP/THQ along with enhancing RMP stability through its isolation from lipid-based excipients during storage.

Vitamin D3 (VD3) deficiency among children in Saudi Arabia remains a pressing concern due to its poor bioavailability and the limitations of current pediatric formulations. To address this challenge, we developed a groundbreaking pediatric self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (Bio-SNEDDS) for VD3, fortified with black seed oil and moringa seed oil for dual therapeutic benefits. Through meticulous formulation optimization using ternary phase diagrams and comprehensive testing, our Bio-SNEDDS demonstrated exceptional performance. Bio-SNEDDS were manufactured by incorporating Black seed oil and moringa seed oil as bioactive nutraceutical excipients along with various cosurfactant and surfactants. Bio-SNEDDS were systematically optimized through ternary phase diagrams, visual tests, droplet size analysis, drug solubilization studies, dispersion assessments, and pharmacokinetic testing in rats compared to Vi-De 3®. Pseudoternary phase diagrams identified oil blends producing large nanoemulsion regions optimal for SNEDDS formation. The optimized F1 Bio-SNEDDS showed a mean droplet diameter of 33.7 nm, solubilized 154.46 mg/g VD3 with no metabolite formation, and maintained >88% VD3 in solution during 24 h dispersion testing. Notably, in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation at a high VD3 dose demonstrated an approximately two-fold greater relative bioavailability over Vi-De 3®, validating the superb oral delivery performance of Bio-SNEDDS even under challenging high-dose conditions. The Bio-SNEDDS provides an effective VD3 delivery strategy with established in vivo superiority over marketed products, along with offering additional health benefits from the natural oils. • Bio-SNEDDS : Pediatric drug delivery with black seed oil & moringa seed oil for VD3 deficiency in children. • Bio-SNEDDS : Optimized via visual tests, droplet size analysis, solubilization studies, dispersion assessments, and rat pharmacokinetics vs. Vi-De 3®. • Bio-SNEDDS F1 : 33.7 nm droplets, 154.46 mg/g VD3 solubility, maintain >88% VD3 after 24 h aqueous dispersion. • Bio-SNEDDS F1 : Exceptional oral delivery, 2x relative bioavailability vs. Vi-De 3®. • Bio-SNEDDS : In vivo superiority, health benefits from natural oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black seed and its extracts have been used in alternative medicine since ancient times. The aim of this study is to produce and characterize composite nanofibrous surfaces by electrospinning with the addition of black seed oil with different concentrations into the thermoplastic polyurethane polymer for wound dressings. During electrospinning the flow rate, and the distance between the needle and the collector were changed. The morphologies of the surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanofiber diameters, pore size and porosity of the nanofibrous mats were determined. The presence of black seed oil was investigated by FTIR analysis and the wettability of the surfaces was examined by contact angle measurements. As a result, optimum electrospinning process parameters and the most appropriate black seed oil concentration were determined to produce continuous, uniform and bead-free nanofibers.

Grape seed oil has wound healing activity since contains compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins and linoleic acid. The purpose of this study is formulate emulgel containing grape seed oil with good physical characteristic and observed the wound healing activities of the oil and formulated emulgel. The research was begin with grape seed oil characterization and required HLB determination. The emulgel was made using combination Tween 80 and Span 80 as emulgator and carbomer as gelling agent with variation of oil concentration (10%, 20% and 30%). The formulation then subjected to physical evaluations including organoleptic, pH, spreadability, viscosity and rheology, sterility, and stability tests. Wound healing activity test of selected formula was done on seven groups of male Wistar rats. The emulgel containing grape seed oil with HLB value 8, has good physical, sterility, and stability characteristics. In vivo activity test showed that emulgel containing 20% and 30% grape seed oil have wound healing activity that statistically different compared with control (P0.05).

(1) Background: Thymoquinone (TQ) is the leading compound accounting for the pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa seed oil, also known as black seed oil. This study aimed to analyze the TQ content of commercial black seed oils and black seed oil-containing capsules to obtain information on the quality of the products and to find a promising and safe study medication for a putative clinical study. (2) Methods: Six black seed oils and five black seed oil-containing capsules were analyzed. TQ was quantified using a validated method consisting of a simple methanolic extraction and a fast HPLC-UV analysis. (3) Results: The TQ content varied from 3.08 to 809.4 mg/100 g (mean). The highest TQ content was found in a bottled oil, which might be considered for a clinical study. A dose of 4 mL of this oil per day contains 30 mg TQ, which is unlikely to be harmful. Based on the literature, a safe daily TQ dosage appears to be

Objectives:To comparatively evaluate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), the biologically active main component of volatile oil derived from Nigella sativa seeds, in an experimental dry eye model.Materials and Methods:A total of 36 BALB/c mice 10 weeks of age were used in the study. The mice were divided into 6 groups of 6 mice. Two groups were negative and positive controls, and the other 4 groups were treated with balanced salt solution, fluorometholone (FML), TQ, or vehicle (Tween80). After 1 week of treatment, the mice were killed and the eyes removed for histopathologic examination and cytokine analysis. Interleukin (IL)-1α tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and lactoferrin levels in the conjunctival tissue were measured by multiplex immunobead assay. The presence of inflammatory cells in ocular tissue samples were investigated by hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Inflammatory T cells containing CXT receptor in the conjunctiva were determined by flow cytometry.Results:FLML and TQ groups had less inflammatory cell density and more goblet cells compared to the other groups. High levels of IL-1α and IL-2 were found in the TQ group.Conclusion:TQ treatment was associated with reduced inflammation in pathological examination, but did not significant lower cytokine levels.

Black Seed Oil (BSO), obtained from the seeds of black cumin (Nigella sativa), has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. The present study was aimed to develop a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) of BSO, to improve hypotriglyceridemic and hepatoprotective function. SEDDS-BSO formed fine micelles with a mean droplet size of 183 nm and improved the dispersion behavior of BSO in water as evidenced by at least 2.6-fold higher dispersibility compared with BSO. In the CCl4-treated rat model of acute hepatic injury, SEDDS-BSO (10 mg-BSO/kg, p.o.) led to 91.7% and 86.8% reductions of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, respectively, suggesting that SEDDS-BSO could attenuate hepatotoxicity compared to BSO. In addition, repeated oral administration of SEDDS-BSO (10 mg-BSO/kg, p.o.) for 7 days had a potent hypotriglyceridemic effect on rats with corn-oil-induced hypertriglyceridemia compared to BSO. Therefore, the SEDDS approach might be an efficacious dosage option to enhance the nutraceutical properties of BSO.

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory disease that represents a risk factor for number of diseases including diabetes, steatohepatitis, and cancer. Using safe natural compounds to ameliorate obesity and its related metabolic syndrome is an interesting spot for research. We investigated the regulatory role and the underlying mechanism of black seed oil (BSO) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in rats. The study included two models: the first one aimed to study the prophylactic effect of BSO (BSO administration for 10 weeks along with HFD) while the second one aimed to study the treatment role of BSO (BSO administration starting from the 10th week for 4 weeks along with HFD). BSO significantly decreased insulin resistance and body weight characteristics in both models. It also normalized lipid profile. Moreover, histopathological examination confirmed these results as BSO significantly decreased adipocyte size and hepatic lipid deposition. Besides, BSO alleviated HFD-induced oxidative stress as indicated by significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity and significant decrease in liver malondialdehyde. Moreover, BSO decreased significantly liver gluconeogenic enzymes mRNA expressions (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6- phosphatase) and increased significantly heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid-2- related factor-2 (Nrf2) and insulin receptor mRNA expressions. In conclusion, BSO represents a natural therapy that has the ability to prevent and treat HFD-induced obesity in rats that may be mediated through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway's activation and insulin receptor expression's increase. To our best knowledge, this study represents a novel study that investigates the regulatory role of BSO on Nrf2 pathway in preventing and treating HFD-induced obesity. Practical applications: Black seed oil is a natural available safe supplement, thus it can be used for prevention from obesity and even treatment of obesity and obesity related complications. Introducing of black seed oil in the treatment regimen of obese patients may be promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emulsion based on a combination of highly-valued black seed oil (BSO) and honey shall be introduced as an emerging nutraceutical since the emulsion could be an efficient carrier for bioactive compounds from both. This study aimed to determine effect of BSO, honey, whey protein concentrate (WPC) and their interaction on antioxidant activity (i.e. IC50, the concentration of sample required to scavenge 50% of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals), elastic modulus (G′) and creaming index (CI) of O/W emulsions by means of a response surface methodology. Twenty emulsions were ultrasonically prepared by using various combinations of BSO (10–20%), honey (10–20% and WPC (2–6%) based on a central composite design. Regression analysis (R2 = 0.92–1.00) revealed that a decrease in the IC50 was mainly due to significant (p < 0.05) linear effect of honey and WPC. The quadratic effect of WPC significantly increased the G′ yet decreased the CI. Synergistic effects of BSO-honey on IC50 and G′ were also significant (p < 0.05). However, the antagonistic effect (p < 0.05) of honey-WPC seemed to increase the IC50. By using the fitted quadratic models, the optimized levels of BSO (20.0%), honey (18.2%) and WPC (6.0%) were proposed and predicted to provide the desired emulsion with IC50 = 0.12 mg/ml, G′ = 606.65 Pa and CI = 1.45%. These values were successfully validated with their respective experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glimepiride is characterized by an inconsistent dissolution and absorption profile due to its limited aqueous solubility. The aim of this study was to develop glimepiride tablets using three different manufacturing techniques, as well as to study their quality attributes and pharmacokinetics behavior. Black seed oil based self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) formulation was developed and characterized. Glimepiride liquisolid and directly compressed tablets were prepared and their pre-compression and post-compression characteristics were evaluated. Semi-solid pastes loaded with SNEDDS were prepared and used to develop three-dimensional printing tablets utilizing the extrusion technique. In vivo comparative pharmacokinetics study was conducted on Male Wistar rats using a single dose one-period parallel design. The developed SNEDDS formulation showed a particle size of 45.607 ± 4.404 nm, and a glimepiride solubility of 25.002 ± 0.273 mg/mL. All the studied tablet formulations showed acceptable pre-compression and post-compression characteristics and a difference in their in vitro drug release behavior. The surface of the liquisolid and directly compressed tablets was smooth and non-porous, while the three-dimensional printing tablets showed a few porous surfaces. The inner structure of the liquisolid tablets showed some cracks and voids between the incorporated tablet ingredients while that of the three-dimensional printing tablets displayed some tortuosity and a gel porous-like structure. Most of the computed pharmacokinetic parameters improved with the liquisolid and three-dimensional printed tablets. The relative bioavailabilities of the three-dimensional printed and liquisolid tablets compared to commercial product were 121.68% and 113.86%, respectively. Therefore, the liquisolid and three-dimensional printed tablets are promising techniques for modifying glimepiride release and improving in vivo performance but more clinical investigations are required.

The application of various strategies is being used to manage the Plant diseases. These strategies are used for the management of plant diseases by applying the cultural, genetical, chemical and biological controls. The biological control approaches are getting more importance on account of their less expensive and environmental, friendly usage. Therefore, the research is conducted to evaluate the anti-microbial activity of Nigella sativa seed oil for the management of the most common plant pathogenic gram -ve bacteria pseudomonas and burkholderia. The isolated bacterias are being mentioned here with FCBP reference like Pseudomonas syringae pv syringae (FCBP009), P. Syringae pv populans (FCBP010), P. Syringae (FCBP405), Burkholderia pseudomallei (FCBP036; FCBP350; FCBP460) and B. Glumae (FCBP459) were collected from infected fruit/seed. The above mentioned bacterial strains were examined by using concentrations (10, 40, 60, 100 and 200 ppm) of Nigella sativa seed oil, ampicillin and streptomycin antibiotics. After investigation, the study found that Nigella sativa maximum inhibition (65.0 mm) were recorded at 200 ppm concentration in assessment of B. Glumae (FCBP459) pathogen. Conversely, the minimum inhibition (20.25 mm) were recorded at the similar concentration in assessment of P. syringae pv. syringae (FCBP405). Particularly, the present research observes that the antibiotic drugs use against the above mentioned bacteria have shown the great variation in resistance. This research suggests to use of antibacterial materials from biological origin in managing these disease-causing bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymoquinone (TQ) is the major active compound in black seed oil (BSO). Many pharmacological effects of TQ, such as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, immune stimulator, and anticancer, have been reported. TQ can be considered as a biomarker for BSO, but its content in the commercial products is rarely reported. TQ content varies based on the oil source and extraction method. This study aimed to quantify the TQ content in the commercial BSO products in Malaysia and to evaluate whether the products can be used as a source of TQ for therapeutic benefits. TQ was quantified using an established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. TQ human equivalent dose (HED) was calculated based on reported animal studies from literature, and theoretical BSO amount containing the TQ dose was calculated based on the HPLC analysis. TQ content in the commercial BSO products ranged from 0.07% wt/wt to 1.88% wt/wt. The product with the highest TQ concentration is approximately 27-fold higher than the product with the lowest TQ concentration. Consequently, theoretical BSO amounts needed for specific diseases varied and some products cannot provide practical amount of TQ. This study recommends the regulation of TQ content in BSO and suggests that the BSO might be fortified with extra TQ to be effectively used in some diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]