Evaluation on Cytotoxicity of Ethanolic Extract of Nigella sativa Seed

Introduction: Adverse effects of herbal products have often been ignored apparently due to its common use and acceptance over allopathic. Diverse studies on the medicinal properties of Nigella sativa are easily accessible, nevertheless, very few concerns for its toxicity.
Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate cytotoxicity of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seed (NSEte) at various dose levels. Methods: Three doses of NSEte i.e. 5, 50 and 500 mg/kg bd. wt/day, administered orally for 90 days in Wistar albino rats. Chromosomal aberration and micronucleus test were estimated in bone marrow. Mutagenicity was evaluated through percentage of cellular survival for colony forming units following induction with NSEte in Salmonella typhimurium strains - TA100, TA98 and TA97a at concentrations 0.1, 1 and 10 g/plate.
Results: The mitotic indices revealed no statistically significant variation. There were no changes in number of micronuclei when compared to control. The mutagenic indices were found insignificantly variable when compared to control (MuI<2). Conclusion: It was concluded therefore, that the doses of ethanol extract of Nigella sativa seed used in this study are safe and are highly unlikely to have any adverse effect.

Author(s): Shamshun Nehar*, Prabha Rani, Chandan Kumar, Hena Kauser, Imtiyaz Alam

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