Antioxidant activity, physico-chemical properties, and bioactive compounds of Nigella sativa seeds and oil impacted by microwave processing technique.

Strongly anti-oxidant and medicinal, Nigella sativa L (NS) is utilized in conventional medicine to address a range of illnesses, including gastrointestinal, inflammatory and rheumatic illnesses. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of microwave processing on the physico-chemical properties of Moroccan-grown Nigella sativa seeds and oils, as well as to investigate the antioxidant qualities of black cumin oils under conditions of accelerated oxidation. The study's specific goal was to ascertain the effects of varying microwave power levels (500 and 750 W) and roasting times (5, 10, and 15 min) on the black cumin oils' quality indices, fatty acid and sterol content, carotenoid and chlorophyll levels, mineral profile, tocopherol amount, and overall antioxidant activity. To this end, the seeds of black cumin were roasted at two power levels (500 and 750 W) and for three different periods (5, 10, and 15 min) in a microwave oven. The obtained results show that the duration and the processing power did not significantly influence the amount of sterols and fatty acids. In contrast, the quality indices, physico-chemical properties, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents, mineral profile, and tocopherol amount were influenced by the microwave processing. A significant decline in the antioxidant activity was recorded from 45.01 ± 0.81 % (unroasted cumin seeds) to 4.32 ± 0.91 % (750 W/5 min). Based on these findings, the black cumin oil preparations should be handled carefully and the oil must be protected once extracted. The stability and preservation of antioxidants are crucial steps against pro-oxidant and inflammatory conditions that could favour cellular senescence and accelerate aging processes.

Essential oils from Cuminum cyminum and Laurus nobilis and their principal constituents: evaluation of antifungal and antimycotoxigenic potential in Aspergillus species.

The antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities of the essential oils (EO) from Cuminum cyminum and Laurus nobilis, and their respective principal compounds, cuminaldehyde and 1,8-cineole, were evaluated against fungi of the genus Aspergillus: A. carbonarius, A. niger, A. ochraceus, and A. westerdijkiae. The antifungal activity was determined by the contact method and the mycelial growth of the fungi was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images were obtained to suggest modes of action of the compounds analysed. The antimycotoxigenic activity was determined by high-performance liquid chromatograph. Aspergillus carbonarius was completely inhibited by cumin EO (500 µl l-1), by laurel EO and by cuminaldehyde (5000 µl l-1). The cumin EO (500 µl l-1) completely inhibited the growth of A. niger. All the samples inhibited the mycelial growth of A. ochraceus, especially cumin EO and cuminaldehyde (250 µl l-1). Aspergillus westerdijkiae was completely inhibited by cumin EO and cuminaldehyde (1000 µl l-1), by laurel EO and 1,8-cineole (10 000 µl l-1). A decrease in the production of ochratoxin A (OTA) was observed post-treatment, except in A. ochraceus, only inhibited by laurel EO. SEM images showed morphological changes in fungal structures and spore inhibition post-treatment. The results confirmed the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic effect of EO and their principal constituents on fungi evaluated.

Antibacterial Effects of Black Cumin Seed Oil on Oral Microcosm Biofilms.

Interest in natural extracts for managing oral biofilms is increasing, with black cumin seed oil (BCSO) demonstrating efficacy against Streptococcus mutans. The effectiveness of antibacterial agents should be evaluated using multi-species oral biofilm models that closely mimic actual conditions. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial effects of BCSO and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) on oral microcosm biofilms. Biofilms using human saliva as the inoculum were cultured for 2 days and subsequently treated with 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide, 0.5% BCSO, or 0.12% CHX once daily for 6 days. Following treatment, the red fluorescence intensity (RatioR/G) of the oral biofilm; biomass, including extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) levels and live bacteria counts; and colony-forming units (CFUs) of aciduric bacteria were evaluated. RatioR/G after BCSO treatment (1.26 ± 0.03) was not significantly different from that after CHX treatment (p = 0.552). The EPS levels were also not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.743). The live bacteria count was 0.55 times lower in the BCSO-treated group than in the CHX-treated group (p = 0.018). No significant between-group difference was observed in the CFUs of aciduric bacteria (p = 0.935). These results suggest that BCSO exhibits antibacterial effects similar to those of CHX, highlighting its potential as an effective alternative.

Identification of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) MicroRNAs by Next-Generation Sequencing and Their Implications in Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis.

Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds believed to contribute to the pharmacological properties of plants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in post-transcriptional regulation and are thought to play an important role in regulating secondary metabolism biosynthesis. Nevertheless, the extent of miRNA involvement in secondary metabolism remains minimal. Nigella sativa (black cumin/black seed) is a popular medicinal and culinary plant known for its pharmaceutical properties; however, its genomic information is scarce. In this study, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was employed to obtain the miRNA profile of N. sativa, and their involvement in secondary metabolite biosynthesis was explored. A total of 25,139,003 unique reads ranging from 16 to 40 nucleotides were attained, out of which 240 conserved and 34 novel miRNAs were identified. Moreover, 6083 potential target genes were recognized in this study. Several conserved and novel black cumin miRNAs were found to target enzymes involved in the terpenoid, diterpenoid, phenylpropanoid, carotenoid, flavonoid, steroid, and ubiquinone biosynthetic pathways, among others, for example, beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase, gibberellin 3 beta-dioxygenase, trimethyltridecatetraene synthase, carboxylic ester hydrolases, acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase, isoprene synthase, peroxidase, shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, etc. Furthermore, sequencing data were validated through qPCR by checking the relative expression of eleven randomly selected conserved and novel miRNAs (nsa-miR164d, nsa-miR166a, nsa-miR167b, nsa-miR171a, nsa-miR390b, nsa-miR396, nsa-miR159a, nsa-miRN1, nsa-miRN29, nsa-miRN32, and nsa-miRN34) and their expression patterns were found to be corroborated with the sequencing data. We anticipate that this work will assist in clarifying the implications of miRNAs in plant secondary metabolism and aid in the generation of artificial miRNA-based strategies to overproduce highly valuable secondary metabolites from N. sativa.

Mycobiota, Total Aflatoxins, And Ochratoxin A of Black And Green Cumin.

Because of the medical importance of cumin as well as it being one of the food additives to many Saudi dishes, there was a need to study the fungal load of this type of spice. This study aimed to determine the mycological profile of the retail black and green cumin distributed in different markets at western region, Saudi Arabia, using the dilution plat method on dichloran 18% glycerol (DG18) agar and incubation at 25°C. Using morphological criteria and molecular markers (internal transcribed spacer sequence), 39 species belonging to 18 genera were collected from different black cumin (33 species belonging to 17 genera) and green cumin (25 species belonging to 9 genera). Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Stemphylium botryosum were the most prevalent. Black cumin harbors fungal counts reaching 545 colony-forming units (CFU)/g, while green cumin included 500 CFU/g. Also, the natural occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A was also measured. Seventy-two cumin samples (90% of tested samples) showed toxin contamination. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A ranged from 9.35 to 3.9 PPB in black cumin samples and from 4.08 to 5.75 PPB in green cumin samples.

Dissipation kinetics and risk assessment of residues of combination product of two fungicides, fluxapyroxad, and pyraclostrobin in cumin.

Supervised field trial studies were conducted to understand dissipation kinetics and harvest time residues of a combination product of fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin in cumin plant/leaves and seeds at different locations in India. The results showed initial accumulation of fluxapyroxad at the levels of 15.4 and 20.2 mg kg-1 and pyraclostrobin at the level of 21.2 and 33.4 mg kg-1 in cumin leaves/plant in Anand, Gujarat. Fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin followed zero-order and first-order dissipation kinetics in cumin plant/leaves samples respectively. The residues translocated to cumin seeds. As the hazard quotient (HQ) was <1 in all cases consumer health risk may be negligible.

Nigella sativa L. and its bioactive and nutraceutical components in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetes-induced hyperglycemia leads to excessive production of oxygen free radicals, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress, which initiates diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Currently, this condition affects 20% of adults with diabetes. Despite significant advances in the treatment of diabetes, the incidence of its complications, including DPN, is still high. Thus, there is a growing research interest in developing more effective and treatment approaches with less side effects for diabetes and its complications. Nigella sativa L. (NS) has received much research attention as an antioxidant, anti-yperglycemic factor, and anti-inflammatory agent. This natural compound demonstrates its antidiabetic neuropathy effect through various pathways, including the reduction of lipid peroxidation, the enhancement of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, and the decrease in inflammatory cytokine levels. The present review focuses on the bioactive and nutraceutical components of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and their effects on DPN. In addition, we have also summarized the findings obtained from several experimental and clinical studies regarding the antidiabetic neuropathy effect of NS in animal models and human subjects.

Turmeric-Black Cumin Essential Oils and Their Capacity to Attenuate Free Radicals, Protein Denaturation, and Cancer Proliferation.

Turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa) and black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) are polyherbal ingredients used for the management of cancer and other chronic inflammatory diseases in Nigerian ethnomedicine. Previous studies have shown the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of the individual plant extracts. However, the two spices have not been biologically potentiated in their combined form. Therefore, this study obtained essential oils (EOs) from the combined spices and evaluated their inhibitory effects on free radicals, protein denaturation, and cancer proliferation. The EOs were extracted by hydro-distillation (HD) and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In vitro antioxidant assessment was conducted based on DPPH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), and ferric ion (Fe3+) radical scavenging assays. The cytotoxicity of the oil against non-tumorigenic (HEK293) and cancerous (HepG2 and HeLa) cell lines was determined following the MTT cell viability assay. An in silico molecular docking analysis of the oil constituents was also performed. Six batches of EOs I-VI were afforded, comprising twenty-two major constituents, with aromatic Ar-turmerone being the most prominent compound. There was a marked improvement in the bioactivity of the oils upon repeated HD and as a combination. The batch VI oil exhibited the best activity, with a cytotoxicity (CC50) of 10.16 ± 1.69 µg/100 µL against the HepG2 cell line, which was comparable to 5-fluorouracil (standard, CC50 = 8.59 ± 1.33 µg/100 µL). In silico molecular docking suggested δ-curcumene, Ar-curcumene, Ar-turmerol, and Ar-turmerone among the promising compounds based on their high binding energy scores with NOX2, NF-κB, and mdm2 proteins. In conclusion, the oils from the turmeric-black cumin combined possess a considerable inhibition ability against free radicals, protein denaturation, and cancer proliferation. This study's findings further underscore the effectiveness of turmeric-black cumin as a polyherbal medicinal ingredient.

Combined Effect of Nigella sativa and Kefir on the Live Performance and Health of Broiler Chickens Affected by Necrotic Enteritis.

Coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) are prevalent poultry ailments worldwide, leading to decreased live performance and elevated mortality rates without antibiotic usage. This study evaluated Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds (BCS) and kefir as alternatives to antibiotics for broilers. An in vivo study over a 28-day period, using 384 Cobb 500 male broilers organized into six treatment groups as part of a completely randomized block experimental design was conducted. Each treatment group included eight replicates, with each replicate containing eight birds. The treatments included positive control, negative control, antibiotic control, 5% BCS in feed, 20% kefir in drinking water, and a combination of 5% BCS and 20% kefir. NE was induced in broilers by administering ~5000 oocysts of Eimeria maxima orally on day 14, followed by inoculation with about 108 CFU/mL of Clostridium perfringens (Cp) (strain Cp#4) on days 19, 20, and 21. Live performance metrics including feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion were assessed in broilers. Additionally, NE disease outcomes such as lesion scores, mortality rates, and Cp populations in cecum were determined during the study. The BCS, kefir, and the combination had no detrimental effect on broiler live performance. BCS-treated and combination groups had lower NE scores (p > 0.05) in comparison to the positive control and exhibited no significant difference (p > 0.05) from antibiotic control. Additionally, treatment groups and antibiotic control were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in mortality, whereas the BCS and kefir combination significantly reduced (p < 0.05) mortality to 14.1% compared to 31.3% for the positive control. C. perfringens vegetative cells significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in treatments with BCS, kefir, and their combination on days 22 and 28 compared to the positive control. On day 22, Cp sores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for the kefir and combination treatments compared to the positive control. In conclusion, BCS and kefir successfully reduced C. perfringens infection and mortality without any detrimental impact on broiler live performance with the combined treatment being the most effective. These results suggest that BCS and kefir could serve as potential alternatives to antibiotics in managing NE.

Protection against α-Amanitin-induced liver toxicity: Efficacy of pomegranate seed oil and black cumin oil.

The consumption of mushrooms containing α-Amanitin (α-A) can lead to severe liver damage. In this study, toxicological experiments were conducted to confirm the protective effects of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) and black cumin oil (BCO) against α-A-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats exposed once to α-A (3 mg/kg bw, i.p.) or saline alone (0.1 ml, i.p.) were either left untreated or treated with PSO or BCO at a dose of 2 ml/kg bw/day by oral gavage on the same day, and the treatment was continued for 7 days. Serum aminotransferases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein levels were measured and the active caspase 3 (cl-caspase 3) was evaluated by western blotting in the liver. Serum ALT, AST and ALP levels tended to decrease in the α-A exposed group, but no statistically significant difference was found compared to the saline group (p > 0.05). PSO and BCO did not affect serum liver function tests in rats exposed to saline or α-A. α-A toxicity was demonstrated by a significant decrease in serum total protein level (p < 0.05), a significant increase in liver cl-caspase 3 expression (p < 0.05), and structural liver damage mainly characterized by mononuclear inflammation and steatosis. When α-A exposed rats were treated with BCO, the increase in cl-caspase 3 was not inhibited, on the contrary BCO increased cl-caspase 3 in healthy rats (p < 0.05). PSO significantly ameliorated α-A-induced cl-caspase 3 increase and inflammatory histopathology in the liver. Both PSO and BCO completely prevented α-A-induced protein degradation. The findings indicate that PSO and BCO may protect liver functions against α-A-induced hepatotoxicity, encouraging future comprehensive studies to test them at different doses and frequency.

Evaluation of the qualitative properties of the oil extracted from the mixture of Helianthus annuus and Nigella sativa seeds during heating.

The oil obtained from black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds has many health-effective properties, which is used in food applications and in traditional medicine. One practical method to extract its oil is mixing with other seeds such as sunflower (Helianthus anuus) seeds before oil extraction by press. The effectiveness of the cold-press oil obtained from the mixture of black cumin seeds (BS) and sunflower seeds (SF) in different proportions 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 0:100 (w/w) was studied to evaluate their qualitative properties including peroxide value (PV), acid value, p-anisidine value (AnV), pigments (carotenoid and chlorophyll) content, polyphenols, and profile of fatty acids during heating process (30-150 min at 180 °C). The results revealed that the acid and p-anisidine value of the all samples enhanced with the extension of the heating time, and the peroxide value increased at the beginning of the heating and then decreased with the prolongation of the heating time (p < .05). With the increase of temperature and heating time, the peroxide of sunflower oil increased with a higher slope and speed than that of black seed and blends oil. Changes in the PV and AnV were the fastest in sunflower oil. Blending and heating caused considerable changes in the fatty acid composition of oils, especially myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Moreover, the levels of certain unsaturated fatty acids, namely linoleic, oleic, and linolenic acids declined after heating. The carotenoids, chlorophyll and total phenol content decreased gradually during heating treatments. Among extracted oils, SF:BS (15%) had the good potential for stability, with total phenol content of 95.92 (Caffeic acid equivalents/100 g), PV of 2.16 (meq O2/kg), AV of 2.59 (mg KOH/g oil), and AnV of 8.08 after the heating. In conclusion, oil extracted from the mixture of SF and BS can be used as salad and cooking oils with a high content of bioactive components and positive nutritional properties.

The Influence of Micronization on the Properties of Black Cumin Pressing Waste Material.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of micronization on the characteristics of black cumin pressing waste material. The basic composition, amino acid, and fatty acid content of the raw material-specifically, black cumin pressing waste material-were determined. The samples were micronized in a planetary ball mill for periods ranging from 0 to 20 min. The particle sizes of micronized samples of black cumin pressing waste material were then examined using a laser analyzer, the Mastersizer 3000. The structures of the produced micronized powders was examined by X-ray diffraction. Additionally, the FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectra of the micronized samples were recorded. The measurement of phenolic and antiradical properties was conducted both before and after in vitro digestion, and the evaluation of protein digestibility and trypsin inhibition was also conducted. The test results, including material properties, suggest that micronization for 10 min dramatically reduced particle diameters (d50) from 374.7 to 88.7 µm, whereas after 20 min, d50 decreased to only 64.5 µm. The results obtained using FTIR spectroscopy revealed alterations, especially in terms of intensity and, to a lesser extent, the shapes of the bands, indicating a significant impact on the molecular properties of the tested samples. X-ray diffraction profiles revealed that the internal structures of all powders are amorphous, and micronization methods have no effect on the internal structures of powders derived from black cumin pressing waste. Biochemical analyses revealed the viability of utilizing micronized powders from black cumin pressing waste materials as beneficial food additives, since micronization increased total phenolic extraction and antiradical activity.

Force and power requirement for development of cumin harvester: a dynamic approach.

An experimental setup was developed for simulating the field conditions to determine the force and power required for cutting cumin crops in dynamic conditions. The effect of cutter bar speeds, forward speeds, and blade type on cutting force and power requirement for cutting cumin were also studied. Experiments were carried out at three levels: cutter bar speeds, forward speeds, and blade type. The results showed that all the factors significantly affected cutting force. The cutting force followed a decreasing trend with the increase in cutter bar speed. Whereas it followed an increasing trend with the increase in forward speed. The maximum cutting force for all three blades was observed at a cutter bar speed of 2.00 strokes.s-1 and forward speed of 0.46 m.s-1. The idle power and actual power required for cutting the cumin crop were also determined based on the cutting force. The results obtained were validated by the power drawn from the power source while operating the cutter bar blades. The R2 values for Blade-B1, Blade-B2, and Blade-B3 were 0.90, 0.82, and 0.88, respectively. The cutting force was primarily affected by the cutter bar speed, resulting in PCR values of 74.20%, 82.32%, and 81.75% for Blade-B1, Blade-B2, and Blade-B3, respectively, followed by the forward speed, which also had an impact on PCR values of 16.60%, 15.27%, and 18.25% for Blade-B1, Blade-B2, and Blade-B3, respectively. The cutting force for Blade-B1, Blade-B2, and Blade-B3 varied from 15.96 to 58.97 N, 21.08 to 76.64 N, and 30.22 to 85.31, respectively, for the selected range of cutter bar speed and forward speed. Blade-B1 had 18 and 30% less power consumption than Blade-B2 and Blade-B3, respectively.

Fabrication and Characterization of Chitosan and Gelatin-Based Antimicrobial Films Incorporated with Different Essential Oils.

This study was performed to check the effect of different essential oils on chitosan and gelatin-based antimicrobial films. Films prepared from biopolymers contain better mechanical strength but lack in moisture barrier properties. In order to increase the moisture barrier properties of chitosan and gelatin-based films in the current research work, different essential oils, i.e., thyme, cinnamon, basil, ginger, and cumin, at varying concentrations (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) were incorporated. Moreover, the concentrations of glycerol (plasticizer) and emulsifier (Tween 20) were kept constant to maintain homogeneity in the research. Antimicrobial films composed of gelatin and chitosan infused with essential oils were evaluated for their physicochemical (emulsion stability, particle size, and viscosity), FT-IR, microstructural (scanning electron microscopy), moisture barrier (water vapor permeability), and antimicrobial properties (E. coli, Salmonella, and S. aureus). Study outcomes elucidated significant variations (p < 0.05) as the concentration of essential oil was increased in the film solutions. An increased concentration of essential oil (2.0%) significantly enhanced the moisture barrier properties (1.12 ± 0.03 g.mm/kPa.h.m2). Nevertheless, the tensile strength decreased (38.60 ± 1.4 to 31.50 ± 1.5 MPa) from 1 to 2%. The increase in essential oil concentration in the emulsion-based films also influenced their physicochemical characteristics, such as droplet size, viscosity, and emulsion stability. At lower concentrations (1.0%), films exhibited a uniform microstructure but lacked moisture barrier properties. Antimicrobial properties against E. coli, Salmonella, and S. aureus showed an increased inhibition effect as the concentration of essential oil was increased. Of the essential oil-based films, ginger- and basil-based films showed greater inhibition effects as compared to the other essential oils. Overall, antimicrobial films containing a 1.5% concentration of ginger and basil oil showed better results as compared to the other treatments for mechanical, moisture barrier, and antimicrobial properties, while films with a 2.0% oil concentration showed better antimicrobial and moisture barrier properties but lacked in mechanical properties. Essential oil-based antimicrobial films have prospective applications in foods, specifically in fresh and processed food items such as seafood, meat, chicken, and sausages.

Comparison of the Effect of Cumin Cyminum and Nettle Oral Drops on the Breast Milk Sufficiency Indicators in New Mothers.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and nettle (Urtica dioica L.) oral drops on the indicators of breast milk adequacy in lactating mothers. Due to the presence of phytoestrogens in the combinations of cumin and nettle, it is stipulated that they may have milk-increasing properties. Methods: A triple-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 117 lactating mothers who had given birth to healthy infants aged 10-15 days and who received cumin oral drops (n = 39), nettle oral drops (n = 39) or placebo (n = 39) from August 2020 to March 2021. The participants were recruited from a regional public health care centre affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. The 3 study groups received 15 drops thrice a day for 4 weeks. Infant weight, breastfeeding frequency, number of wet diapers, diaper weight and frequency of infant defecation were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: At the beginning of the trial, no statistically significant differences were observed between the 3 groups for infant weight (P = 0.891), breastfeeding frequency (P = 0.921), number of wet diapers (P = 0.783), diaper weight (P = 0.841) and frequency of infant defecation (P = 0.898). However, following the intervention, the mean scores of all indicators were significantly higher in the experimental groups than in the placebo group (P <0.001). In addition, all the indicators in the cumin group increased significantly compared to those in the nettle group (P <0.001). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of cumin and nettle drops in increasing milk and the availability of these native plants in Iran, it is suggested that they, especially cumin, be used postpartum to increase breast milk production.

Cumin Seed Oil Induces Oxidative Stress-Based Antifungal Activities on Fusarium graminearum.

In this study, the antifungal activity of cumin seed oil (CSO) was tested on Fusarium graminearum. (i) Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and related concentrations (IC75, IC50, and IC25) were detected; (ii) toxicity was evaluated by a water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 (WST-1) assay; (iii) genomic/epigenomic alterations were evaluated by the coupled restriction enzyme digestion-random amplification (CRED-RA) method; (iv) oxidative stress was investigated by CAT expression, catalase activity, and DCF-DA staining; (v) deoxynivalenol biosynthesis was evaluated by tri6 expression; (vi) and potential effects of CSO on wheat were tested by a water loss rate (WLR) assay. MIC, IC75, IC50 and IC25 values were detected at 0.5, 0.375, 0.25, and 0.125 mg mL-1. In WST-1 assays, significant decreases (p < 0.001) were detected. Genomic template stability (GTS) related to methylation differences ranged from 94.60% to 96.30%. Percentage polymorphism for HapII/MspI values were as 9.1%/15.8%. CAT (oxidative stress-related catalase) and tri6 (zinc finger motif transcription factor) gene expressions were recorded between 5.29 ± 0.74 and 0.46 ± 0.10 (p < 0.05). Increased catalase activity was detected (p < 0.05) by spectrophotometric assays. DCF-DA-stained (oxidative stressed) cells were increased in response to increased concentrations, and there were no significant changes in WLR values. It was concluded that CSO showed strong antifungal activity on F. graminearum via different physiological levels.

Exploring the potential of black cumin derived nanovesicles for miRNA drug delivery.

Liposomes is a non-viral vector drug delivery system. Nevertheless, the existing commercial liposomes are quite expensive and not always affordable, particularly in developing countries. To address this challenge, plant-derived nanoparticles offer a cost-effective alternative while maintaining similar drug delivery capabilities. Hence, this study aimed to explore the potential of nanovesicles derived from black cumin (Nigella sativa) as a miRNA delivery system. Gradient sucrose-centrifugation was utilized to separate the nanovesicles derived from black cumin. Subsequently, these isolated nanovesicles, originating from black cumin, underwent centrifugation at a speed of 11,000 rpm. The miRNAs were encapsulated within these nanovesicles through the ethanol injection method. Morphological examinations of the nanovesicles derived from black cumin and DOTAP, as the positive control, were conducted using TEM and SEM. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the nanovesicles derived from black cumin was evaluated through the MTT assay on the MCF-7 cell line. Lastly, the process of internalization for both the black cumin-derived nanovesicles and DOTAP was visualized using a confocal microscope. Results demonstrated the successful isolation of nanovesicles from black cumin using the sucrose gradient method. These particles exhibited a spherical shape with diameters ranging from 100 nm to 200 nm, featuring a negative surface charge. When MCF-7 cells were exposed to black cumin-derived nanovesicles at a concentration of 12 mg/mL, cell viability reached 89.8 %, showing no significant difference compared to the positive control (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the MCF-7 cell line effectively internalized the black cumin-derived nanovesicles after a 45-minute incubation period. Notably, the encapsulation of miRNA within these nanovesicles demonstrated an impressive entrapment efficiency of 76.4 %. Subsequent transfection of miRNA-loaded black cumin-derived nanovesicles resulted in a substantial inhibition of MCF-7 cell viability, reducing it to 67 % after 48 h of treatment. These findings underscore the potential of black cumin-derived nanovesicles as potential nanovectors for the encapsulation and delivery of miRNA within drug delivery systems, offering a cost-effective and accessible solution for advanced drug delivery technologies, particularly in developing country.

An Overview of the Spices Used for the Prevention and Potential Treatment of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks third in terms of cancer-related deaths and is the fifth most commonly diagnosed type of cancer. Its risk factors include Helicobacter pylori infection, Epstein-Barr virus infection, the consumption of broiled and charbroiled animal meats, salt-preserved and smoke-enhanced foods, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, exposure to ionizing radiation, and positive family history. The limited effectiveness of conventional therapies and the widespread risk factors of GC encourage the search for new methods of treatment and prevention. In the quest for cheap and commonly available medications, numerous studies focus on herbal medicine, traditional brews, and spices. In this review, we outline the potential use of spices, including turmeric, ginger, garlic, black cumin, chili pepper, saffron, black pepper, rosemary, galangal, coriander, wasabi, cinnamon, oregano, cardamom, fenugreek, caraway, clove, dill, thyme, Piper sarmentosum, basil, as well as the compounds they contain, in the prevention and treatment of GC. We present the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the effectivity of a given seasoning substance and their impact on GC cells. We discuss their potential effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. For most of the spices discussed, we also outline the unavailability and side effects of their use.

Preparation and Investigation of Sustained-Release Nanocapsules Containing Cumin Essential Oil for Their Bacteriostatic Properties.

Cumin essential oil chitosan nanocapsules (CENPs) were prepared through the ionic gelation method by blending chitosan (CS) with cumin essential oil (CEO) in different proportions (1:0.8, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4). Subsequently, these nanocapsules were characterized and evaluated for their antibacterial properties to determine the optimal cumin essential oil encapsulation and antibacterial efficacy. The outcomes demonstrated that the highest encapsulation efficiency of CENPs was 52%, achieved with a 1:3 CS/CEO ratio. At this point, the nanoparticles had the smallest particle size (584.67 nm) and a regular spherical distribution in the emulsion. Moreover, the CENPs could release the encapsulated CEOs slowly, leading to efficient inhibition of E. coli and L. monocytogenes over a relatively extended period (24-36 h) compared to the CS and CEO. This research offers a promising approach for the use of nanocapsules in food preservation.

Variation in the Composition and Quality of Nigella sativa L. Seed Oils-The Underestimated Impact on Possible Health-Promoting Properties.

Nigella sativa L. (black cumin) is one of the most investigated medicinal plants in recent years. Volatile compounds like thymoquinone and unsaponifiable lipid compounds are crucial functional components of this oil. Unfortunately, the composition of oils and their quality indicators are ambiguous both in terms of identified compounds and value ranges. Thirteen oils were extracted with hexane from black cumin seeds grown in India, Syria, Egypt, and Poland and analyzed for their fatty acid composition, unsaponifiable compound content and volatile compounds. Oils were also subjected to quality tests according to standard methods. The fatty acid composition and sterol content/composition were relatively stable among the tested oils. Tocol content varied in the range of 140-631 mg/kg, and among them, ß-tocotrienol and γ-tocopherol prevailed. Oils' volatile compounds were dominated by seven terpenes (p-cymene, α-thujene, α-pinene, ß-pinene, thymoquinone, γ-terpinene, and sabinene). The highest contents of these volatiles were determined in samples from Poland and in two of six samples from India. High acid and peroxide values were typical features of N. sativa L. oils. To sum up, future research on the medicinal properties of black cumin oil should always be combined with the analysis of its chemical composition.