Study of antiangiogenic activity of “aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds” in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model

ABSTRACT

Background: Angiogenesis is important for the typical physiological activities such as cure from injury, menstrual cycle and embryo growth. It is also plays a crucial role in several pathological conditions in cancer. Antiangiogenesis, e.g., inhibition of blood vessel growth, is being investigated as a way to prevent the growth of tumors and other angiogenesis-dependent diseases. The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is commonly used as an experimental in vivo assay to study both angiogenesis and antiangiogenesis in response to tissues, cells or soluble factors. Given the high occurrence of cancer worldwide and the major source of the discovery of new lead molecules are medicinal plants. The objective of the present research was to study the antiangiogenic property of “aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds” using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assayMethods: The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay for screening the effect of Nigella sativa on anti-angiogenesis was performed according to the method given by Ribatti and co-workers.Results: The results of present study significantly increased the antiangiogenic effect on CAM by decreasing the proliferation of capillary networks in a dose (50 to 300 µg/egg) dependent manner which is probably related to the inhibition of neovascularization.Conclusions: It is concluded that aqueous extract of N. sativa seeds possesses significant antiangiogenic activity, and this is a possible rationale for its folkloric use as an anticancer agent.