Cytotoxic and immunopotentiating effects of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa L. seeds

In-vitro cytotoxic screening of extracts of Nigella sativa L, seeds (Ranunculaceae) indicated cytotoxicity in the ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) against different classes of cancer cell lines, P388, Molt4, Wehi 164, LL/2, Hep G2, SW620 and J82, as measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The ethyl-acetate column chromatographic fraction (CC-5) showed selectivity against Hep G2, Molt4, and LL/2. CC-5 was relatively non-toxic against human umbilical cord endothelial cells at 50 mu g/ml. CC-5 had no stimulatory effect on mouse splenocytes as such. CC-5 and water fraction, however, enhanced the proliferative response in the presence of ConA (3 mu g/ml), but not LPS (1 and 6 mu g/ml). These data indicate that CC-5 possesses a potent cytotoxic effect as well as a potentiating effect on the cellular immune response. The mechanism whereby it produces this needs to be resolved. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.