In vitro evaluation of black cumin oils obtained by different methods

Black cumin is one of the herbs that has been used for treatment for centuries. Black cumin seeds and its components; it has antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antitumoral, antihistaminic, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, and immune system strengthening properties. Black cumin oil obtained from Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena species grown in our country is used against lung cancer among the people. In this study, the effects of black cumin oil obtained from Nigella sativa and Nigella damascena species by cold pressing (SK) and supercritical extraction (SFE) methods and thymoquinone, the active ingredient of black cumin, on A549 (non-small cell human lung cancer cell) cells were investigated. MTT, LDH and caspase-3 tests were investigated comparatively. It was observed that the increase in the dose amount of thymoquinone on A549 cells caused a decrease in cell viability and caspase-3 activity was effective in this process. It was determined that Nigella sativa and Nigella damascena oils caused a decrease in cell viability depending on the dose increase, but had no effect on caspase-3 activity. It was determined that Nigella sativa SK oil was more effective than Nigella sativa SFE in terms of its effect on cell viability. The effects of Nigella damascena SK and Nigella damascena SFE on cell viability were determined to be close to each other. Although the effects of thymoquinone on A549 cells are promising, the effects of seed oils of Nigella sativa and Nigella damascena plants on lung cancer are also promising.