Effects of black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts on aluminum induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human lymphocyte culture

Aluminum is the most abundant metal and the third commonest chemical element on the Earth. It is known that aluminum is toxic and related to some pathogenic disorders, especially neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer. However, the mechanisms of action are not well understood. In several in vitro studies, aluminum has been shown to induce DNA damage, chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei and sister-chromatid exchanges and there is an association between aluminium and oxidative stress. It is known that black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts have antioxidative properties. In the present study, we evaluated that whether Nigella sativa extract (NSE) and Allium sativum extract (ASE) have protective effects against aluminium induced genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on human lymphocytes in in vitro conditions. The antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of NSE and ASE induced by aluminum cloride in human mononucleer leukocyte were evaluated by using Alkaline Single Cell Electrophoresis (Comet Assay), Micronucleus Test, Apoptosis (Annexine-V FITC Assay Kit), Methyl Thiazol Tetrazolium (MTT) test and DNA Fragmentation Analysis. In order to determine oxidative status of NSE and ASE we evaluated Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS). We also evaluated total flavonoid and total fenol levels in both extract. Finally, we demonstrated that aluminum has cytotoxic and genotoxic effects at concentration of 100 µM and both NSE and ASE have anti-genotoxic and anti-cytotoxic effects against to aluminum toxicity at lower concentrations. However, they have cytotoxic and genotoxic effects at higher concentrations. Keywords: Aluminum, Nigella sativa, Allium sativum, Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity