Ameliorating Action of Nigella Sativa Seed Extract Against the Genotoxic Effect of Chlorambucil in Human Lymphocyte Cultures

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro anti genotoxic effect of Nigella sativa L. seed extract (NSSE). Nigella sativa L. (black cumin; kalonji) has been evaluated in animal studies. There are many reports on its biological activities including antihypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-tumour and as immunomodulator. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effect of NSSE in reducing the Chlorambucil (CLB) induced free radical damage using human peripheral lymphocyte chromosome aberration test in vitro. The results of treatments with NSSE indicated that it statistically significantly decreases the number of chromosome aberrations induced with CLB, but it can not completely protect cells from damage. The test concentrations of NSSE (10 and 15 mg/ml) had a limited antimutagen effect on CLB (1, 2.0 and 3.0 g/ml), which can cause genetic damage through free radical mechanisms. NSSE showed the most efficient anticlastogenic effect during simultaneous treatment with CLB. The result further strengthened the findings about the protective and antigenotoxic properties of NSSE.