@article {1233, title = {Black Seed (Nigella sativa) Reduced Release of Phthalates Esters from Packing Material to Prepared Cheese}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {April 2024}, pages = {270-274}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {270}, abstract = {

Background: Phthalate esters are chemicals that are widely used as additives to plastic products that are used in wrapped foods. It exerts a negative impact on health, especially the risk of hypertension, diabetes, CVD, endocrine disorders and fertility. Nigella sativa (black seed) is known to be rich in thymoquinone that exerts different biological activities. This study detected ten phthalate esters in different types of cheeses in local markets and laboratory-prepared cheese with black seed or with curd. Materials and Methods: 18 cheese samples (3 samples from 6 types) (mozzarella, qashquan, cheddar, sliced, Hallom and vita) were collected from local markets packaged in plastic containers. In addition, 3 samples of cheese were prepared in in different conditions (under vacuum or with black seed or with curd) wrapped in parchment paper, and stored for one month at 4{\textordmasculine}C. Phthalate esters were extracted, purified by SPE column and then determined by GC/MS. The phthalates were identified according to their retention time compared with standard. Results: Data obtained showed that phthalate esters were found in most samples with higher levels compared with prepared ones (p\<0.01). It was found that the prepared cheese under vacuum-packed showed only four phthalate compounds namely DBP, DIDP DEHA and DNOP at very low concentrations ) 0.02, 0.05, 0.01 and 0.07mg/kg (respectively. While the rest of the compounds were not detected in the sample, either less than the detection limit as BBP, DMP, or not present. While prepared and immersed in curd, it showed the presence of DEHA (0.01 mg/kg) and the other compounds were not detected. However, cheese prepared and wrapped in parchment paper under a vacuum showed the presence of DBP; 0.02, DIDP; 0.05, DEHA; 0.01 and DNOP;0.07 which reflect reduction of phthalates levels compared with local ones. Conclusion: Wrapping products in parchment paper and the addition of Nigella sativa avoid the release of these compounds to the cheese samples and prevent health problems which reflects the role of parchment paper and Nigella sativa as a scavenger for these esters.

}, keywords = {Cheese, Nigella sativa, Packings., Phthalates esters}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.2.34}, author = {Haneen H. Mouminah} } @article {301, title = {Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric Determination of Components of Leaves of Aegle marmelos and Psidium guajava and Seeds of Nigella sativa and Correlation with In vitro Antioxidant Activity}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {April 2018}, pages = {230-235}, type = {Short Communication}, chapter = {230}, abstract = {

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the volatile components of the leaves of Aegle marmelos, Psidium guajava, and seeds of Nigella sativa, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) and correlate with their in vitro antioxidant activity. Materials and Methods: Plant material was analyzed for heavy metal content (HMC), pesticide residue (PR), and the presence of microbes/ fungi. Following hydrodistillation, the volatile components (AM, PG, and NS) were subjected to GC-MS analysis and in vitro antioxidant assay (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Results: The plant material passed the test for HMC, PR, microbial, and fungal contamination. Using GC-MS, the number of compounds identified in AM, PG, and NS were 62, 46, and 58, respectively. The antioxidant activity of AM, PG, and NS was 98.538\%, 98.955\%, and 97.755\%, respectively. Conclusion: GC-MS-based methods can be successfully utilized for phytochemical profiling and standardization of plant material.

}, keywords = {Aegle marmelos, Antioxidant activity, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric, Nigella sativa, Psidium guajava, Volatile compounds}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_93_17}, author = {C. V. Jayachandran Nair and Sayeed Ahamad and Washim Khan and Varisha Anjum and Rajani Mathur} } @article {937, title = {A Comparison of the Cytotoxic Potential of Standardized Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of a Polyherbal Mixture Comprised of Nigella sativa (seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (roots) and Smilax glabra (rhizome)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {2}, year = {2010}, month = {January 2011}, pages = {335-342}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {335}, abstract = {

Background: A decoction (hot-water extract) comprised of Nigella sativa (seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (roots), and Smilax glabra (rhizome) has been reported to prevent chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenic changes in rats and to exert significant cytotoxic effects on human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. However, the decoction used in previous studies to determine cytotoxicity was not standardized. Further, during preparation of pharmaceuticals for clinical use, it is more convenient to use an ethanolic extract. Therefore this study was carried out to (a) develop standardized aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant mixture (N. sativa, H. indicus, and S. glabra) used in the preparation of the original decoction, and (b) compare the cytotoxic effects of these two extracts by evaluating cytotoxicity to the human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line. Methods: Aqueous and ethanolic extracts have been standardized by evaluating organoleptic characters, physicochemical properties, qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical constituents, and analysis of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) profiles. Cytotoxic potentials of the above standardized extracts were compared by evaluating their effects on the survival and overall cell activity of HepG2 cells by use of the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl) -2, 5 - biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assays. Results: Results from MTT and SRB assays demonstrated that both extracts exerted strong dose-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells. The standardized aqueous extract showed a marginally (though significantly, P\<0.05) higher cyotoxic potential than the ethanolic extract. Thymoquinone, an already known cytotoxic compound isolated from N. sativa seeds was only observed in the standardized ethanolic extract. Thus, compounds other than thymoquinone appear to mediate the cytotoxicity of the standardized aqueous extract of this poly-herbal preparation. Conclusion: It may be concluded that results obtained in the present study could be used as a diagnostic tool for the correct identification of these aqueous or ethanolic extracts and would be useful for the preparation of a standardized pharmaceutical product that may be used in the future for clinical therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

}, keywords = {cytotoxicity, Hemidesmus indicus, MTT and SRB assays, Nigella sativa, Smilax glabra, Standardization}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.75451}, author = {Sameera R Samarakoon and Ira Thabrew and Prasanna B Galhena and Dilip De Silva and Kamani H Tennekoon} }