Effect of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid on antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid compounds in Nigella sativa cell culture

The purpose of this investigation was to induce callus and produce cell suspension from the well-known medicinal plant Nigella sativa (Black seed). Subsequently, the effects of salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate elicitors were investigated on their antioxidant content and potency.

Callus was prepared from the cotyledonary leaves of the plant. Then, cell suspension culture was established using appropriate callus. The cells were treated with salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate elicitors and the content of total phenol and carotenoids was measured. Antioxidant potency was measured by the FRAP method.

The results showed that the treatments had no significant effect on the fresh weight of callus but the dry weight of callus was significantly reduced by treatment with salicylic acid. The highest amount of total phenol was observed in callus culture and salicylic acid-treated cell suspension. Treatment of cell suspension with both elicitors significantly increased the amount of flavonoids. The treatments resulted in a significant increase in the antioxidant capacity of the cell suspension, which was less in the methyl jasmonate treatment.

According to the obtained results, it seems that in the cell suspension of N. sativa salicylic acid induces a greater response than methyl jasmonate, which leads to extra induction of antioxidant properties.