Neuroprotective Effect of the Nigella Sativa L. (Black Cumin) Oil on Nicotine Induced Cell Death

High concentration of nicotine induces cell death in central nervous system which can affect the health of nicotine-exposed people. Some therapeutic properties of Nigella Sativa have been investigated but its protective power against neuron cell death not studied yet. Therefore, we studied the protective effect of Nigella Sativa oil in nicotine-treated PC12 cells.

The cell viability measured by LDH test. TUNEL test was used to show DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. NO production was calculated through Griess reaction. The Rat inflammatory cytokine assay kit was used to measurement of inflammatory cytokines concentrations.

100 mM of nicotine reduced cell viability, and increased cell cytotoxicity, NO production, inflammatory cytokines concentrations, and DNA fragmentation significantly. N. sativa essential oil increased cell viability and decreased cell cytotoxicity, NO production, inflammatory cytokines concentrations, and DNA fragmentation in high concentration nicotine-treated in PC12 cells, respectively.

The main finding of our study was that Nigella Sativa oil suppresses the nicotine-induced cell death in PC12 neuron-like cells. It inactivates the apoptosis process through inhibition of the NO production, and inflammatory cytokines synthesis.