Biological, phytochemical, and physico-chemical properties of two commercial Nigella sativa seed oils: A comparative analysis

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate and correlate the biological, phytochemical, and physicochemical properties of twoNSS (Nigella sativa seed) oils (N1 and N2). The biological activity was evaluated in terms of antibacterial, antioxidant (nitricoxide scavenging), antielastase, antityrosinase, antimelanogenic, and anticancer activity. Physicochemical properties includingcolour, total soluble solids (TSS), and density were also investigated. N2 exhibited higher antibacterial, NO scavenging,extracellular antimelanogenic, and anticancer activity against the HeLa cell line compared to N1, which showed higherantityrosinase activity. TPC (total phenolic content) and TFC (total flavonoid content) of N1 were significantly higher thanN2 while TTC (total tannin content) was higher in N2. In fact, TTC was strongly correlated (R=1.000) with the antioxidant,extracellular antimelanogenic, and HeLa cell inhibitory activity. To conclude, NSS oil may be considered as a complementaryand alternative therapy in the management of infectious and chronic diseases but warrants further in vivo pharmacologicalvalidation and toxicological analysis