Evaluation of anti- cancer and antioxidant properties of nanoemulsions synthesized by Nigella Sativa L. tincture

Objective(s): Today, the use of medicinal plants for treating cancer is extremely important. Over the past few years, the anti-cancer properties of Nigella Sativa L. have been proven. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, the cytotoxic effect of a nanoemulsion synthesized using N. Sativa L. tincture, against a cancerous cell line as well as its and free radical scavenging activities.Materials and Methods: The size and zeta potential of the nanoemulsion were determined using particle size analyzer and morphological shape of nano emulsion was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antioxidant activity of nanoemulsions was investigated by the DPPH assay. Cytotoxic effects of the nanoemulsions were assessed by MTT method against A2780 ovarian cancer and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as normal cells. To evaluate the probable molecular mechanism of cell death, acridine orange and propidium iodide staining methods were used for identifying apoptotic cells. Results: The results obtained from this study showed that the synthesized nanoemulsion had a good and dose-dependent radical scavenging capacity in the DPPH assay (IC50 of about 47μg/ml). Also, the nanoemulsion significantly reduced the bioavailability of A2780 cancerous cells (IC50 of 0.72 μg/ml); however, its toxicity against HUVEC cells was much lower (IC50 > 25 μg/ml). The pro-apoptotic effect of the produced nanoemulsion was confirmed by acridine orange and propidium iodide staining.Conclusion: Nano emulsions synthesized by N. Sativa L. tincture has a relevant potential antioxidant and anticancer effects and therefore they can be considered and studied as anticancer compounds in future experiments.