Observations on the Biological Effects of Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) and Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Abstract

The biological effect of Black Cumin seed (Nigella sativa; Ns) and Green tea (Camellia sinensis; GT) has been tested using antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic and antioxidant assays. Results showed that Ns and GT have antiviral activity against Infectious Laryngotrachietis Virus (ILTV) at concentration of 35 and 4.22 µM, respectively. Also, both plants protected rats from Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocellular adenoma. Moreover, Ns showed inhibition rate of 80 and 65% at concentration of 80µM, while GT showed respective values of 75 and 45% and 90 µM on Hella and Vero cells. Ns and GT showed marked anti-angiogenic activity on endothelial cells of rat's aorta as well as antioxidant activity by Diphenyl Picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Nitric Oxide (NO) radical inhibition assay and lipid peroxidation assay. Current data augmented the efficacy of Nigilla sativa and green tea as remedies for viral diseases, cancer, angiogenetic disorders and oxidative stress.