Effect of Nigella sativa seeds extracts on iNOS through antioxidant potential only: crude/total extract as molecular therapy drug.

There is general belief that only pure phytomolecules may be used as molecular therapeutic agent through one to one action. However, the traditional systems of medicine e.g. Ayurveda, uses the crude extracts, mostly water decoctions and oils, as drug. A comparative study of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of N. Sativa seeds has been carried out on fresh rat-peritoneal-macrophage culture with reference to their role on various targets of lipopolysaccharide induced release of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. The results indicated significant antioxidant potential with methanolic extract as most effective. Its mechanism of action was proposed primarily through its antioxidant potential and not through direct inhibition of other kinases, involved in its signaling cascade.