Evaluation of Antiangiogenic Activity of Nigella sativa Extract by Sponge Implantation Method in Mouse Model

Abstract

Angiogenesis has crucial role in malignant tumor growth. Nigella sativa has been used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments like immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory analgesic etc. The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of N. sativa on angiogenesis in mouse model. The antiangiogenic potential was investigated by sponge implantation method, wherein significant inhibition of blood vessel formation, haemoglobin concentration and VEGF concentration were recorded. Animals (18) were divided in three groups where group I was kept as untreated, group II treated with SU5416 and group III was treated with ethanolic extract of N. sativa. The results were compared with positive control SU5416 and untreated group. By using Cyanmethemoglobin method the mean (±SE) haemoglobin concentrations (μg/mg weight of sponge) in mice were 1.918 ± 0.087 in untreated group, 0.365 ± 0.031 in positive control group, 0.425 ± 0.037 in N. sativa extract treated group. The mean (±SE) VEGF concentration (pg/mg weight of sponge) in groups I to III of mice were 2.369 ± 0.198, 0.562 ± 0.074, 0.675 ± 0.209 respectively. The MVD (±SE) per field from processed sponges in groups I to III of mice were14 ± 2.84, 1 ± 0.36, 3.5 ± 0.764 respectively. The results of the present study suggested that the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds possesses antiangiogenic activity.