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

This study was designed to evaluate and correlate the biological, phytochemical, and physicochemical properties of two NSS (Nigella sativa seed) oils (N1 and N2). The biological activity was evaluated in terms of antibacterial, antioxidant (nitric oxide scavenging), antielastase, antityrosinase, antimelanogenic, and anticancer activity. Physicochemical properties including colour, 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 higher antityrosinase activity. TPC (total phenolic content) and TFC (total flavonoid content) of N1 were significantly higher than N2 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 complementary and alternative therapy in the management of infectious and chronic diseases but warrants further in vivo pharmacological validation and toxicological analysis.