title: Antitumour principles from Nigella sativa seeds.
abstract: The active principle of Nigella sativa seeds containing certain fatty acids was studied for antitumour activities against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC), Dalton's lymphonia ascites (DLA) and Sarcoma-180 (S-180) cells. In vitro cytotoxic studies showed 50% cytotoxicity to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, Dalton's lymphoma ascites and Sarcoma-180 cells at a concentration of 1.5 micrograms, 3 micrograms and 1.5 micrograms respectively with little activity against lymphocytes. The cell growth of KB cells in culture was inhibited by the active principle while K-562 cells resumed near control values on day 2 and day 3. Tritiated thymidine incorporation studies indicated the possible action of an active principle at DNA level. In vivo EAC tumour development was completely inhibited by the active principle at the dose of 2 mg/mouse per day x 10.
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Salomi
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Jayawardhanan
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Panikkar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D012510:Sarcoma 180 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D013936:Thymidine