Investigation of Cell Viability, VEGF-A Gene Expression and Rate of Programmed Cell Death in AGS Cell Line-Treated with Black Cumin (N. sativa) Seeds Oil Extract

Background[d۱]  and Objective: Cancer is a prevalent disease that occurs due to genetic and environmental factors. Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world and also in Iran. N. sativa has been used as a drug in the treatment of many diseases owing to its valuable secondary metabolites such as thymoquinone.  In this study, the anti-cancer properties of black seed extract on gastric cancer cells was studied and the seeds oil was evaluated for possible drug use. Materials and Methods: Stomach gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line was cultured and treated with various concentrations of N. sativa seed soil for ۲۴ hours. Consequently the cytotoxic effect of the extract on the cell line was determined using MTT assay while the rate of apoptosis was determined by Annexin V and Flow cytometry and finally, VEGF-A expression was determined by Real-Time PCR.       Results: Black seed oil treatment significantly reduced cancer cell proliferation compared to control cells. This treatment also led to an increased rate of programmed cell death. However, Black seed oil treatment had no effect on the expression of VEGF-A.   Conclusion: Extract of black seed has a positive impact on reducing proliferation and elevating apoptosis in cancer cells.

Keywords:

AGS cell line , Stomach Cancer , Black seed , Angiogenesis , Apoptosis