Neuroprotective effect of Nigella sativa hydro alcoholic extract on serum/glucose deprivation induced PC12 cells death

Introduction: The Serum/Glucose deprivation -induced cell death in cultured PC12 cells represents a useful in vitro model for the study of brain ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders. Nigella sativa L. has been known as a source of antioxidants. To elucidate the neuroprotective actions of N. sativa extract in vitro, we studied the effect of N. sativa extract on cultured PC12 cells under serum/glucose deprivation conditions. Methods: PC12 cells were cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum, 100 units/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin. Cells were seeded overnight and then deprived of serum/glucose for 6 and 18 h. Cells were pretreated with different concentrations of N. sativa extract (7.81-250 μg/ml). Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay. Intracellular ROS production was measured by flow cytometry using 2', 7’-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA). Results: Depriving the PC-12 cells of serum/glucose caused prominent cell toxicity at least after 6 and 18 h. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with N. sativa (7.81-250 μg/ml) could reduce serum/glucose deprivation-induced cytotoicity in PC12 cells after 18 h. The experimental results suggest that N. sativa extract protects the PC12 cells against Serum/Glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Our findings might raise a possibility of potential therapeutic application of N. sativa extract for preventing and treating cerebral ischemic and neurodegenerative diseases.