The in vivo antifungal activity of the aqueous extract from Nigella sativa seeds
Document Type
Article
Department
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Abstract
The effect of an aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds was studied on candidiasis in mice. An intravenous inoculum of Candida albicans produced colonies of the organism in the liver, spleen and kidneys. Treatment of mice with the plant extract (6.6 mL/kg equivalent to 5 mg of estimated protein, once daily for 3 days) 24 h after the inoculation caused a considerable inhibitory effect on the growth of the organism in all organs studied. A 5-fold decrease in Candida in kidneys, 8-fold in liver and 11-fold in spleen was observed in the groups of animals post-treated with the plant extract. Histopathological examination of the respective organs confirmed these findings. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds exhibits inhibitory effect against candidiasis and this study validates the traditional use of the plant in fungal infections.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Phytotherapy Research
Recommended Citation
Khan, M. A.,
Ashfaq, M. K.,
Zuberi, H. S.,
Mahmood, M. S.,
Gilani, A. H.
(2003). The in vivo antifungal activity of the aqueous extract from Nigella sativa seeds. Phytotherapy Research, 17(2), 183-186.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_bbs/671