Phytochemical Screening and In vivo Antileukemic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Seeds of Nigella Sativa L. on Benzene-Induced Leukemia in Wistar Rats

Nigella sativa is exquisite bounty of nature to humankind. It is an annual flowering plant of family Ranunculaceae majorly found in Southwest Asia, seeds are used as flavor food. The present work was directed to evaluate antileukemic effect of N. sativa seeds extract in benzene-induced leukemia in female Wistar rats. Seed powder was extracted using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol. OECD guidelines 423 were used to study acute oral toxicity study and intravenous injection of benzene was given on every 2nd day up to 21 days to induce leukemia. To assess burden of leukemia, various parameters analyzed are body weight (B.W), organ weight, complete blood picture, serum potassium, phosphate, uric acid, and glutathione. The presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, tannins, phytosterols, and flavonoids is confirmed by phytochemical screening. Acute oral toxicity study found 2000 mg/kg as a safe dose of N. sativa seed extract. Significant decrease in potassium, phosphate, uric acid, WBC, and increase in B.W, glutathione demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of extract in leukemia. Our results confirmed significant antileukemic effect of N. sativa seed extract, suggesting role of this herb for the treatment of malignancies such as leukemia