Folia Biologica
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Charles University 

Nigella sativa black cumin oil (BCO) exhibits well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; however, the impact of extraction-related compositional variation on its cellular and molecular effects in stem cell systems remains insufficiently characterized. This study investigated the effects of cold-pressed (CP) and supercritical CO₂ (ScCO₂)-extracted BCO on the viability, inflammatory response and angiogenic potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The oil composition and antioxidant activity were assessed using GC/MS and DPPH assays, respectively. ASCs were treated with different volumes of BCO, and cell viability was evaluated at 24, 48 and 72 h using the MTT assay. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by real-time PCR analysis of IL6 and IL10 mRNA expression, while angiogenesis-related molecular responses were evaluated based on VEGF mRNA expression. Both CP and ScCO₂-extracted BCO significantly increased ASC viability in a volume-dependent manner, with the highest viability consistently observed at 100 µl (P < 0.05). Treatment with 50 µl and 100 µl of either oil significantly reduced IL6 expression and concomitantly increased IL10 expression at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.05). VEGF expression was also significantly up-regulated at these time points, with ScCO₂-extracted BCO inducing a more pronounced and sustained angiogenic response (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that BCO enhances ASC via­bility and molecular responses in a volume-dependent manner, while differences associated with extraction-related compositional variation may modulate inflammation- and angiogenesis-related molecular signalling in ASCs.

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