An Introduction to a Nigella Sativa L. herbal extract:

MELANIN

Adil Haseeb

Physics & Astronomy Department - King Saud University, Dec, 2007

A presentation at Uppsala University – College of Agriculture

The Extraction

Experiment: Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) indicates that:“ * Persistent” Free radicals are present in the seeds-coats

of common herbal plant Nigella sativa L..* The free radicals are attributed to the presence of melanin

Conclusion: Nigella sativa L. )Habat AlBaraka, Black Seed, Black Cumin(

has abundant melanin (~16%)

in the seed coat

melanin is extracted in a pure form using standard chemical procedures.

Botany: The Plant Source Nigella sativa L.

CHEMISTRY: Structure of Melanin Soft Condensed Matter:Melanins are biological macromolecules with many roles in the biosphere including action as photo-protectors and pigments. They have been shown to possess several interesting physical and chemical properties. Paul Meredith: Melanin – Oligomeric Nano-aggregate

Some Literature

1“ .Herbal melanin modulates tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth Factor (VEGF) production ”.

Journal of Phytomedicine 13 (2006) 324–333 .2“ .Effect of melanin extract from black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L) on humoral antibody

response to sheep red blood cells in albino rats “ . Journal of Applied Animal Research 29 (2006): 37-41

3“ .Effect of herbal melanin on IL-8: A possible role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 344 (2006) 1200–1206

4“ .Melanin: The colour of the black seed (Nigella sativa L.)” submitted: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2007.

5“ .Melanin: the secret of the black seed.” (in Arabic) AlFaisal Scientific Magazine 4-3, Nov. (2006)110-143 (in Arabic)

Master Degrees Three awarded: Huda AlFanaKh: Optical properties of melanin -2004

Hafiza AlMurshid: Interaction of melanin with metals -2005 Balgees AlFahad: Electrical Properties of Melanin - 2007

Started: Khalid Alrowaily Nuclear Magnetic and ESR of melanin Gd composites. 2006 Bidoor AlSaif: Laser interactions with melanin 2007.

PHYSICS 1: Electron Spin Resonance (ESR)

PHYSICS 2: Analytical Studies UV-Visible - Conductance – IR – FL:

Photoactivity of Thin Film Dopa Melanin (Electropolymerised)

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BIOLOGY: BIO-IMMUMOLOGICAL ROLE

Properties 1: ( General)

1 .Melanin is an ideal photo-protective agent ; absorbing Ultra Violet (UV) radiation very

effectively .

2 .Melanin is a powerful antioxidant

3 .Melanin is an efficient free-radical scavenger.

4 .Melanin is a metal chelator and drug binder.

5 .Melanin acts as an electron transfer agent promoting

certain chemical reactions.

Properties 2: (Bio-medical)

1 .Innate Immune system boosting via

cytokine modulation.

2 .Anti-acid and anti-ulcer.

3 .Anti-inflammatory. Assisting in wounds’ and

burns’ healing and giving relief against arthritis.

4 .Mimicking effect of LPS on biological systems

Prospective uses 1: Plastics-additivePlastics-additive

1 . Melanin is added to plastics for increasing the durability of the plastics. (Melanin is a UV absorber and a free radical scavenger

2 .Melanin screens by absorbing UV (for use in plastic drug-bottles and plastic containers holding light-sensitive materials.

3 .Melanin has also been blended with transparent eye-glass plastic lenses and soft contact lenses in order to screen short wavelengths which cause early damage to the eye.

)We have recently developed and tested an organic-solvent soluble

melanin-derivative for use as a UV photo-protective plastics additive.(

Prospective uses2:MRI image enhancement

Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) enhancement through the use of a ferromagnetic metal (Gd3+) bound to melanin. (The non-toxic combination is safe to administer to patients. The distinctly different relaxation times of the ferromagnet enhance the MRI picture(.

We have successfully produced the Gadolinium-melanin complex through ion exchange in aqueous solutions of GdCl3

Prospective uses 3Skin protection and cosmetics

1 .As a skin photo-protective material

[ against radiations that cause skin cancers.]

2 .Possible use in all cosmetics: anti aging creams, skin whiteners, hair care, and general body-care .

Prospective uses 4Anti-Ulcer

1 .Application to gastro-intestinal ulcers, prevention and treatment. A possibility of Aspirin co-administered drug (or a single tablet made of melanin-aspirin blends)

2 .Helicobacter P. treatment .)Our preliminary results indicate

effectiveness. A model for mode of action, involving the solubility of

melanin in the ammonia shroud of Helicobacter P., has been proposed.(

Prospective uses 51. Immunological Role

*An immuno-modulating agent. controls cytokines production.

* )Proposed immune-system stimulating action through mucosal gastro-intestinal epithelium response(

Prospective uses 5Antioxidant Melanin

General uses of the antioxidant property of melanin. In biological systems as well as in

some technical applications

.)e.g. Stabilization of oils and fats against heat and radiation. Stabilization of paints emulsions and coatings against

oxidation(.

Prospective uses 6Switching Semiconductor. Bio-polymer conductivity.Dye sensitized solar cells

1 .Applications as semiconductor-insulator switch. As a conductive biopolymer. Conductive polymer. Battery development.

2 .Electron transfer dye for use in dye sensitized solar cells

)Gratzel Solar Cells.(

Two Applications:For Possible Immediate Development

1 .Melanin as an Additive to plastics i- Longer-life plastics

ii- protection of contents in plastic containers.

2 .Magnetic resonance image (MRI) enhancement) Using melanin binding of ferromagnetic Gd3.(+

Other Possible Applications

1 .Herbal Drug Development: Anti-ulcer, Anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting

agent.( These are proven applications in animal models requiring further clinical testing(

3 .Developed nano size melanin particles using home use ultrasonic “vapor” generators.

2 .Melanin-liposome nano-particles: for Use in

Sunscreens & Cosmetics .

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Fundamental biological studies. Role of melanin as a bio-molecular organizer Studies of neuro-melanins.

2 .Fundamental studies on the biologically diverse functions of melanin ( Is melanin a biological organizer? Did it have an

evolutionary pre-enzymatic role as suggested by Prof. E. Barr).

3.How would the presence of melanin affect differentiating biological systems. It interferes with the availability of

molecular and ionic factors affecting a biological process .

2 .Understanding of neurological signal reception and transmission (electrons or solitons) and the functions and role of neuro-

melanins in the nervous system.

Melanin Colours in NatureMost of the colours in nature are due to melanin