@article {2505, title = {Phytochemical Analysis and Pro-Melanogenic Activity of Nigella sativa Extract in B16F10 Cells: A Natural Candidate for Vitiligo Treatment}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {June 2025}, pages = {307-313}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {307}, abstract = {

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic depigmentation disorder caused by the selective destruction of melanocytes, with limited effective treatment options, particularly in resource-limited regions. Nigella sativa (black cumin seed, BCS) has traditionally been used for various skin ailments, including pigmentation disorders. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the pro-melanogenic activity of a 96\% ethanol extract of Indonesian BCS (EE BCS) in B16F10 cells. Methods: Phytochemical profiling was performed using gas chromatography{\textendash}mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and thymoquinone (TQ) content was quantified by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cell viability (MTT assay), tyrosinase activity (L-DOPA assay), and melanin content were measured. Results: GC-MS identified 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (E,E) as the predominant compound (45.88\%), while HPLC confirmed a relatively low TQ concentration (0.04\%). EE BCS maintained \>90\% cell viability at concentrations up to 12.50 ppm and exhibited an IC50 of 56.41 ppm. Tyrosinase activity significantly increased at 6.25 ppm (136.40\%; p \< 0.05) and 12.50 ppm (228.10\%; p \< 0.01), accompanied by a significant elevation in melanin content (226.00\%; p \< 0.05 and 266.90\%; p \< 0.01 respectively). Conclusion: EE BCS can effectively promote melanogenesis, despite containing low levels of thymoquinone, potentially through synergistic actions of its phytochemical constituents. Given its region-specific phytochemical richness, Indonesian N. sativa extract holds promise as a natural therapeutic candidate for vitiligo. Further in-vivo and clinical validation is warranted.

}, keywords = {B16F10, Melanogenesis, Nigella sativa, Thymoquinone, Tyrosinase, Vitiligo}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.39}, author = {Dian Pratiwi and Silmi Mariya and Raendi Rayendra and Agus Setiyono} }