USE OF ACTIVE INGREDIENT OF NIGELLA SATIVA TO REDUCE TOXICITY OF SOME TRACE ELEMENTS (FE(III), CR(VI), CU(II), V(IV) AND CO(II))

Abstract

The aim of the present research is to develop a plant-based method to reduce the toxicity caused by high levels of some essential trace elements in the body. In present work some physical properties of the Nigella sativa (NS) seeds were determined and complexation of its principle component thymoquinone (TQ) with some essential trace metals i.e; Fe(III), Cr(VI), Cu(II), V(IV) and Co(II) has been studied using pH-metry. It was observed from pH plots of ligand and complexes that TQ successfully formed complexes with all metals hence could be used as chelating agent in case of toxicity of above mentioned metals. Species distribution curves showed the maximum formation of ML (1:1) complex species of TQ with Fe(III), Cr(VI), Cu(II) and V(IV) within pH 3.00-4.00 and with Co(II) at pH 6.00. But maximum ML2 (1:2) complex specie formation of TQ with Co (II) seems to occur near pH 11.00, whereas with rest of the four metals within pH 7.00-9.00.