Mounting evidence support the potential benefits of functional foods or nutraceuticals for human health and diseases. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), a highly valued nutraceutical herb with a wide array of health benefits, has attracted growing interest from health-conscious individuals, the scientific community, and pharmaceutical industries. The pleiotropic pharmacological effects of black cumin, and its main bioactive component thymoquinone (TQ), have been manifested by their ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation, and to promote immunity, cell survival, and energy metabolism, which underlie diverse health benefits, including protection against metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, renal, respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders, cancer, and so on. Furthermore, black cumin acts as an antidote, mitigating various toxicities and drug-induced side effects. Despite significant advances in pharmacological benefits, this miracle herb and its active components are still far from their clinical application. This review begins with highlighting the research trends in black cumin and revisiting phytochemical profiles. Subsequently, pharmacological attributes and health benefits of black cumin and TQ are critically reviewed. We overview molecular pharmacology to gain insight into the underlying mechanism of health benefits. Issues related to pharmacokinetic herb–drug interactions, drug delivery, and safety are also addressed. Identifying knowledge gaps, our current effort will direct future research to advance potential applications of black cumin and TQ in health and diseases.

Nigella sativa seed and its active compounds have been historically recognized as an effective herbal panacea that can establish a balanced inflammatory response by suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting healthy immune response. The essential oil and other preparations of N. sativa seed have substantial therapeutic outcomes against immune disturbance, autophagy dysfunction, oxidative stress, ischemia, inflammation, in several COVID‐19 comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, Kawasaki‐like diseases, and many bacterial and viral infections. Compelling evidence in the therapeutic efficiency of N. sativa along with the recent computational findings is strongly suggestive of combating emerged COVID‐19 pandemic. Also, being an available candidate in nutraceuticals, N. sativa seed oil could be immensely potential and feasible to prevent and cure COVID‐19. This review was aimed at revisiting the pharmacological benefits of N. sativa seed and its active metabolites that may constitute a potential basis for developing a novel preventive and therapeutic strategy against COVID‐19. Bioactive compounds of N. sativa seed, especially thymiquinone, α‐hederin, and nigellidine, could be alternative and promising herbal drugs to combat COVID‐19. Preclinical and clinical trials are required to delineate detailed mechanism of N. sativa 's active components and to investigate their efficacy and potency under specific pathophysiological conditions of COVID‐19.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide, and a close association between acute kidney injury (AKI) and CKD has recently been identified. Black cumin (Nigella sativa) has been shown to be effective in treating various kidney diseases. Accumulating evidence shows that black cumin and its vital compound, thymoquinone (TQ), can protect against kidney injury caused by various xenobiotics, namely chemotherapeutic agents, heavy metals, pesticides, and other environmental chemicals. Black cumin can also protect the kidneys from ischemic shock. The mechanisms underlying the kidney protective potential of black cumin and TQ include antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and antifibrosis which are manifested in their regulatory role in the antioxidant defense system, NF-κB signaling, caspase pathways, and TGF-β signaling. In clinical trials, black seed oil was shown to normalize blood and urine parameters and improve disease outcomes in advanced CKD patients. While black cumin and its products have shown promising kidney protective effects, information on nanoparticle-guided targeted delivery into kidney is still lacking. Moreover, the clinical evidence on this natural product is not sufficient to recommend it to CKD patients. This review provides insightful information on the pharmacological benefits of black cumin and TQ against kidney damage.

Broiler meat is one of the most important protein sources for Bangladeshi people. Food-borne diseases associated with the consumption of poultry meat and its processed products are of public health concern worldwide. An investigation was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of poultry meat from some poultry farms and its health impact on consumer of Nalitabari paurosova, Sherpur district, Bangladesh. Total 15 samples were randomly selected and collected from different poultry farms on the basis of farms level and size. Bacteriological quality of the samples was assessed by following the standard microbiological methods. The health impact was evaluated with the help of semi-structured based questionnaire of 400 peoples. The average value of TVC and TCC were found as 4.3 × 10 6 CFU/g and 3.6 × 10 4 CFU/g respectively. In this study, the prevalence of fecal coliform was recorded as 33% and the presence of E. coli in 53% samples. The mean value of Salmonella spp. of meat samples was 4.6 × 10 3 CFU/g. No Shigella spp., Vibrio spp. and fungal species were detected in any sample. Some selected isolates were tested for their sensitivity against some commercially available common antibiotics used in Bangladesh. E. coli was 80% resistance to Ampicillin and 90% sensitive to Ciprofloxacin whereas Salmonella spp. showed 100% resistance to Ampicillin and 80% sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin. The antibacterial activity of renowned medicinal plant Azadirachta indica was also evaluated against some multidrug resistance bacteria. The inhibitory zone of both 30% methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica was 12 mm and 12.3 mm, where 40% methanolic and ethanolic extracts were 14 mm and 16.3 mm against How to cite this paper: Faruque582Advances in Microbiology E. coli. The 40% ethanolic extract showed the better activity between them.The plant extract has no activity against Salmonella spp.. Awareness and health impact of broiler meat was determined among the people of different sectors on the basis of educational qualification, socio-economic condition, income source, broiler meat intake pattern, BMI range and food related diseases they have suffered. The peoples who eat broiler meat are much more prone to complicated diseases than the peoples who never eat it. So broiler meat intake pattern must be changed for better health. The widespread occurrence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli in poultry meat also reinforces the need for effective control measures.

Water is one of the most vital elements of ecosystem and human being, but unfortunately nowadays, the pollution of surface and drinking water is an alarming problem. The present work deals with the assessment of physicochemical and bacteriological profile of several pond, jar and tube-well water samples to ensure its suitability for using and drinking. Total 30 samples were randomly selected and collected from Nakla Paurosova of Sherpur district by following the standard procedure. Bacteriological analysis was carried out by following the standard bacteriological methods. Most of the surface water sampling points were polluted by dumping of waste, cattle wash and were not suitable for drinking or other domestic purposes. Among three heavy metals, only Iron was detected in six tube-well water samples, one was also positive to arsenic, rest of the water bodies were negative to all of these metals.