Nigella sativa (black seed) safety: an overview

Abstract

Nigella sativa (commonly known as black seed or black cumin), from the family Ranunculaceae, is a plant that grows in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This narrative review discusses the toxicological profile reported by short- to long-term studies that examined different extracts and oils of N. sativa seeds. Scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using appropriate keywords. LD50 for administered N. sativa seed fixed oil varied from 28.8 mL/kg to 3,371 mg/kg in mice, while 21 g/kg of aqueous, methanol, and chloroform extracts of N. sativa did not lead to any mortality. Subacute toxicity evaluations indicated that aqueous, methanol, and chloroform extracts of N. sativa at doses as high as 6 g/kg do not produce toxicity. Investigation of chronic toxicity found that 2 mL/kg of N. sativa fixed oil is slightly toxic. Cytotoxicity studies indicated that N. sativa chloroform and petroleum ether extracts are more cytotoxic than its other extracts. Although studies that assessed N. sativa toxicity generally introduced it as a safe medicinal herb, to draw a more definitive conclusion on its safety, more detailed studies must be conducted.

Repeated 28-Day Oral Toxicological Study and Gastroprotective Effects of Nigella sativa L. Oil (Shuhada) against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats

“…The toxicological profiles of BSO have also been studied [ 25 ]. Our study used different BSO planting sites and oil extraction methods than previous studies.…”

Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) in Inflammatory Disorders: Therapeutic Potential and Promising Molecular Mechanisms

“…Table 1 demonstrates different compounds that have been identified in BCS. Studies that evaluated the toxicity of BCS typically described it generally as a safe therapeutic plant as it has a broad safe margin [49][50][51]. In animal models, TQ exerted a median lethal dose (LD50) of 2.4 g/kg in acute oral administration in mice, while in sub-chronic administration, a cytoprotective effect was revealed in mice that received 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03% of TQ in their drinking water, with no signs of toxicity or morbidity [52].…”

Formation of Nigella Sativa L. seed oil nanoemulsion‐based delivery systems by sonication: Factors affecting particle size and stability

“…Honey and Nigella sativa L. oil can be used in formulations of various foods due to the presence of nutrients. Nigella sativa L. oil, a bioactive compound in multiple foods and beverages, is limited due to its low water solubility and bioavailability (Mashayekhi‐Sardoo et al, 2020).…”