Medicinal benefits of Nigella sativa in bronchial asthma: A literature review

Abstract

L. (NS) seeds, known as black seed, is a spice and a traditional herbal medicine used in various diseases including bronchial asthma. This review aimed to assess the studies supporting the medicinal use of NS in asthma and to highlight future research priorities. Various medical databases were searched for the effects of NS and its active secondary metabolites in asthma inflammation and outcomes. There were fourteen preclinical studies describing multiple effects of NS in animal or cellular models of asthma including bronchodilation, anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory, anti-leukotrienes and immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, seven clinical studies showed improvements in different asthma outcomes including symptoms, pulmonary function and laboratory parameters. However, often these studies are small and used ill-defined preparations. In conclusion, NS could be therapeutically beneficial in alleviating airway inflammation and the control of asthma symptoms, but the evidence remains scanty and is often based on poorly characterised preparations. Accordingly, well-designed large clinical studies using chemically well characterised NS preparation are required.

Thymoquinone attenuates phosphorylation of AKT to inhibit kidney cancer cell proliferation

“…Nigella sativa , of Middle East, is widely used in traditional medicine. The herb finds applications in treating diseases like diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and gastrointestinal problems (Koshak, Koshak, & Heinrich, ; Mahboubi, Kashani, & Mahboubi, ; Padhye, Banerjee, Ahmad, Mohammad, & Sarkar, 2008). Thymoquinone or Tq (Figure a) is the active constituent derived from the essential oils of N. sativa (Banerjee et al, ).…”

Improvement of Th17/Treg balance and Asthma Control Test score by Nigella sativa supplementation in asthmatic children: a new approach to managing asthma

“…[7] In several preclinical and clinical studies, Nigella sativa showed positive effects on clinical and biochemical markers of asthma inflammation. [8] The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa on Th17/Treg balance, and improvement of asthma control in children with asthma. Furthermore, Nigella sativa and its potent immunomodulatory effect may be used as therapeutic agents in conjunction with standard treatment in asthmatic patients.…”

Ethanol extract of Nigella sativa has antioxidant and ameliorative effect against nickel chloride-induced hepato-renal injury in rats

“…The seed is a common food additive in Middle Eastern and South Western cuisines and has been used since antiquity in traditional medicine for treating illness and improving physical performance [18][19][20]. It has been reported in traditional pharmacopoeia against wide range of ailments including, bronchitis, skin diseases, rheumatism, diarrhoea, headache, fever, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, asthma and fatigue [21][22][23][24]. The seed and oil are also used for the treatment of disorders of the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and excretory and immune system [25].…”