Nigella sativa (Kalonji): A Black Seed of Miracle

Abstract

It is recommended by the World health organization (WHO) that most of the world's population depends on herbal medicine for their health care. Nigella sativa is commonly known as a Black seed, Black cumin or 'Habbatul Barakah' i.e. an annual herb possessing a wide range of medicinal uses apart from its commercial significance as a spice yielding plant. It has long been used in the folk medicine system of the Arabian Gulf region, Far East Asia, and Europe. Seeds and oils of N. Sativa are the primary medicinal source from ancient times. It is one of the most common herbal plants used worldwide and possesses various chemical constituents such as thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, nigellicine, carvacrol, nigellicine, nigllimine, nigellidine, and alpha-hederin. There are more than 100 constituents isolated from the plant. These chemical compounds have many pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, wound healing effect and also for acne vulgaris, skin cancer, pigmentation and many other cosmeceutical properties. Much scientific research on N. sativa has been conducted over the last five decades to investigate chemical and pharmacological properties. In this review, the phytochemicals, pharmacological properties, Ayurvedic properties and folk uses of Nigella sativa are briefly explained. Keywords: Nigella sativa, Kalonji, Antinephrotic, Immunomodulary, Black cumin.

Exploring the inhibitory potential of Nigella sativa against dengue virus NS2B/NS3 protease and NS5 polymerase using computational approaches

“…48,49 HCV-RNA was undetectable in 195 HCV patients who received N. sativa and chloroquine combination treatment, according to an initial trial. 50–53 The current study attempted to investigate the antiviral potential of selected phytochemicals such as apigenin, 54 nigellicine, thymohydroquinone, 55 nigellicine, dithymoquinone, 55 nigllimine, and nigellidine, that have been tested in vitro to possess antiviral potentials.…”

“…Various chemical constituents of N. sativa have been identied, including dithymoquinone, -pinene, -pinene, thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, thymol, nigellicine, carvacrol, p-cymene, nigellicine, nigllimine, nigellidine, alpha-hederin, and limonene. (Thakur et al 2021; 50 Kabir et al 76…”

Dermaceutical Utilization of Nigella sativa Seeds: Applications and Opportunities

“…As per the Islamic literature, this healing moiety has been recommended for use on a regular basis in Tibb-e-Nabwi (Prophetic Medicine). According to the Unani Tibbs system of medicine, the herb is a valuable remedy for several diseases 5 . The famous book of medicine "The Cannon of Medicine" by Ibn-Sina mentioned that black seeds stimulate the body's energy and help in recovery from fatigue 7 .…”

“…Nigella sativa L. belonging to the family Ranunculaceae secures a special place in diverse traditional systems of medicine like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda and Siddha [5].…”