Screening of Thymoquinone Content in Commercial Nigella sativa Products to Identify a Promising and Safe Study Medication

Abstract

(1) Background: Thymoquinone (TQ) is the leading compound accounting for the pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa seed oil, also known as black seed oil. This study aimed to analyze the TQ content of commercial black seed oils and black seed oil-containing capsules to obtain information on the quality of the products and to find a promising and safe study medication for a putative clinical study. (2) Methods: Six black seed oils and five black seed oil-containing capsules were analyzed. TQ was quantified using a validated method consisting of a simple methanolic extraction and a fast HPLC-UV analysis. (3) Results: The TQ content varied from 3.08 to 809.4 mg/100 g (mean). The highest TQ content was found in a bottled oil, which might be considered for a clinical study. A dose of 4 mL of this oil per day contains 30 mg TQ, which is unlikely to be harmful. Based on the literature, a safe daily TQ dosage appears to be <48.6 mg per adult. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that black seed products should be regulated regarding TQ content to enable consumers to buy black seed food supplements of known content for the maintenance and improvement of health.

Schwarzkümmelsamen: wirksam bei Allergien?

“…Ein wirkstoffreiches Präparat ist aber Voraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Behandlung. Bei Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln mit Schwarzkümmel sollte daher der Thymochinongehalt deklariert werden und die Tagesdosis bis zu 30 mg betragen 3 .…”

Mit Schwarzkümmel gegen SARS-CoV-2

“…Dies entspricht < 50 mg/d TQ für einen Erwachsenen [18]. Eigene Untersuchungen zeigten, dass kommerzielle Schwarzkümmelpräparate im Allgemeinen nur wenig wirksamkeitsmitbestimmendes Thymochinon enthalten [11]. Ein wirkstoff-reiches Präparat ist aber Voraussetzung für positive Effekte bei der Behandlung von SARS-CoV-2 und Krebserkrankungen.…”

“…Ein wirkstoff-reiches Präparat ist aber Voraussetzung für positive Effekte bei der Behandlung von SARS-CoV-2 und Krebserkrankungen. Bei Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln mit Schwarzkümmel sollte daher der TQ-Gehalt deklariert werden und die Tagesdosis mindestens 30 mg TQ betragen [11].…”

Black Seeds

“…199 More recently, it was estimated that a safe daily dose of TQ is ≤48.6 mg/d for those adults desiring to consume commercial NS products. 200 It should be noted also that caution may be warranted when considering oral use of NS as a galactogogue, as sometimes practiced in India and Iran. No scientifically valid clinical trials support this use in humans.…”

“…Similar outcomes were reported in another human study in which NS oil (2.72% TQ) was administered to 3 groups of subjects at doses of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mL/d for 21 days 199 . More recently, it was estimated that a safe daily dose of TQ is ≤48.6 mg/d for those adults desiring to consume commercial NS products 200 …”