Structural Diversity, Spectral Data, and Pharmacological Effects of Genus Nigella

Abstract

Nigella is one of the most studied plants because of its pharmacological properties like anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancerous. In this study, about 20 species of the genus Nigella were reviewed and among them, N. damascene, N. glandulifera, and N. sativa are widely studied for their phytochemical and pharmacological effects. This review describes the phytochemical composition of the genus Nigella, which constitutes many of the compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids. The extracts produced by using different solvents and the isolated compounds displayed a wide range of biological activity. These compounds were identified by different spectral techniques. The spectral detail of some advanced techniques including EIS-MS, UV/VIS, IR, 13 C-NMR, and 1 H-NMR of some important phytoconstituents of Nigella spp. has been compiled for the first time in this review which will be helpful to explore and further investigate the chemical composition of this genus.