Munira Momin et al., (2013) Int. J. Res. Phytochem. Pharmacol.

, 3(2), 78-84

ISSN: 2231-010X
ReviewArticle

www.ijrpp pharmascope.org

Nigella Sativa: Blessed Seed

1

Munira Momin* , Sadaf Momin , Suvarna Kurhade , MohibKhan , Kishor Butte

Department of Pharmaceutics, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, India

Departent of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, India

ABSTRACT
The object of this review is to provide a brief summary of the current knowledge of the therapeutic effects
of Nigella sativa. Recently, alternative medicine has received more attention since various naturally occurring
compounds have been proved at preclinical or clinical stage to work effectively as therapeutic agent for variety of
disorders. This review covers possible details on pharmacognosy and pharmacology of Nigella sativa. Most of the
potent and fruitful activity of Nigella Sativa resides in its oil content, fixed oil and volatile oil constituents. Extensive studies on this blessed seed have been carried out by quite a few Middle Eastern countries laboratories as
well as Indian laboratories. The oil contents have shown beneficial activities such as anti-diabetics, hematology,
hepatic, anti-cancer, antibacterial, gastoprotective, analgesic, blood pressure, estrogenic activity, wound healing
activity etc. The promising scope of this seed needs more attention in terms of formulation development in future.
Keywords: alternative medicine; cure of all; promising scope
INTRODUCTION
Nigella sativa commonly known as black cumin belonging to botanical family Ranuculaceae (Buttercup) (kumar, 2006). This herb is mentioned in holy Quran, It
was said by Prophet Muhammad use of the black seed
for indeed, it is remedy for all disease except death
however today it is well known in Central and South
Asia, Western countries and the seeds are used in food
for condiment in curries, to improve digestion and
produce warmth, especially in cold climate (Nodkanis,
1982)They are used as nutritional supplement and
energy source for centuries since it has rich nutritional
value and used to treat respiratory conditions like
bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. In addition, it is
used to support stomach and intestinal health as well
as kidney and liver function. Nigella sativaseed is
thought to have antihistamine-like properties that
make it useful in treating congestion and it is widely
used as a general tonic to boost immune function and
to help prevent cancer. Several skin conditions can be
treated with black cumin seed, and it is also used to
enhance circulation. Several scientific studies are also
being conducted regarding the efficacy of whole plant
or its part for the treatment of different diseases. Nigella Sativa contains a number of chemical constituents that interact in a complex way to elicit their

* Corresponding Author
Email: munira_momin@yahoo. com
Contact: +91-9619605110
Received on:07-03-2013
Revised on: 10-03-2013
Accepted on: 10-03-2013
78

pharmacodynamic response which have been isolated

and characterized (Tahir, 2006; Nickavar 2003). The
present review summarizes the available literature on
isolation of phytoconstituents, biological activities of
the isolated compounds and pharmacological actions
of extracts along with the clinical studies (Wiliamsone,
2002).
PLANT DESCRIPTION (MORPHOLOGY)
Nigella sativa belonging to Family Ranunculaceae. It
grows up to 45 cm in height with 2.5-5.0 cm long, linear-lanceolate leaves. The flower are delicate and
usually colored pale blue and white with 5-10 petals
2.0-2.5 cm across, solitary on long penduncles. The
fruit is large and inflated capsule composed of 3-7
united follicles, each containing numerous seed. The
seeds are flattened, oblong and angular, funnel shaped
0.2 cm long and 0.1 cm wide, black in color. Flowering
and fruiting occur from January to April. It is generally
cultivated on dry soil between November to April and
seed take about 10-15 days to germinate. It can also be
propogated from the callus culture in vitro from leaf,
stem and root explants from aseptically grow seesling.
The seed are small dicotyledonous, trigonus, angular,
regulose-tubercular, 2-3.5 x1-2 mm, black externally
and white inside; odour slightly aromatic and taste
bitter (Nodkanis, 1982; Rajsekhar et al., 2011).
Microscopy: The microscopy study of Nigella Sativawas
carried out in which the transverse section of seed
showed epidermis and endosperm. The transverse
section of the seed shows single layer consisting single
layered consisting of elliptical, thick walled cells covered externally by a papillas cuticle, filled with reddish
brown content; epidermis followed by 2-4 layers of

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MuniraMomin et al., (2013) Int. J. Res. Phytochem. Pharmacol., 3(2), 78-84

thick walled, tangentially elongated; parenchymatous

cells, followed by a pigmented layer composed of tangentially elongated, cylindrical thick walled cells filled
with reddish brown pigment. Below pigmented layer,
parenchyma composed of thick walled, rectangular,
radially elongated cells, present in a layer. Endosperm
consist of moderately thick walled, rectangular to polygonal cells, a few filled with oil globules and starch
grains; embryo embedded in endosperm (Sharma et
al., 2011)
Chemical Constituent
It has been reported that historically, the chemical
constituent investigations on the Nigella sativa seeds
started in the year 1880 when Grenish published the
first report concerning the presence of 37% oil and 4.
1% ash (calcium salts) in the seeds, some of the general
chemical composition of the seeds are oil 31-35.5%,
protein 16-19.9% and various chemical composition of
the fixed and volatile oils of Nigella sativa by extraction
and analysis of volatile oil by GC/MS are the extrapolated in which 0.6% Thymoquinone volatile oil was
present (Tahir et al., 2006; Nickavar 2003).
PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECT
Anti-diabetic: Diabetes mellitus is a systemic metabolic
disease characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperlipedemia, hyper aminoacidemia, and hypo insulinaemia it
leads to decrease in both insulin secretion and insulin
action. Presently, there is growing interest in herbal
remedies due to the side effects associated with the
oral hypoglycemic agents (therapeutic agent) for the
treatment of diabetes mellitus (Rao et al., 2010)The
effect of Nigella Sativa on compact bone of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats was determined by the radiological, histological, morphological, immune histochemical and morphometrical studies. In the study it
was found that diabetes could lead to osteoporosis via
either decreased bone formation and or increased
bone Destruction with a net result of bone loss. A significant decrease in bone formation was reported in
streptozotocin-induced diabetics rats (Shady et al.,
2010) Diabetics rats treated with Nigella sativa showed
improved biochemical, radiographical, histological and
immune histochemical pictures. Nigella sativa can
ameliorate bone damage caused by diabetes either
through its antioxidant effect by its ability to scavenge
free radical and inhibit lipid peroxidation or through its
antidiabetic effects. Nigella sativa can attenuate the
damage occurring to B-cells of pancreas which induced
secretion of insulin (Shady et al., 2010)Water extract of
Nigella Sativa dose of 20 ml/kg given orally everyday
for 2 month to alloxan- induced diabetic rabbit to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa by performing
hematological & statistical analysis and observed that
Nigella sativa decrease the diabetes induced disturbance of the heart rate and hematological parameter
(Meral et al., 2004)In another study indicated that Nigella sativa seeds and their active ingredient. Thymo-

quinone have a promising reducing effect on blood

glucose levels in rate. In case of Nigella Sativa seed
dose of 50mg/kg orally show significant reduction in
their blood glucose level within 7 days duration however, effect of high dose 500mg/kg lost after 14 days
and in case of thymoquinone dose of 0. 5-6 mg/kg given intraperitoneal gave a significant reduction in blood
glucose after four days of treatment. However, effect
was maintained by giving treatment with highest dose
of Thymoquinone (i.p) for longest duration of time
(Zubaida et al., 2001). Antidiabetic effect of Thimoquinone active constituent of Nigella sativa which has
potential and broad spectrum effect on diabetes mellitus has been studied by conducting in vivo and in vitro
test. However, further more preclinical & clinical studies are required to confirm its exact mechanism
(Akash et al., 2011)
Haematological Studies
Hematological parameter useful for detection of glucose levels, RBC and WBC (red and white blood cell)
counts, packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin (Hb)
concentration. Plasmauria, creatin, bilirubin, triglyceride (Meral et al., 2004). The effect of the oral administration of an aqueous suspension of Nigella Sativa (50
mg/kg body. wt.) against morphological, cytologicaland
biochemical alterations of blood cells in mice treated
with carbon tetrachloride (1.9 ml/kg body. wt.) was
studied and result showed that Nigella Sativa has the
ability to protect the haematopoietic cells from the
damaging effects of exposure to CCl 4 due to the antioxidative power of Nigella Sativa (Essawy et al., 2011).
Parasitaemia correlated with severity of infection &
further complicated by anemia, thrombocytopenia,
and leucopenia which is related to immune system and
cause infection. Trypansomabrucei reduces the parasitamia and extend the life spanrate, Nigella Sativa oil
has trypanocidal properties as well as ability to extend
the life span of Trypansomabruceiin infected rat because Nigella Sativa oil show significant increase in
activities of serum alkaline phosphate as well as glutamate oxaloacetate and glutamate pyruvate transaminase with decrease in the liver enzyme activities and
also significant increase level of hemoglobuline, packed
cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, which has
phagocytes is and antigenic activity against parasite
(Ekanem et al., 2008). Experiment conducted toevaluate the effects of Nigella sativa powder and Echinacea purpurea (L.), Moench extract (EP) on performance
and some blood biochemical and hematological parameters in broiler chickens results of this study show
that supplementing 1% Nigella sativa powder improved body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion
ratio (FCR) of broilers at starter and grower periods
and also increased serum albumin levels and decreased
serum triglyceride and total cholesterol of broilers in
overall. Supplementation of Moench extract increased
globulin levels and white blood count (WBC) result of
this study showed that addition of 1% Nigella Sativa

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Munira Momin et al., (2013) Int. J. Res. Phytochem. Pharmacol., 3(2), 78-84

powder seemed to have a positive influence on growth

performance and it could be considered as an antibiotic growth promoter substitution for broiler chicks (Miraghaee et al., 2011).
Hepatic Liver, the largest organ of the body primarily
concerned with the metabolic activity of organisms. It
is responsible for biotransformation & detoxifying the
chemical substances in the blood and in this process it
is exposed to high concentrations of toxicants and toxic
metabolites making it susceptible to injury. The liver
damage caused by pathogens as well as chemical
agents. The fact that reliable liver protective drugs are
explicitly inadequate in allopathic medicine exhorted
the scientists to explore herbal remedies (Lal et al.,
2007).
The effect of aqueous suspension of Nigella sativa on
carbon tetrachloride- induced liver damage, CCL4 induced toxicity induced liver damage antagonize
aqueous dose of 250-500mg/kg suspension of Nigella
sativa by raising the level of LDH (lactate dehydrogenases) and lowering level of AST (aspartic transaminase) and ALT (L-alanine aminotransferase) (Ghamdi,
2003) 5% seed of Nigella sativa given to albino mice to
evaluate hepatoprotective action against dimethylaminoazo-benzene induced liver carcinogensis was studied
and the results showed significant changes in the
plasma level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate
transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), total
protein and serum albumin which analyzed by malondialdehyde but there is no harmful effect of Nigella
Sativa on the liver moreover, it exerts hepatoprotective effect against hepatobiliary carcinogens because of
their anti-oxidant property (Mohamed et al., 2010).
Anticancer Cancer is dreadful disease characterized by
the irregular proliferation of the cell. As a cell
progresses from normal to cancerous, the biological
imperative to survive and perpetuate drives fundamental change in the cell behavior. Recently, a greater emphasis has been given towards the researches on complementary and alternative medicine that deals with
cancer management. Thousands of herbal and traditional compounds are being screened worldwide to
validate their use as anti-cancerous drugs (Merine et
al., 2012; Balachandran et al., 2005).
Alpha-hederin and Thymoquinone are bioactive constituents of Nigella Sativa, which are used to understand
the cytotoxic and apoptotic/necrotic effect on human
cancer cell, in dose-time dependent manner. It concludes that the Thymoquinone is more effective then
alpha-hederin against HEp-2 laryngeal cell and the
higher incidence of apoptosis (Rooney et al., 2005a).
Further study was carried out to understand the mechanism involve by the buthioninesulffoximine (BSO),
pre-treatment (BSO) synergistically deplete selective
inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) and caspase-3 activation
mediate Thymoquinone induced apoptosis in Hep-2
cell line but not in alpha hederin (Rooney et al.,
80

2005b). The experiment performed to evaluate in vivo

and in vitro anticancer effect of Nigella sativa Seed
extracts. It was observed that the cytotoxicity of each
extract depends upon the tumor cell. The essential oil
of Nigella Sativa extract has highest in vitro cytotoxic
activity against P815 cell line compared to ethyl acetate and butanol extract. However, in vivo using
d
DBA2/P815 (H2 ) mouse model result clearly showed
that injection of essential oil into the tumor site significantly inhibited solid tumor development (Mbarek et
al., 2007). Thymoquinone effectively inhibited human
umbilical vein endothelial cell migration, proliferation,
invasion, and tube formation in vivo and in vitro xenograft mouse model and inhibited angiogenesis by suppressing AKT/ERK signaling pathway activation also
inhibited human prostate tumor growth by suppressing
androgen receptor and E2F-1 (Tingfang et al.,
2008)Treatment with anticancer drug cyclophosphamide is associated with systemic toxicity like increase
hemoglobulin, blood glucose level, plasma urea, creatin, bilirubin, triglyceride and lower the level of glutathione due to over production of reactive oxygen species, antioxidant potential of Nigella Sativa dose of
1ml/kg-10ml/kg which is responsible for protecting the
toxicity caused by cyclophosphamide (Alenz et al.,
2010). Also the combine effect of Nigella sativa and
cisplastin show significant result in fluorescent ortho+
topic mouse model (Huaiyu et al., 2001). CD8 Tcell are
important component of the cellular immune response
which control the viral infection and malignant cell.
Nigella sativa at high concentration dose of 100 micromol/ lit enhance survival and activity of antigen
+
specific CD8 T cell by enhancing the proliferative activity and apoptotic effect in vitro (Salem et al., 2011).
Linoleic acid is the one of the main fatty acid composition on Nigella sativa which has apoptosis effect on
human breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231- (HTB-26) (Hasanzadeh et al., 2011)To investigate whether Nigella
sativa oil could decrease the side effects induced by
the antibiotic, chloramphenicol studies were carried
out the results of which concluded that the oil showed
a time dependent significant repair in the blood picture, spleen and thymus histology, and the cellular and
humoral immunity (Ebaid et al., 2011).
Antibacterial
Medicinal plants represent a rich source of day, these
plants are antimicrobial agents. Plants are used medicinally in different countries and are a source of many
potent and powerful drugs (Mahesh, 2008).
In aqueous decoction of Nigella Sativa has higher anti
bacterial activity then aqueous infusion of Nigella sativa, which can be investigate by disc diffusion method
using oral flora. Aqueous decoction has antibacterial
potential against gram positive bacteria staptoccusaureus, micrococcus roseus, streptococcus mutans, streptococcus intermedius, streptococcus salivarius, streptococcus sannguis, streptococcus morbilloriumand gram
negative bacteria aeromonashydrophila, klebsiellao-

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zaenae. Whereas, Aqueous infusion has antibacterial

activity against gram positive bacteria micrococcus roseus, streptococcus intermedius, streptococcus sanguis
and gram negative bacteria citrobactersp, klebsiellaozaenae as investigated (Chaudhary et al., 2008)There
are number of bacteria which are resistant to anti biotic like ampicillin, amikacin, amoxicillin, teteracycilin,
chloramphenicol etc. essential oil of Nigella sativa was
studied for antibacterial activity against multi-drug
resistant bacteria by disc agar diffusion technique. The
result show that gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus
aureus, S. epidermis, Staphylococci and Streptococcus
pyogenes and gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas
aeruginosa are sensitive to Nigella Sativa oil (Salman et
al., 2008).
Intramammary injection of Nigella Sativa dose of 10 ml
-1)
in paraffin (200 mg ml per day given to naturally infected with staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis,
Holstein cow and quarter milk sample were collected
for bacterial analysis and somatic cell count. After the
end of the treatment result of the present study show
that the milk staphylococcus aureus count had been
decreased and shows none of the abnormal clinical
symptoms and visible local reaction. They conclude
[33]
that Nigella sativa has the antibacterial potential.
Nigella Sativa extract obtained from maceration/solvent extraction concentration 5mg/disc and
bacteria strain staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 are
used to perform disc diffusion method which showed
the bactericidal activity against methicillin resistant
staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Aslam et al., 2011).
Nigella sativa contain some cytotoxic compound. The
cytotoxic activity of the oil was investigated by carrying
out bioassays with bacteria (Erwiniacarotovora) and
Mosquito L larvae. The seed oils of Nigella sativa L.
showed significant cytotoxic effect towards the Erwiniacarotovoraand mosquito larvae. The cytotoxic compounds were separated by column chromatography
and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. These cytotoxic compounds were identified as
terpenoids containing carbonyl and hydroxyl functionalities (Bulugahapitiya et al., 2006).
Thermosensitive N-Isopropyl acryl amide-N-Vinyl 2pyrollidone (NIPAAm-VP) co-polymeric micelle synthesized by radical copolymerization and the extract of
Nigella sativais entrapped in this polymeric system to
check the release of the bioactive compound and
evaluated for its antibacterial activity. The size of nano
particles was measured 75-110 nm and 1%drug is entrapped. In this work, the seed extract has been loaded
into the polymeric micelle and its effectiveness has
been evaluated against gram positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Bacillus subtilisand a gram negative
strain of Escherichia coli. Nigella sativaloaded polymeric micelles found hundred times efficient in comparison of the naked one. Drug release from the polymeric micellar system at 37-42C in different time intervals i. e. 30 min-4 weeks is measured 7. 14-66.66%.

The above findings revealed that this thermo sensitive

polymeric system would more effectively release the
drug into the body when infectious states are functional i. e. higher temperature and may have possibility
to use as a novel drug delivery system for more herbal
drugs for patient compliance as reported (Deepak et
al., 2011).
GastroprotectivePeptic ulcers are a common disorder
of the entire gastrointestinal tract. A peptic ulcer results from an imbalance between some endogenous
aggressive factor (s) [hydrochloric acid, pepsin, refluxed bile, leukotrienes, reactive oxygen species
(ROS)] and cytoprotective factors, which include the
function of the mucus-bicarbonate barrier, surface
active phospholipids, prostaglandins (PGs), mucosal
blood flow, cell renewal and migration, non-enzymatic
and enzymatic antioxidants and some growth factors
(Zahra et al., 2011) Nigella sativa due to flavonoid content possess significant anti-ulcer activity against gastro ulcer in rat (Mota et al., 2008; Rajkapoor et al.,
2005). The aim of the study was to assess the effects of
hypothyroidism on the development of acute cold resistant stress gastritis in rats and protective effect of
Nigella sativa at the beginning of the acute cold resistant stress. Khaled A Abdel-Sater observed that Nigella
sativa oil significantly decreased volume of gastric juice
and number and size of gastric ulcer by neutralizing
hydrochloric acid in stomach (Sater, 2009). Gastro protective activity of Nigella sativa oil and its constituent
Thymoquinone against acute alcohol-induced gastric
mucosal injury in rats was studied the results of which
showed that Nigella Sativa and Thymoquinone could
protect gastric mucosa against the injurious effect of
absolute alcohol and promote ulcer healing as evidenced from the ulcer index (UI) values (Kanter et al.,
2005).
Analgesic Drug currently used for management of pain
and inflammatory condition present toxic side effect
on chronic administration. Therefore, attempts are
being taken to study promising plant which may lead to
develop newer and safer drugs (Divya, 2009) The
present study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive effect of Nigella sativa and has opioid activity which responsible for exert an anti-nociceptive
activity via central mechanism which inhibit the behavioral change caused by acute nociceptive stimuli like
hot plate, early phase and late phase of formaline test
by taking watery suspension of Nigella sativa dose of
1000m/kg body weight (Shebani et al., 2009). Writhing
test was performed to analyses analgesic activity of
Nigella Sativa in dose of 0. 5 ml by giving interapritonially. They conclude that Thymoquinone is active constituent of nigella responsible for reducing the pain
(Ramadhan et al., 2011).
Blood Pressure
Nigella sativa with rauvolfia reduce the blood pressure
within period of three week also minimizes the symp-

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Munira Momin et al., (2013) Int. J. Res. Phytochem. Pharmacol., 3(2), 78-84

toms B. P like dizziness, vertigo, drowsiness, lethargy,

loss of appetite by taking capsule contain dose of rauvolfia serpentine 125 mg &Nigella sativa 125 mg (Tissera, 2006)

that Nigella sativahas antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects so it

used as an adjunctive or alternative agent to existing
wound healing therapies (Yaman et al., 2010).

Estrogenic Activity

CONCLUSION

Estrogens are naturally occurring hormones and are of

importance both for female and male gender. Estrogen
regulates growth and differentiation of cell, decrease
apoptosis and regulate growth-factor production (Auranen et al., 2005). Estrogen play important role only in
reproduction system but in functioning of cardiovascular, central nervous, immune and skeletal system,
hence fall in estrogen after menopause (gradually decline estrogen and progesterone secreted through ovaries) lead to detrimental effects (Khajuria et al., 2008).
When the dose of Nigella sativa by giving different
dose 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg respectively to overiecomized rat to observe the Estrogenic activity by taking
vaginal smear it observed low dose of 300mg/kg of
Nigella Sativa show occurrence of vaginal cornified and
nucleated epithelial cell which can be helpful in managing post-menopausal symptoms as an alternative for
hormone replacement therapy (Parhizkar et al., 2011).

Nigella sativa has miracles effects on various diseases

starting from skin diseases to anti-cancer activity.
However, further detail study; especially with respect
to formulation development of this herb using
nanotechnology is the area to be focused on keeping
its wide array of pharmacological effect in mind. Ours
is a humble approach to compile possible available
data in present review.

Seizures activity
Epileptic seizures are transient occurrence of sign and
symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronies
neuronal activity in the brain (Fisher et al., 2011)
Aqueous extract of Nigella sativa has anticonvulsant
effect and can improve seizure control in children suffering from refractory epilepsy (do not respond to antiepileptic drug) (Akhondian et al., 2006).
Wound healing activity
The entire process of wound healing is complex and
ordered cascade of events which can be divided into
four distant but over lapping phase of homeostasis,
inflammation, proliferation and maturation. The use of
traditional medicinal and plant are natural remedies in
the treatment of wounds is an important aspect of
health treatment (Sikareepaisan et al., 2011).
The developing microbial resistance to the existing
anti-microbial agents has become a real challenge and
a serious problem facing patients suffering from skin
infections in vitro and in vivo anti-microbial effect of
the Nigella sativaextract at a concentration of 20% on
standard bacterial strains and clinical isolates was assessed and compared with standard drugs, chloramphenicol and amphotericin B using agar well diffusion
assay. They proved petroleum ether extract to be the
most powerful one against these bacteria (Mariam,
2009).
The experiment was conducted in order to compare
the effects of Nigellasativaconcentration about 50%
and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream on healing of burn
wounds in rats. Yaman observe Nigella sativa oil was
found to shorten the healing process then he conclude
82

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