PHARMACEUTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NIGELLA SATIVA L., A WONDER HERB

Irfat Ara; Mudasir Maqbool; Ginenus Fekadu; Tawseef Ahmad Hajam; Mohmad Amin Dar

Irfat Ara Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Mudasir Maqbool Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Ginenus Fekadu Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Science, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia
Tawseef Ahmad Hajam Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Mohmad Amin Dar Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar-190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Keywords: Anti-diabetic activity, Antimicrobial activity, Black cumin, Phytochemicals, Thymoquinone

Abstract

Nigella sativa L. (Family: Ranunculaceae; commonly known as black cumin) is an annual herb. N. sativa is cultivated and distributed all over India, especially in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gangetic plains, Bihar, Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra. Among the traditional remedies, prescriptions of Nigella sativa for the treatment of various diseases are well-known since the prehistoric era. Therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa are thought to be due to nigellone and thymoquinone contents. The reported pharmacological properties include protection against disease and chemical-induced renal and hepatic toxicity, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-microbial and antineoplastic activities. The oil decreases blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose and increases respiration, hemoglobin and packed cell volume. In the traditional system of medicine, black cumin seeds are effective against cough, bronchitis, asthma, chronic headache, migraine, dizziness, chest congestion, dysmenorrheal, obesity, diabetes, paralysis, hemiplegia, back pain, infection, inflammation, rheumatism, hypertension and gastrointestinal problems such as dyspepsia, flatulence, dysentery, and diarrhea. In this review, we will elaborate about this wonder herb having miraculous effects.