Exploring the Potential of Nigella Sativa Seeds: A Modern Perspective on an Ancient Remedy

Abstract

Nigella sativa (N. Sativa) seeds are widely recognized for their medicinal properties, which make them valuable for both the culinary and pharmaceutical industries. The traditional plant that is most widely used is N. sativa and also known by other names like black cumin and kalonji. The N. Sativa is grown and distributed throughout India, primarily in the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, and Assam, as well as in Bangladesh, Bangladesh, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and South Europe. Numerous beneficial and bioactive chemical components, including thymoquinoline, thymoquinone, alpha hydrine, alpha pinene, p-cymene, alkaloides like nigellicimine and nigellicimine N-oxide, sesquiterpenes and thymol, are found in N. Sativa. Due to these bioactive chemical constituents N. Sativa have many biological activities like antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibiotic etc. The review helps to introduce about the current trends about numerous drawing out techniques, including cold extraction, microwave-assisted extraction (MEA), and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), have been widely used to maximize the yield of these bioactive compounds. These methods are effective in isolating the highest percentage of the seed’s chemical constituents. Nigella sativa has established amazing medicinal properties, chiefly in its ability to combat various types of cancer such as blood, skin, cervical, colon, liver, prostate, breast, and kidney cancers. Beyond cancer treatment, the seed extract, oil, and whole seeds have shown effectiveness in managing conditions like oxidative stress, hypertension, diabetes, ulcers, epilepsy, fatty liver, asthma, arthritis, and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, Nigella sativa also shows potential intreating parasitic infections