PHARMACEUTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NIGELLA SATIVA L., A WONDER HERB

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.