Nigella Sativa: Blessed Seed

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.