Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND THERAPEUTICAL IMPORTANCE OF NIGELLA SATIVA: A MINI REVIEW

Zubreena Khan*, Hemant Brijay, Balbir Singh and Rohit Kumar Bijauliya

ABSTRACT

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) (Family Ranunculaceae) is a popular therapeutic herb in many parts of the world. It is widely used in traditional medical systems such as Unani and Ayurveda, Tibb, and Siddha. Seeds and oil have a long history of folkloric use in many medicinal and culinary systems. The seeds of N. sativa have long been used to cure a variety of illnesses and disorders. The chemical makeup of Nigella sativa seed has been extensively researched. It's said to include Thymoquinone, Nigellicine, Nigellidine, Nigellimine-N-oxide, Dithymoquinone, Nigellone, methoxy-coumarin, Thymohydroquinone, 7-hydroxy-coumarin, Thymol, Arvacrol, 6- Oxy-coumarin, Alpha-hedrin, Steryl-glucoside, Flavinoids, Ascorbic acid, Tannins, Seeds of N. sativa have been linked to a variety of pharmacological and biological activities. The current study examines the profile of high-value components, as well as traditional medicinal and biological principles, of N. sativa seed and oil in order to investigate the functional food and nutraceutical potential of this valuable herb.

Keywords: Nigella sativa, Ranunculaceae, Thymoquinone, Herbal medicinal ingredients, Herbal extracts.