Abstract

BLACK CUMIN AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER AGENT: A REVIEW

Jasvir Kaur*, Satvinder Kaur and Geeta Aggarwal

ABSTRACT

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. N. sativa is a flowering plant whose seeds are used in the form of spice. The seeds are known as black cumin in English, and ‘Panacea’ meaning ‘cure all’; in Latin. The seeds are also known as Kalonji in local language. Seeds in Arabic are termed as ‘Habbah Sawda’ or ‘Habbat el Baraka’ meaning ‘Seeds of blessing’. Seeds and oil of N. Sativa are used for medicinal purposes by Unani, Ayurveda and the Chinese system of medicine. Black cumin is also known to have antihypertensive and anti asthmatics property other than anticancer activity. It can be used to control hyper cholesterol levels.

Keywords: Black cumin, herbal anticancer remedy, N. Sativa uses, kalonji uses.