Miracle Herb Nigella Sativa

“The herb from heaven”

“The herb from heaven”. The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) had described the curative powers of the black seed as “Hold on to use this black seed, as it has a remedy for every illness except death”. Avicenna, a well-known physician of 10th century famous for his book “The Canon of Medicine,” has recommended use of Nigella seeds for enhancement of body’s energy and also support during recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness. Nigella sativa is also mentioned for its curative property in the Holy Bible and is also labelled as Malathion by Hippocrates and Dioscorides.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6535880/pdf/ECAM2019-1528635.pdf Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin): A Promising Natural Remedy for Wide Range of Illnesses

The seed of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) has been used in different civilizations around the world for centuries to treat various animal and human ailments. So far, numerous studies demonstrated the seed of Nigella sativa and its main active constituent, thymoquinone, to be medicinally very effective against various illnesses including different chronic illness: neurological and mental illness, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory conditions, and infertility as well as various infectious diseases due to bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections. In spite of limited studies conducted so far, the promising efficacy of N. sativa against HIV/AIDS can be explored as an alternative option for the treatment of this pandemic disease after substantiating its full therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, the strong antioxidant property of this valued seed has recently gained increasing attention with regard to its potential role as dietary supplement with minimal side effects. Besides, when combined with different conventional chemotherapeutic agents, it synergizes their effects resulting in reducing the dosage of concomitantly used drugs with optimized efficacy and least and/or no toxicity.

Among several medicinal plants, Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) has been considered one of the most treasured nutrient-rich herb in history around the world and numerous scientific studies are in progress to validate the traditionally claimed uses of small seed of this species

The medicinal use of black cumin seeds in various traditional herbal systems is known for a wide range of ailments which include different airway disorders, for pain such as chronic headache and back pain, diabetes, paralysis, infection, inflammation, hypertension, and digestive tract related problems administered in different kind of preparations. It has also been used topically where it is applied directly to the blisters, nasal abscesses, orchitis, eczema, and swollen joints.

Antioxidant Activity. Oxidative stress and an intensification in the levels of free radicals are amongst the foremost central markers associated with several progressive pathological conditions, including neurological disorder, cancer, aging, and endocrine illness. To date, there has been a growing importance in the therapeutic option of medicinal plants as natural antioxidants. Among the various naturally occurring medicinal plants, N. sativa has been reported for its effective antioxidant activities of in- vivo and in- vitro studies.

Antidiabetic Activity

Antihypertensive Activity.

Neuroprotective Effects. Neurological disorder such as depression is amongst the most prevailing illnesses globally. It is principally affected by the hypoactivity of neurotransmitters, particularly owing to inadequate activity of serotonin

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects. Inflammation has a key role in various medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, allergies, and cancer which all are associated with acute and/or chronic pain.

Antibacterial Activity. Thymoquinone obtained from seeds of N. sativa revealed broader spectrum activities against multiple strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Bacillus, Listeria, Enterococcus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Salmonella, Serovar, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in addition to inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation.

Antifungal Activity. The essential oil of N. sativa of different origins has been reported to possess moderate inhibitory action against pathogenic strains of yeasts, dermatophytes and nondermatophytic filamentous fungi along with aflatoxin-producing fungi.

Antiparasitic Activity.

Anticancer Activity. As there are ten cancer hallmarks which are common to most tumors, TQ, a major active component of N. sativa, plays great role in affecting all markers of cancer

Effects on Male Infertility. The structure, function, motility, and survival of sperm are deleteriously affected by oxidative stress that prominently leads to infertility. Hence, increasing spermatozoa counts, functionality, and sperm quality using antioxidants can improve fertility status. Evidence proves that some herbal medicines can reduce negative effects of oxidative stress by salvaging free radicals. Among the various traditional plants, N. sativa was found to exhibit remarkable antioxidant effect.

To date, a number of studies showed that black seed and its component including TQ have revealed a remarkable natural therapy for treatment of a wide range of illnesses including chronic noninfectious (neurologic disorders, DM, hypertension, dyslipidemia, inflammatory disorders, cancer, etc.) and infectious disease (bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections). Both animal and human studies also showed that black seed and TQ have potential to treat male infertility and their antioxidant activities have recently gained greater attention due to their role as dietary supplements with minimal side effects. Furthermore, when combined with different conventional chemotherapeutic agents, they synergize the effects which may reduce the dosage of the concomitantly used medicines and optimizing efficacy versus toxicity and it might also overcome drug resistance problem.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12724933/ Improvement of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) by thymoquinone; an oxidative stress inhibitor

Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is widely accepted as an animal model for the human multiple sclerosis. Oxidative stress appears to play a role in the onset and progression of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis. We reasoned that decreasing oxidative stress might ameliorate symptoms and signs of EAE. Thymoquinone is reported to inhibit oxidative stress. One way of decreasing oxidative stress is to induce glutathione (GSH).

Conclusion: Thymoquinone inhibited oxidative stress which leads into improvement in our EAE animals. Thymoquinone may have a role in treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/ A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

Extensive studies on N. sativa have been carried out by various researchers and a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been explored which may include antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, renal protective, gastro-protective, antioxidant properties, etc. Due to its miraculous power of healing, N. sativa has got the place among the top ranked evidence based herbal medicines. This is also revealed that most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone which is major bioactive component of the essential oil.

N. sativa has been extensively studied for its biological activities and therapeutic potential and shown to possess wide spectrum of activities viz. as diuretic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer and immunomodulatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anthelmintics, analgesics and anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, renal protective and antioxidant properties. The seeds of N. sativa are widely used in the treatment of various diseases like bronchitis, asthma, diarrhea, rheumatism and skin disorders. It is also used as liver tonic, digestive, anti-diarrheal, appetite stimulant, emmenagogue, to increase milk production in nursing mothers to fight parasitic infections, and to support immune system.

5. Scientific researches and pharmacological potentials

The extensive researches using modern scientific techniques were carried out by various researchers on N. sativa since it is believed to be a miraculous herb that can cure multiple ailments and disorders. A number of pharmacological actions of N. sativa have been investigated in the past few decades.

5.1. Antibacterial activity

5.2. Antifungal activity

5.3. Anti-schistosomiasis activity

5.4. Antioxidant activity

5.5. Antidiabetic activity

5.6. Anticancer activity

5.7. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity

5.8. Immunomodulatory activity

5.9. Cardiovascular activity

5.10. Gastro-protective activity

5.11. Hepato-protective activity

5.12. Nephroprotective activity

5.13. Pulmonary-protective activity and anti-asthmatic effects

5.14. Testicular-protective activity

5.15. Neuro-pharmacological activities

5.16. Anticonvulsant activity

5.17. Contraceptive and anti-fertility activity of Hexane extract of N. sativa seeds L.

5.18. Anti oxytocic activity

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20105084/ Radioprotective effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) oil against hemopoietic damage and immunosuppression in gamma-irradiated rats

Results: Irradiation resulted in significant reduction in hemolysin antibodies titers and delayed type hypersensitivity reaction of irradiated rats, in addition to significant leukopenia and significant decrease in plasma total protein and globulin concentrations and depletion of lymphoid follicles of spleen and thymus gland. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration with a significant decrease in plasma glutathione peroxidase, catalase and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities were recorded. Oral administration of Nigella sativa oil before irradiation considerably normalized all the above-mentioned criteria; and produced significant regeneration in spleen and thymus lymphoid follicles.

Conclusion: Our results strongly recommend Nigella sativa oil as a promising natural radioprotective agent against immunosuppressive and oxidative effects of ionizing radiation.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.1309 Pharmacological and toxicological properties of Nigella sativa

The seeds/oil have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial and antineoplastic activity. The oil decreases blood pressure and increases respiration. Treatment of rats with the seed extract for up to 12 weeks has been reported to induce changes in the haemogram that include an increase in both the packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb), and a decrease in plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose.

The seeds are characterized by a very low degree of toxicity.

Two cases of contact dermatitis in two individuals have been reported following topical use. Administration of either the seed extract or its oil has been shown not to induce significant adverse effects on liver or kidney functions.

It would appear that the beneficial effects of the use of the seeds and thymoquinone might be related to their cytoprotective and antioxidant actions, and to their effect on some mediators of inflammation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5358924/

Effect of Topical Application of Nigella Sativa Oil and Oral Acetaminophen on Pain in Elderly with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Crossover Clinical Trial

This study was conducted as a clinical trial (crossover) from November 21, 2014, to January 20, 2014. Procedure of the study was justified in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in elderly residing in a parents’ nursing home in Sabzevar City in Iran.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that topical application of Nigella sativa oil was effective in reducing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis; therefore, it is recommended as a safe supplement for these elderly.

5. Conclusions

This study showed that topical use of Nigella sativa oil can be more effective in reducing knee pain in elderly patients than acetaminophen, which is typically used as a safe supplement for the elderly. Further investigation is needed to establish the mechanisms involved. It is also recommended that the consumption of Nigella sativa oil be continued for a longer period of time.

The different researchers proposes following mechanism of actions of Nigella sativa for reducing pain and inflammation:

• Nigella sativa is potent antioxidant, which reduces oxidative stress induced joint inflammatory condition.
•  Nigella sativa can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis pathway by modulating COX2 pathway.
• The different inflammatory mediators including cytokines, interleukins, TNF-α, and transcription factor βK are inhibited by Nigella sativa.
•  Nigella sativa also reduce the nitric oxide synthesis.
•  Nigella sativa modulate pain signaling in the brain and provide analgesic effect. In addition, anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa also provide pain reducing effect.
• Additional benefit of administration of Nigella sativa along with other conventional medications in joint disorders is to provide protection to the liver and kidney from the usual side effects obtained by administering conventional medications. Because Nigella sativa has hepato-protective and nephroprotective effects.

The recommended dosage of Nigella sativa seed oil is 500 mg twice per day for joint inflammation and associated pain symptom.

For Rheumatic Pain
Topical application of slightly warm Nigella sativa oil with gentle massage on the affected joint can reduce the pain. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa oil can dissolve the crystallization formed in the affected joint and improve blood circulation to heal up the joint injury. Both, inflammation reduction and improvement of the blood circulation provide analgesic effect.  An oral dose of 1 teaspoon of Nigella sativa oil twice daily is also recommended as it improve the immune functioning, as the rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder. 

For Treating Joint Inflammation
Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of Nigella sativa oil with honey and take daily to get maximum relief from joint inflammation.

For Joint Pain Remedy
External application of Nigella sativa oil to the affected joint provides immediate relief from joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory effect.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24680621/ Effects of Nigella sativa L. seed oil on abnormal semen quality in infertile men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Results showed that sperm count, motility and morphology and semen volume, pH and round cells were improved significantly in N. sativa oil treated group compared with placebo group after 2 months. It is concluded that daily intake of 5ml N. sativa oil for two months improves abnormal semen quality in infertile men without any adverse effects.

For Covid:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210803320300531 Potential benefits of combination of Nigella sativa and Zn supplements to treat COVID-19

https://c19ns.com/meta.html

https://covid19.onedaymd.com/2021/08/best-zinc-ionophore-supplements-2021.html Thus, recent data have shown that the active ingredients found in black seed oil may have greater potential in the treatment of COVID-19 than antiviral drugs, may act as a zinc ionophore and may help block the ACE2 receptors the virus uses to infect cells.