Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): Bioactive Compounds and Health Benefits

2019 ◽  
pp. 103-114
Author(s):  
Tugba Ozdal ◽  
Sevcan Adiguzel
Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1784
Author(s):  
Md. Abdul Hannan ◽  
Md. Ataur Rahman ◽  
Abdullah Al Mamun Sohag ◽  
Md. Jamal Uddin ◽  
Raju Dash ◽  
...  

Mounting evidence support the potential benefits of functional foods or nutraceuticals for human health and diseases. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), a highly valued nutraceutical herb with a wide array of health benefits, has attracted growing interest from health-conscious individuals, the scientific community, and pharmaceutical industries. The pleiotropic pharmacological effects of black cumin, and its main bioactive component thymoquinone (TQ), have been manifested by their ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation, and to promote immunity, cell survival, and energy metabolism, which underlie diverse health benefits, including protection against metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, renal, respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders, cancer, and so on. Furthermore, black cumin acts as an antidote, mitigating various toxicities and drug-induced side effects. Despite significant advances in pharmacological benefits, this miracle herb and its active components are still far from their clinical application. This review begins with highlighting the research trends in black cumin and revisiting phytochemical profiles. Subsequently, pharmacological attributes and health benefits of black cumin and TQ are critically reviewed. We overview molecular pharmacology to gain insight into the underlying mechanism of health benefits. Issues related to pharmacokinetic herb–drug interactions, drug delivery, and safety are also addressed. Identifying knowledge gaps, our current effort will direct future research to advance potential applications of black cumin and TQ in health and diseases.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3369
Author(s):  
Magdalena Zielińska ◽  
Katarzyna Dereń ◽  
Ewelina Polak-Szczybyło ◽  
Agnieszka Ewa Stępień

Black cumin (Nigella sativa, NS) is included in the Ranunculaceae family and is classified as a medicinal plant due to very high levels of various bioactive compounds. They determine its therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, and immunomodulating properties. The results of scientific studies indicate a supporting role of black cumin in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, due to the health-promoting properties of its bioactive ingredients. The aim of the current article is to analyze the results of scientific publications on the role of bioactive ingredients contained in black cumin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-336
Author(s):  
Gabriela Isopencu ◽  
Mirela Marfa ◽  
Iuliana Jipa ◽  
Marta Stroescu ◽  
Anicuta Stoica Guzun ◽  
...  

Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, an annual herbaceous plant growing especially in Mediterranean countries, has recently gained considerable interest not only for its use as spice and condiment but also for its healthy properties of the fixed and essential oil and its potential as a biofuel. Nigella sativa seeds fixed oil, due to its high content in linoleic acid followed by oleic and palmitic acid, could be beneficial to human health. The objective of this study is to determine the optimum conditions for the solvent extraction of Nigella sativa seeds fixed oil using a three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD) under response surface methodology (RSM). The obtained experimental data, fitted by a second-order polynomial equation were analysed by Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA). From a total of 10 coefficients of the statistical model only 5 are important. The obtained experimental values agreed with the predicted ones.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 5474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basant Mahmoud Morsy ◽  
Ghada Mohamed Safwat ◽  
Doaa Ahmed Hussein ◽  
Reem Mohamed Samy

Nigella sativa (NS), commonly known as black cumin, has been used for medicinal purposes. Traditionally the seeds and its oil are used in several diseases. The greatest part of the remedial properties of this plant is due to the presence of thymoquinone (TQ) which is a major active chemical component of the essential oil. The current study performed to evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa Oil (NSO) extract on the neurotoxic and hepatotoxic potentials from Valproic acid (VPA) administration. Also we summarize recent findings emphasizing the role of main neurotoxic and hepatotoxic markers and oxidative stress in study’s case. Neurotoxicity was induced by VPA at dose of (500 mg/kg b.wt) by gastric intubation daily for 30 day. These rats received NSO extract was given orally at dose of (0.5 ml/kg b.wt) daily for 30 days after VPA administration. The current results revealed that NSO extract treatment ameliorated significantly the elevated levels of the neurotoxic and hepatotoxic biomarkers which elevated as a result to VPA administration. Moreover, NSO extract treatment ameliorated the non-enzymatic antioxidant, brain and liver lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) concentration and the enzymatic antioxidant, brain and liver catalase(CAT) activity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandan Sarkar ◽  
Sarmin Jamaddar ◽  
Tawhida Islam ◽  
Milon Mondal ◽  
Muhammad Torequl Islam ◽  
...  

The dietary phytochemical thymoquinone, obtained from the black and angular seeds of Nigella sativa, is a promising monoterpenoid hydrocarbons, which has been receiving massive attention for its therapeutic potential and pharmacological properties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishala Gopikrishna ◽  
Harini Keerthana Suresh Kumar ◽  
Kumar Perumal ◽  
Elavarashi Elangovan

Abstract Purpose Fermented soybean foods (FSF) is popularly consumed in the South-East Asian countries. Bacillus species, a predominant microorganism present in these foods, have demonstrated beneficial and deleterious impacts on human health. These microorganisms produce bioactive compounds during fermentation that have beneficial impacts in improving human health. However, the health risks associated with FSF, food pathogens, biogenic amines (BAs) production, and late-onset anaphylaxis, remain a concern. The purpose of this review is to present an in-depth analysis of positive and negative impacts as a result of consumption of FSF along with the measures to alleviate health risks for human consumption. Methods This review was composed by scrutinizing contemporary literature of peer-reviewed publications related to Bacillus and FSF. Based on the results from academic journals, this review paper was categorized into FSF, role of Bacillus species in these foods, process of fermentation, beneficial, and adverse influence of these foods along with methods to improve food safety. Special emphasis was given to the potential benefits of bioactive compounds released during fermentation of soybean by Bacillus species. Results The nutritional and functional properties of FSF are well-appreciated, due to the release of peptides and mucilage, which have shown health benefits: in managing cardiac disease, gastric disease, cancer, allergies, hepatic disease, obesity, immune disorders, and especially microbial infections due to the presence of probiotic property, which is a potential alternative to antibiotics. Efficient interventions were established to mitigate pitfalls like the techniques to reduce BAs and food pathogens and by using a defined starter culture to improve the safety and quality of these foods. Conclusion Despite some of the detrimental effects produced by these foods, potential health benefits have been observed. Therefore, soybean foods fermented by Bacillus can be a promising food by integrating effective measures for maintaining safety and quality for human consumption. Further, in vivo analysis on the activity and dietary interventions of bioactive compounds among animal models and human volunteers are yet to be achieved which is essential to commercialize them for safe consumption by humans, especially immunocompromised patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abebe Birara Dessie ◽  
Tadie Mirie Abate ◽  
Betelhem Tsedalu Adane ◽  
Tiru Tesfa ◽  
Shegaw Getu

Abstract Ethiopia is one of the east African countries which produce and exports various spices to other countries. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is an important stiff annual flowering plant which mainly grows by producers for its seeds. An increasing demand of black cumin seed and oil in local, national and international market for medicinal, consumption and commercial purpose makes the best alternative crop for small holder farmers in Ethiopia. In spite of its importance, not much has been done to improve its production and productivity in Ethiopia. Therefore, this research was designed to examining efficiency variations and factors influencing technical inefficiency levels of producers on black cumin production in northwest Ethiopia. Primary data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered on 188 black cumin producers selected using systematic random sampling technique. Moreover, various data analysis methods such as descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier model were used for analyzing the data. The empirical result obtained by applying maximum likelihood estimate of stochastic frontier model revealed that seed (p < 0.01) labor (p < 0.05), chemical (p < 0.01) and land (p < 0.05) were significant input variables in determining black cumin production. The mean technical efficiency level of black cumin producer was generally low, about 53.1%. The mean value of actual yield, potential yield and yield gap was 3.131, 5.832 and 2.701 quintals, respectively. Moreover, the result of stochastic frontier model together with the inefficiency parameters revealed that market price of black cumin (p < 0.01) and access of extension service (p < 0.1) were significant variables and positively influenced the efficiency levels of black cumin producers. Whereas age of producers (p < 0.05) and distance to farm plot (p < 0.01) negatively influenced the technical efficiency levels of black cumin producers. Therefore, the study recommends that adoption of latest agricultural technologies; development of institutions, agricultural extension services and infrastructure are advisable to improve the efficiency and commercial value of black cumin production.


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