Abstract

Nigella sativa originated from the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the family Ranunculaceae (butter-cup family). Used as spice and also generally used therapeutic plant all over the world. Customarily it is used to treat allergic disorders. Important medication in the Indian conventional methods of medication like Ayurveda (herbs) and Unani (roots of plants). Seeds are used as flavoring agent and preservatives. Black cumin seeds were extensively utilized for the cure of various ailments and conditions. In Islamic Literature, it is recognized as one of the ultimate forms of therapeutic medication. It has been widely used as aromatic, respiratory stimulant, diuretic, hypoglycemic, antitumor and an analgesic. N. sativa oil also have therapeutic properties and many active compounds. It is usually extracted by hydro-distillation method. Thymoquinone isolated from the black cumin is the principle main dynamic constituent of its volatile oil that involves in numerous biochemical and physical properties of this plant. The current review paper tries to describe the essential oils of N. sativa, their chemical composition as well as therapeutic activities.

Keywords: Nigella Sativa; Ranunculaceae; Therapeutic Plant; Essential Oils; Volatile Oil; Hydro-Distillation; Thymoquinone

Introduction

There is a Hadith of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) that, ‘black seed is treatment of every disease but death’ (Bellir, Bellir, & Rouabah, 2014).

There is a Hadith of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) that, ‘black seed is treatment of every disease but death’ [1]. Kalonji word is used to address the N. sativa in south Asia and in Arab it is referred as “Habat-ul Sauda”. English journals uses the name Black cumin for N. sativa [2]. Nigella sativa belongs to the family Ranunculaceae, cultivates as a small herb and is produced all throughout the India and other tropical areas of the world [3]. Nigella sativa originate from the Mediterranean region [4] and it is local to North Africa, southern Europe, south and southwest Asia [5]. N. sativa is one of the most olden known tamed plants and its seeds were supposedly found in Tutankhamon’s burial chamber [6]. The genuine significance of Nigella sativa arises from the heavenly saying of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). It is a similar black cumin seed described by Prophet Mohammed as a panacea (all inclusive healer).

Chronicled utilization of black seeds has been referenced in different holy and cultural books. Kalonji is recognized as the therapeutic black cumin in the sacred book of scriptures (bible) and additionally portrayed as the melanthion (little black seeds) of Hippocrates and Dioscordes. In Greco Middle Easterner/Unani Tibb arrangement of medication that is started by Hippocrates, his contemporary Ibn-sina and Galen has viewed Kalonji as an important cure in liver and stomach related turmoil. The renowned book of medication by Ibn-sina “The cannon of medication (980- 1037) uncovered verifiable significance of Nigella sativa such as seeds “That enhances energy of the body and help recuperation from tiredness [7].

Therapeutic Importance of N sativa

The oil and seeds of black cumin have been broadly utilized for quite a long time in the cure of different illnesses all through the world. Also, it is a significant medication in the Indian conventional arrangement of medication such as Ayurveda and Unani [8]. It has been conventionally utilized since antiquated occasions as a significant therapeutic plant and seasoning [5]. It is dynamic as a fragrant, respiratory energizer, diuretic, hypoglycemic, hostile to tumor and a pain relieving [3]. Generally, in present studies it is documented that seeds of Nigella sativa are recognized by old Egyptian and Greek doctors to treat cerebral pain, adenoidal clog, pain in teeth and worms that are present in intestine, are used as a substance that promotes diuresis to advance monthly cycle of periods and creation of milk [9]. In the customary arrangement of medication, it is suggested in a wide scope of infirmities including asthma, constant migraine, headache, chest clog, dysmenorrhea, heftiness, loss of motion, hemiplegia, back ache, stiffness, hypertension and gastrointestinal issues, for example, dyspepsia, gassiness and diarrhea.

It has additionally been utilized as an energizer, diuretic, emmenagogue, lactagogue, anthelmintic and carminative. Phytochemicals of seeds were analyzed and uncovered the occurrence of unstable oil (1.5%), fixed oil (37.5%) nigellin, melanthin and Arabic acid, carvene, carvone and cymene, thymohydroquinone and thymoquinone. Thymoquinone is major active compound confined from the volatile oil of black cumin [10]. The existence of various alkaloids (nigellidine, nigellimine and nigellicine) has likewise be present in the seeds of Nigella sativa [2]. It has been utilized in societies around there since ancient time. The well-known spice has ebony seeds darker than black, with blue or purple undertones renowned for terpenoids substances that are present in them, especially thymoquinone and fatty acids. Experimental preliminaries have approved this current spice’s expected use for handling allergic conditions.

There is additionally medical preliminary help for the utilization of kalonji seeds in individuals moving out from, and with-drawing from, narcotics, and individuals who need to improve lipid profiles as well as decline seizure recurrence [11]. Thymoquinone is the significant dynamic constituent of N. sativa and establishes about 30% of its essential oil or ether extract. Because of the presence of thymoquinone N. sativa have a large number of the biochemical, physiologic, and molecular impacts. There are just couple of reports in writing on the harmfulness of thymoquinone and in view of the wide spread utilization of N. sativa, it is important to check the harmfulness of its components in the research facility creatures [12]. Black seeds a zest that can be utilized as a therapeutic plant and a food additive. The seeds and the oil of N. sativa indicated a likely treatment in customary prescriptions. Black cumin has flavonoid mixes.

This plant has one cluster with N. damascene. That to be known has a high estrogenic impact. It also displayed antifertility, antioxytocic action, act as emmenagogues and also possess numerous different properties [13]. In various mixes, the seeds of black cumin were utilized in fatness and for the prophylaxes of difficult breathing. They have ability to counter liver disorder and are directed inside in discontinuous fever. Steady inward breath of fry up seeds reduces cold and inflammation of the mucous membrane. They likewise been utilized in mercury harming, injuries and leprosy [14]. Black cumin is one of home grown medication with a few pharmacological properties, for example, antiparasitic, antitumor, anticancer, hepato-protective, gastro protective, antifungal, antibacterial, and immuno-energizer. A few logical reports have additionally upheld the N. sativa activities as an antidiabetic compound by advancing typical digestion of glucose in rodent that have diabetes and recuperating the harm of pancreatic β cell, just as upgrading the insulin emission.

The other pharmacological actions shared by the home grown are connected with the estrogenic impact and its capacity in diminishing the clinical indications of the osteoporosis in ovariectomized rodents. The black cumin can control cell development and separation of monocyte and monocytedetermined macrophages, just as regulating amino acid discharge in refined neurons in vitro [15].

Taxonomy of N. sativa:

Kingdom: Plantae.

Subkingdom: Tracheobionata (vascular plant).

Supervision: Spermatophyte.

Order: Ranunculales.

Family: Ranunculaceae (Butter cup family).

Genera: Nigella.

Species: sativa [16].

Physical Characteristics of N. sativa:

a) Morphology: Kalonji is an annually blossoming plant which develops to 20-90cm tall, along with excellently partitioned leaves, the section of leaves hardly linear to thread-like structure. The blooms are delicate, and typically yellow, pink, light blue or pale purple in color, with 5-10 petals. The fruitlet is a huge and swelled case made out of 3-7 joined follicles, each one comprising numerous seeds [17].

b) Structures of the Powder and Seeds: Visibly, seeds are little dicotyledonous, having three angles or corners and regular tubes like structure, pointed, 2-3.5mm×1-2 mm, dark remotely and white inside, scent marginally fragrant and flavor unpleasant. Thoroughly, cross over segment of seeds appears epidermis that contains a single layer comprising of curved, thick-walled cells, covered the slightest bit by a papillose cuticle layer and loaded-up with dull earthy colored material. Epidermis tailed by 2-4 layers of dense walled loosely prolonged cells that are parenchymatous in nature, followed by a rosy earthy colored layer made-up of impenetrable walls, quadrilateral stretched cells. Inside to the shade layer, is available a layer made-up of dense walled foursided stretched or almost columnar, prolonged cells. Endosperm comprises of cells that have fragile walls and are rectangular or polygonal generally oil globs are filled in them. The microscopic study of powder of seeds shows earthy dark, parencymatous cells and bubbles of oil [16].

c) Chemical Structure of N. sativa: N. sativa substance structure is assorted and comprises of scope of various parts including starches, proteins, fats, oils, strands, nutrients, minerals (Fe, Cu, Zn and P and so on), alkaloids, saponins and numerous other naturally dynamic mixes [18]. Significant alkaloids distinguished in Nigella sativa are: pyrozol alkaloid (for example nigellicine and nigellidine) and isoquinoline alkaloids (for example nigellicimine and nigellicimine-N-oxide) [19]. Level of naturally dynamic mixes that are discovered in black cumin that incorporates: thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone (DIM), 4-terpineol, carvone, carvacrol, t-anethol, thymol, α-pinene, α-hederin, limonene and numerous different mixes that are discovered in various amount [20]. The vast majority of the therapeutic activities of Nigella sativa are due to the presence of its quinine components [19]. The seed is likewise wealthy in unsaturated fats including linolenic acid, oleic acid, eicodadienoic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, arachidic acid, palmitic acidic, myristic acid and stearic acid [21].

d) Essential Oils:

The oils are perplexing common combinations of unstable secondary metabolites, extracted from plants by expression (citrus shell oil) and by refining through hydro-steam distilling method. The primary components of volatile oils mono and ses-quiterpenes including sugars, ethers, alcohols, ketones and aldehydes are liable for the aromatic and medicinal properties of sweet-smelling and therapeutic plants. Because of these characteristics, ever since old time’s flavors and spices have been added to food, as seasoning specialists as well as additives. For quite a long time volatile oil were extracted from various parts of plants and also utilized for comparative motives. They are exploited for counter a wide scope of living beings, for example, microscopic organisms such as parasites (fungi), bacteria, infectious viruses, protozoa, bugs and plants [22].

Oils have been appeared to have activities against bacteria, fungi, virus, insects and act as cancer prevention agent. A few oils have been utilized in malignancy treatment. Some different oils have been utilized in food protection, fragrance based treatment and scent manufacturing. Volatile oils are a rich basis of composites that are dynamic in nature. There has been an expanded interest in studying about the properties of extracted material against microorganisms from fragrant plants especially essential oils. Thus, it is sensible to anticipate a collection of plant mixes in these oils with particular as well as broad antimicrobial properties and antibiotic activities [23]. Around 3000 volatile oils are found, and 10% of them have business significance in the production of different foods, beautifying agents and medicines. Therefore, they are commonly accepted as harmless by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their organization possibly will change extensively between sweet-smelling plant species and their collections, and in similar variety from various geographic territories [24].

Particular volatile oils of pants, commonly utilized as essences and scents in the food and perfumes manufacturing [25] have long been supposed to resist pests. Current examinations in a few nations affirm that some plant volatile oils not only repulse pests, however, have connection and fumigant anti-insecticidal activities against explicit vermin, and antifungal activities against some significant plant microbes [26]. The ongoing years have likewise seen a re-establishment of materials that have traditional characteristics in medications and in food and beautifying agents’ maintenance. Notwithstanding the improvement of anti-toxins, bacterial and parasitic contaminations are as yet a significant problem in medication, and the presence of various strains that are resistant to drugs represents another concern. Medicines made up of herbs have been widely utilized in this area for a long time. In recent times, there has been a developing interest in common items because of their accessibility, less harmful impacts or less poisonousness as well as great biodegradable property when contrasted with the accessible anti-infection agents and additives [27].

A few creators have researched the essential oil of Nigella seeds and extracted and distinguished dynamic components that have valuable medical impacts. Egyptians accept that nigella seeds enhance and improve the immune system of individual. The oil has been created by squeezing the crude or cooked seeds [23]. Nigella sativa seed oil comprises of oleoresins and volatile oil constituents, including thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, α-thujene, carvacrol, longifolene, p-cymene, 4-terpineol, t-anethol, pinene and thymol. p-cymene (7–25.8%) and Thymoquinone (30–52.6%) were accounted for as its key constituents [28]. Antimicrobial properties of essential oil is credited predominantly to its phenolic components of the volatile oil section. Subsequently, thymoquinone followed by its connected compounds, for example, thymol, dithymoquinone, and thymohydroquinone alongside carvacrol indicates significant function against microorganisms [29]. Different components, linoleic acid, oleic acid and oleoresins may likewise appears slight effects against microbes [28].

Undoubtedly, entire volatile oil existed accounted for greater activity against bacterial infections than the mixtures of its noticeable components, recommending that the negligible parts enhance the action of N.sativa essential oil against microorganisms [30]. Nigella sativa oil is more powerful as compared to thymoquinone. It is a better source of biologically active mixes, for example, a-pinene, p-cymene and limonene, those are considered as incredible bactericides. It indicated a significant property against microbes, in spite of the fact that the extremely low quantity of thymoquinone. It stays a better usual basis for the creation of new anti-microbial medications, in this manner supporting the more extensive utilization of Nigella sativa as regular medication for the infections that are caused by micro-organisms [31]. N. sativa volatile oils are more functional against gram +ve bacteria, as compared to the gram -ve bacteria. A firmly related component thymohydroquinone, separated from Nigella sativa essential oil, was discovered to be a profoundly dynamic constituent, resisting gram positive bacteria, for example, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, have been generally assigned as the most vulnerable species to Nigella sativa oil [32].

Various compounds got from plants regularly show significant action against bacteria that are Gram positive do not show any activity against Gram negative bacteria. Gram -ve microorganisms have a powerful porousness hindrance, included the external layer, which limits the infiltration of molecules which have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts and have resistant multidrug taps that expel toxic substances over the border line. It is probable that the apparent insufficiency of plant compounds that are attacking on microorganisms generally because of the permeable blockade [33]. N. sativa volatile oil have more grounded anti-bacterial activities contrast with Tetracyclin, Cefuroxime, and about a similar quality contrast with Ciprofloxacin and equal activity against fungi contrast with Clomatrizol [34]. Black cumin volatile oils containing higher amounts of (30ug) carvacrol and thymol are more sensitive bacterial species as compared to those that contains low amount (10ug) perhaps for the reason that they are accountable for the action against bacteria. Methanol concentration that is extracted from N.sativa showed higher activity against bacteria and fungi as compared to the ether extracts [34].

Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Nigella Sativa

The steam distillation of the concentrate from the seeds of Nigella sativa presented a yellowish essential oil. 32 complexes, comprising (86.7%) of the essential oil, were distinguished. The oil comprised of 9 monoterpenoid hydrocarbons (26.9%), 6 phenyl propanoid compounds (46.1%), 8 non-terpenoid hydrocarbons (4.0%), 4 monoterpenoid ketones (6.0%), 2 sesqui-terpenoid hydrocarbons (1.0%), 3 monoterpenoid alcohols (2.7%). In this way, oil of black cumin is described by a larger quantity of propanoids of phenyl. These oils of Nigella sativa introduced elevated concentrations of p-cymene (14.8%) and trans-anethole (38.3%). Other significant components were carvone (4.0%) and limonene (4.3%) [21]. The monoterpene thymoquinone that are enriched with oxygen and the essential unsaturated fat 18:2 n − 6 were the significant components volatile oils. Essential oils showed fascinating properties against tuberculosis and fungal infections. Egyptian N.sativa essential and fixed oils demonstrated the best activity against microorganisms [35].

Methods Used for the Extraction of Essential oils:

1) Hydro-distillation

2) Cold Pressing

3) Solvent Extraction

4) Supercritical Fluid Extraction

5) Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE)

6) Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) [36].

Hydro-Distillation (HD) /Steam Distillation Method

Steam distillation method is additionally one of the generally utilized approaches for the abstraction of volatile oils [37] generally hydro-distillation was accomplished with a Clevenger device to contrast with Microwave-Assisted Extraction technique. 100 g ground seeds were placed into a sample jar and blended in with 300 mL deionized water. Distillation is occurred in 3–4 h until not any more essential oil was extracted. The collection and storage of volatile oil was done at 0 °C till use. This procedure was completed in three-fold [37-58].

Conclusion

Nigella sativa is a herb that is used in traditional remedies of diseases. Since ancient time it is used for medicinal purpose and used as preservative and flavoring agent in food. The seeds of NS have a potential medicinal value and are relatively safe to consume. Its essential oil also contains many bioactive compounds and has beneficial clinical effects. However, it has some side effects, but the minor and/or negligible toxicological effects and wider therapeutic margin of N. sativa seeds, its oil and extracts and some of its active principles, particularly Thymoquinone, as evident by various scientific studies support its safe use for the long-term traditional food and medicinal purposes.

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Abstract

Nigella sativa originated from the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the family Ranunculaceae (butter-cup family). Used as spice and also generally used therapeutic plant all over the world. Customarily it is used to treat allergic disorders. Important medication in the Indian conventional methods of medication like Ayurveda (herbs) and Unani (roots of plants). Seeds are used as flavoring agent and preservatives. Black cumin seeds were extensively utilized for the cure of various ailments and conditions. In Islamic Literature, it is recognized as one of the ultimate forms of therapeutic medication. It has been widely used as aromatic, respiratory stimulant, diuretic, hypoglycemic, antitumor and an analgesic. N. sativa oil also have therapeutic properties and many active compounds. It is usually extracted by hydro-distillation method. Thymoquinone isolated from the black cumin is the principle main dynamic constituent of its volatile oil that involves in numerous biochemical and physical properties of this plant. The current review paper tries to describe the essential oils of N. sativa, their chemical composition as well as therapeutic activities.

Keywords: Nigella Sativa; Ranunculaceae; Therapeutic Plant; Essential Oils; Volatile Oil; Hydro-Distillation; Thymoquinone