Nigella sativa in Traditional and Modern Medicine: Pharmacological Evidence and Future Prospects

Abstract:

Over the past two decades, the global use of medicinal plants as complementary and adjuvant therapies has increased significantly for the management of various diseases. Nigella sativa, commonly known as kalonji, black cumin, or Roman coriander, is among the most extensively studied evidence-based medicinal herbs. It belongs to the family Ranunculaceae and is an annual flowering plant characterized by bluish-white flowers and small, black, flattened, oblong seeds resembling onion seeds. Synonyms include Nigella indica and Nigella truncata, and the plant is widely cultivated in India, the Middle East, and Mediterranean regions, thriving in both cold dry and warm humid climates. The seeds, fruits, and seed oil of N. sativa are extensively used in both culinary and medicinal applications. Numerous pharmacological properties have been documented, including antihypertensive, diuretic, antidiarrheal, analgesic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and gastroprotective effects. In the United States, N. sativa is classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration for consumption. Phytochemical analyses reveal the presence of fixed oils, proteins, alkaloids, saponins, and essential oils, with thymoquinone identified as the principal bioactive compound responsible for many therapeutic actions. This review aims to highlight the medicinal significance of Nigella sativa, promote greater scientific interest in herbal therapeutics, and encourage further exploration of its potential in disease prevention and treatment.