[www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

NS = Nigella sativa

Nigella sativa (black seed or black cumin), which belongs to the Ranunculacea family, is an annual herb with many pharmacological properties [1]. The use of N. sativa (NS) seeds and oil in traditional remedies goes back more than 2000 years, and the herb is described as ‘the Melanthion’ by Hippocrates and Discroides [2].

NS contains many active components, such as thymoquinone (TQ), alkaloids (nigellicines and nigelledine), saponins (alpha-hederin), flavonoids, proteins, fatty acids, and many others, that have positive effects in the treatment of patients with different diseases [5, 6]. TQ is the most abundant constituent in the volatile oil of NS seeds, and most of the herb’s properties are attributed to it.

Cell culture studies and animal models have indicated several therapeutic potentials, such as

anti-cancer [5, 7–9],
antimicrobial [10, 11],
analgesic [12, 13],
antipyretic [14],
contraceptive and anti-fertility,
anti-oxytocic [3],
anti-tussive [15],
anti-inflammatory [12, 16],
and anti-oxidant [17–19] potentials, for black seed and its active component TQ.

NS or TQ anticancer activity has been demonstrated for blood, breast, colon, pancreatic, liver, lung, fibrosarcoma, prostate, and cervix cancer cell lines and in animal models of lung, kidney, skin, colon, and breast cancer [7]. Black seed’s antimicrobial effects include those on gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, viruses, parasites, Schistosoma, and fungi pathogens [10]. NS was also found to be able to relieve the symptoms of or cure patients with several diseases, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes [5, 20, 21], asthma [3], convulsion [22–24], and natural and chemical toxicities [25, 26]. Additionally, a suggestion was made that NS and TQ utilization could prevent many disorders [6], including neurobehavioral [27], kidney [28, 29], and liver [4] disorders.



[NOTE: Tea spoon = 5 mL]

Administration of NS oil (5 mL/day) to healthy volunteers for 8 weeks was reported not to have any notable liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal side effects [30, 31].

In a placebo-controlled clinical trial addressing memory and cognition, healthy elderly volunteers took a 500-mg NS capsule twice a day over a period of 9 weeks [83]. At the end of that period, through special tests, the authors observed improved cognition, memory, and attention.

Kolahdooz et al proved that treatment of infertile Iranian men with 2.5 mL of NS oil twice a day for two months, in contrast with a placebo treatment in the same manner, could enhance sperm parameters, including sperm count, motility and morphology, semen volume, pH, and its round cells [41]. Other beneficial effects of NS on Leydig cells, reproductive organs, and sexual hormones in infertile men have also been confirmed [95].

According to some studies reviewed, NS may be a useful herb for improving sexual function because of its inhibitory effect on prolactin [51] and excitatory effect on testosterone [33]. In addition, spermatogenesis can be stimulated by NS [95].