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Nigella Sativa
A Panacea for Human Disease By Philip Rouchotas MSc, ND, and Heidi Fritz MA, ND
Philip Rouchotas MSc, ND Abstract
Integrated Healthcare Practitioners Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, is a highly-regarded and
Editor-in-Chief prominent herb that has been used in traditional Middle Eastern and
philip@ihpmagazine.com Indian systems of medicine. The Prophet Muhammad was recorded
Bolton Naturopathic Clinic as stating that the herb can cure any disease, other than death. Many
64 King St W, Bolton, Ontario, L7E1C7
therapeutic activities have been ascribed to Nigella, including
astringent, bitter, stimulant, anthelminthic, carminative, anodyne,
Heidi Fritz, MA, ND expectorant and other effects. In modern research, Nigella has been
Research Fellow,
shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory activity, lipid, glucose,
Canadian College
and blood pressure lowering effects, anti-allergic effects, as well as
of Naturopathic Medicine
hfritz@ccnm.edu neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and smooth muscle relaxing effects.
Bolton Naturopathic Clinic Preclinical research has indicated potentially important anticancer
64 King St W, Bolton, effects, though this has yet to be investigated in human studies.
Ontario, L7E1C7 These effects have been attributed in large part to the constituent
thymoquinone. This long list of therapeutic effects demonstrated by
scientific research reinforces the traditional view of this impressive herb.

Introduction anodyne, sudorific, febrifuge, expectorant,

Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin,
is part of the Ranunculaceae family and
an herb with a long history of traditional
use in southeast Asia, Egypt, Greece, and
the Middle East (Khan 2011). Nigella was
regarded as a panacea by the ancients, and
played a central role in the medical practice
of Middle Eastern and South Asian societies
for over 2000 years, where it was used for the
treatment of a range of conditions including
asthma, headache, dysentery, infection, back
pain, dermatological and gastrointestinal
conditions (Isik 2010). In traditional Indian
medicine, Nigella seeds are astringent,
bitter, stimulant, diuretic, emmenagogue,
anthelmintic, galactogogue, carminative,
purgative, and abortifacient (Parrakh 2010).
The medieval Islamic philosopher Avicenna
wrote of Nigella in his Canon of Medicine,
that it stimulates the bodys energy and helps
recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness
(Parrakh 2010). Mohammed is reported to
have said that the seed has the power to cure
every disease except death (Parrakh 2010).
Medicinally, Nigella has been used in
the form of crushed seed, oil, and water
extract. The activity of Nigella has been
attributed in to its thymoquinone content,
which is present in both the fixed and
essential oils of Nigella; thymoquinone has
been extracted and used therapeutically in
isolation (Akhondian 2011, Paarakh 2010).

64 www.ihpmagazine.com l September 2013


Nigella oil also contains plant sterols, as well as
25% oleic acid/ 55% linoleic acid, nigellone,
and volatile oils including thymol, limonene,
and carvacrol (Isik 2010, Paarakh 2010). It is
also possible that fibre content may mediate
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part of the metabolic effects of Nigella.
Mechanism of Action:
Preclinical Evidence
There is a wealth of information on
Nigella and thymoquinione derived from
preclinical research. Thymoquinone appears
to be capable of protecting tissues and organs
from various types of damage due to anti-
inflammatory and antioxidant activity, and
has also been investigated for its anticancer
effects (Woo 2012). In animal models of
diabetes, thymoquinone was shown to inhibit
cellular expression of the COX-2 enzyme
and increased levels of the antioxidant
enzyme superoxide dismutase (Al Wafai
2013). In models of hyperlipidemia, Nigella
sativa volatile oil and methanol extract have
both been shown to reduce triglyceride and
increase HDL, as well as decrease hepatic
HMG-CoA reductase activity (Ahmad 2013).
In smooth muscle tissue, including intestinal
and bronchial tissue, thymoquinone has been
shown to inhibit spontaneous contraction via
inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels
(Ghayur 2012). Thymoquinone has also been
shown to inhibit liver fibrosis (Bai 2013);
attenuate lung injury and fibrosis (El-Khouly
2012); attenuate diabetic nephropathy
(Sayed 2012); prevent E. coli induced tissue
damage in bacterial prostatitis (Inci 2013);
and prevent dextran sulfate sodium-induced
colitis (Lei 2012).
In an animal model of epilepsy,
thymoquinone was shown to have antioxidant
effects in attenuating malondialdehyde
(a marker of lipid peroxidation), reduced
neurodegenerative changes and neuron
loss, and decreased the number of reactive
astrocytes (astrogliosis) (Dariani 2013).
Thymoquinone has also been shown to have
protective effects against amyloid -induced
neurotoxicity, leading to the suggestion that
Nigella may have therapeutic potential in
Alzheimers disease (Alhebshi 2013).
Nigella and its constituent thymoquinone
have also been extensively studied in lab models
for its anticancer effects. Thymoquinone has
been shown to have pro-apoptotic effects
in breast cancer, including synergistically
with tamoxifen (Rajput 2013); and has been
The Journal of IHP
shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and
invasiveness in lung, liver, colon, melanoma,
and breast cancer cells (Attoub 2012). This is
an area where further research is needed to
investigate these promising activities.
Clinical Trials
There is a well-developed body of evidence
investigating Nigella in humans. Nigella
has been shown to have anti-diabetic, blood
pressure and cholesterol lowering effects.
It also has activity against specific types of
infection, possesses anti-allergic effects,
and improves rheumatoid arthritis as well
as pediatric seizures. Table 1 summarizes all
available evidence from human intervention
trials concerning the herb as identified
1
through Pubmed and Google Scholar.
In metabolic syndrome, Nigella seed has
been shown to significantly decrease total
cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride (Dehkordi
2008, Sabzghabaee 2012), improve fasting and
post-prandial glucose and HbA1C (Bamosa
2010), decrease systolic blood pressure
(Datau 2010, Dehkordi 2008) by almost 10
points in one study (Datau 2010), as well as
promote reduction of body weight and waist
circumference (Datau 2010). In the area of
allergy and asthma, Nigella oil or extract has
been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of
allergic rhinitis (Kalus 2003,Nikakhlagh 2011),
as well as reduce the severity and frequency of
asthma symptoms, improve lung function tests,
and reduce the need for asthma medications
(Boskabady 2007). Also related to respiratory
function are two studies showing that Nigella
can act as an antimicrobial agent in acute
pharyngitis (Dirjomuljono 2008), and improve
lung function, respiratory symptoms, as well
as medication requirements in patients who
were victims of chemical warfare (Boskabady
2008). One study found that Nigella seed in
combination with omeprazole was equal to
triple therapy in the eradication of H. pylori
(Salem 2010). Finally, one study each showed
that Nigella was effective in reducing disease
activity of rheumatoid arthritis (Gheita 2012),
and reduce the frequency of seizures in patients
with refractory epilepsy (Akhondian 2011).
Dosage
The effective dosage forms and quantities
of Nigella used include 2g of ground
seeds in metabolic syndrome or syndrome
components (Sabzghabaee 2012); 1-4g seed
oil for inflammatory conditions such as
September 2013 l www.ihpmagazine.com 65
 The Journal of IHP
Table 1. Human clinical trials of Nigella sativa
Indication Design Dose Outcome Ref

Metabolic syndrome

Hyperlipidemia RPCT; N=88 subjects 2g crushed Nigella Significant decreases in: Sabzghabaee
with TC>200 mg/dL seeds or placebo (in TC by 4.78%; LDL by 7.6%; TG by 16.65%. No change in 2012 [Abstr]
500mg caps) x4wk fasting glucose or HDL.

Metabolic RDBPCT; N=40 1.5g Nigella seed or Body weight, waist circumference, and systolic blood Datau 2010
syndrome obese men with no placebo twice daily pressure decreased in the Nigella group only (p<0.05 for all
more than stage I x 3mo compared to baseline), while these increased in the placebo
hypertension and group:
normal or impaired body weight 77kg 72 kg at 3 months;
glucose
waist circumference 101 99.8cm; and systolic BP 130
121.

Metabolic RDBPCT; N=123 2g crushed Favorable impact of powdered N. sativa (Kalonji) seed Qidwai 2009
syndrome patients Nigella seed, in capsule was noted on almost all variables [body-mass
components or placebo x6wk index, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar,
lipids, ALT, and creatinine], but results were not statistically
significant because of small sample size.

Hypertension RDBPCT; N=119 100 or 200mg There was a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood Dehkordi 2008
patients with Nigella boiled seed pressure in both Nigella groups, in a dose-dependent
hypertension below extract twice daily manner, that was significant compared to placebo (p<0.05
160/100 x8wk, or placebo for all). In addition, there was a significant reduction in TC
and LDL compared to baseline in the Nigella group (p<0.05
for all).

Allergy

Allergic rhinitis DBPCT; N=66 patients Nigella oil 0.5mL x N. sativa reduced the presence of the nasal mucosal Nikakhlagh
30d, or placebo congestion, nasal itching, runny nose, sneezing attacks, 2011 [Abstr]
turbinate hypertrophy, and mucosal pallor within the first 2
weeks of treatment.

Asthma RPCT; N= 29 asthma 15 mL/kg of 0.1 g% In the Nigella group the following symptoms improved Boskabady
patients boiled aqueous significantly 3 months compared with baseline and with 2007 [Abstr]
seed extract daily placebo: asthma symptoms, frequency of asthma symptoms
x 3mo, or placebo per week, chest wheezing, and pulmonary function tests.
solution Requirements for medications decreased in the Nigella but
not in the placebo group.

Allergy Report of 4 trials; N= Nigella seed oil: Subjective report of symptoms severity improved with Kalus 2003
152 patients with 1.5-4.0g per day in Nigella treatment.
allergic diseases 500mg caps
(allergic rhinitis,
bronchial asthma,
atopic eczema

Infection

H. pylori & RCT; 4 groups: H. pylori eradication was 82.6, 47.6, 66.7 and 47.8% with Salem 2010
dyspepsia N=88 patients with i) triple therapy OR triple therapy, and 1g, 2g, and 3g Nigella, respectively.
non-ulcer dyspepsia Eradication rates (based on H pylori antibody presence in
ii) 1, 2, or 3g Nigella
and positive H. pylori the stool) with 2g Nigella + omeprazole and triple therapy
in addition to
breath test were not statistically different.
omeprazole x4wk;
Dyspepsia symptoms improved in all groups to a similar
Nigella as
extent.
ground seed.

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 The Journal of IHP

Acute tonsillo- RDBPCT; Combination of The Nigella extract led to relief of the pain and difficulty of Dirjomuljono
pharyngitis N=200 patients Nigella sativa swallowing within a few hours after the first dose. After 7 2008 [Abstr]
with acute tonsillo- 360mg and days, a significantly greater proportion of patients in the
pharyngitis Phyllanthus niruri Nigella group had their sore throat completely relieved.
50mg extract 3x/d
x7d, or placebo

Miscellaneous

Rheumatoid PCT, x-over; 1g Nigella seed Disease activity improved in 42.5% and 30% of the patients Gheita 2012
arthritis N=40 female RA oil or placebo (in respectively after Nigella.
patients; all were 500mg caps) x 1mo The number of swollen joints and the duration of morning
on combined drug stiffness also improved.
therapy.

Pediatric DBPCT x-over; 1mg/kg Thymoquinone treatment resulted in a significant reduction Akhondian
seizure N=22 children with thymoquinone in seizure frequency compared to placebo (P=0.04). 2011 [Abstr]
refractory epilepsy from Nigella seed
or placebo x 4wk

Pulmonary
function
RDBPCT;
N=40 chemical
war victims with
respiratory symptoms
0.375 mL/kg of
50g% boiled
aqueous Nigella
seed extract daily x
At study end,pulmonary function tests and respiratory
symptoms were significantly improved in the Nigella group
compared to the control group (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001).
Requirements for medication were decreased in the Nigella
Boskabady
2008 [Abstr] 1
2mo, or placebo but not the placebo group.

allergy and arthritis (Gheita 2012, Kalus 2003); 1mg/kg including pharyngitis and H. pylori, as well as refractory
thymoquinone in pediatric seizure (Akhondian 2011); epilepsy. Further research is needed to elucidate the
and varying doses of a boiled aqueous extract (Boskabady potential anticancer effects of Nigella suggested by
2007, Boskabady 2008). preclinical findings.

Safety
Based on the studies in Table 1 as well as the impressive
range of activities demonstrated in preclinical research,
Nigella appears to possess powerful disease modifying
potential in a range of conditions. The only adverse events
reported with any consistency among the trials were mild
gastrointestinal upset (Akhondion 2011, Bamosa 2010,
Salem 2010). Overall, Nigella and/ or thymoquinone
appears to have a good safety profile (Al-Ali 2008). In
animals, toxicity was demonstrated only at dosages of 250
mg/kg thymoquinone by oral route (maximum tolerated
dose) (Abukhader 2012). When given by intraperitoneal
injection, toxicity occurred at a dose of between
15-20mg/kg thymoquinone, more than 10-fold the dose
used in human trials (Abukhader 2012). Signs of toxicity
were acute pancreatitis and peritonitis (Abukhader
2012). In another study, the LD50 of thymoquinone by
oral administration was 870.9 mg/kg, more than 100 to
150-fold higher than the therapeutic dose (Al-Ali 2008).
Conclusion
Nigella sativa is a highly regarded herb with a long
tradition of use for infection, conditions of inflammation,
respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, and more.
Human trials have demonstrated benefits from Nigella
seed in metabolic conditions such as dyslipidemia, type 2
diabetes, and hypertension; and Nigella oil or extract in
allergy and asthma, inflammatory conditions, infections
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