Current Research

Black Seed: The Miracle Herb of the Century
By W.Goreja

That may sound like an exaggeration, but in fact, history shows us that this extraordinary herb may just be the primary health-bolstering agent of the millennium.

Black Seed or “blessed seed” has been in existence for over a thousand years and has been used by millions of people throughout the ages.  Black Seed is mentioned in the Old Testament in the Book of Isaiah and also in Islamic literature.  The Latin botanical name is “Nigella Sativa.” Nigella Sativa is a member of the Ranunculacae family.

In Egyptian society, the rich golden oil pressed from the Black Seed was named “Pharaoh’s Oil.” The people in this civilization used this oil as an external application to nourish the skin.  The Pharaoh’s personal physician is said to have carried around a bowl of Black Seed to aid digestion.  The Black Seed was so treasured that King Tutenkhamun chose to be buried with a bottle of it.

Over the last five decades, there have been hundreds of studies on Black Seed alone or combined with other botanicals which have shown remarkable results for: asthma, allergies, immune support and anti-viral properties other various conditions. A recent search on Medline for “Nigella Sativa” (the botanical name of Black Seed) resulted in over 500 studies and research projects.

Remarkably, Black Seed contains over 100 components, of which only sixty-nine of which have been identified. Research has shown that this complex interaction of over 100 components gives Black Seed tremendous power to regulate the immune function and strengthen the body’s constitution in a way no single substance has ever been known to accomplish.

This means that Black Seed is useful against a vast array of ailments from those caused by bacteria or viruses, to common allergies.  In the coming years, additional studies may show exciting new applications of Black Seed.

Amazing Herbs Nutraceuticals is one of the first companies in the US to manufacture and distributed a complete line of nutritional supplements made with the remarkable Black Seed and Black Seed Oil.

The product line consists of cold-pressed Black Seed oil, Black Seed oil softgel capsules, as well as Black Seed capsules made with variety of synergistic herbs such as Garlic, Ginger, Fenugreek, and Olive Leaf just to name a few.

The five major components that are found in Amazing Herbs Black Seed are:

• Nigellin and Melanthin- promotes intestinal cleansing.
• Sterols- Supports secretion throughout the body.
• Nigellone and Thymoquinone- These two volatile oils have anti-spasmodic and broncho-dialating properties.  Additionally, they work as an antihistamine.
• Essential Fatty Acids - Rich in supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids.  They regulate metabolism, carry toxins to the skin for elimination, balance insulin levels, regulate cholesterol, improve blood circulation and help liver functions.
• Prostglandin- Produces E1 that regulates hormone secretion and lowers blood pressure.

Below is a collection of abstracts of recent research papers published on Black Seed (Nigella Sativa).

The medicinal potential of black seed (Nigella sativa) and its components  
Advances in Phytomedicine, Volume 2, 2006, Pages 133-153
Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Nahed El-Najjar, Regine Schneider-Stock

Abstract
The seeds of Nigella sativa L., commonly known as black seed, have been used in traditional medicine by many Asian, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern Countries to treat headache, coughs, abdominal pain, diarrhea, asthma, rheumatism and other diseases. The seeds of this plant are the most extensively studied, both phytochemically and pharmacologically. The aqueous and oil extracts of the seeds have been shown to possess antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. Thymoquinone, the most abundant constituent of black seed essential oil, has been shown to be the active principle responsible for many of the seed's beneficial effects. This review paper describes the seed, its chemical components and popular uses in traditional medicine. The paper also discusses the medicinal potential and therapeutic values of some of the individual components present in the extracts of the seeds.

Levels of selenium, dl-α-tocopherol, dl-γ-tocopherol, all-trans-retinol, thymoquinone and thymol in different brands of Nigella sativa seeds  
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Volume 19, Issues 2-3, March-May 2006, Pages 167-175
Iman A. Al-Saleh, Grisellhi Billedo, Inaam I. El-Doush

Abstract
The seeds of Nigella sativa are used commonly in the Middle East as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of health conditions. This paper examines the levels of selenium, dl-α-tocopherol, dl-γ-tocopherol, all-trans-retinol, thymoquinone and thymol in different brands of N. sativa seeds purchased from local markets in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Selenium was determined by the inductively coupled plasma spectrometry coupled with the hydride system.dl-α-tocopherol, dl-γ-tocopherol, all-trans-retinol, thymoquinone and thymol were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The average mean concentrations (mg/kg fresh weight) of selenium, dl-α-tocopherol, dl-γ-tocopherol, all-trans-retinol, thymoquinone and thymol in all tested seeds were 0.17±0.10, 9.02±4.84, 5.42±3.96, 0.27±0.27, 2224.49±1629.50 and 169.35±100.12, respectively. The concentrations of these analytes were significantly affected by the country of origin of the N. sativa. It is concluded that N. sativa provides an important source of antioxidants.

The effect of Nigella sativa oil against the liver damage induced by Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 79, Issue 1, February 2002, Pages 1-11
M. R. Mahmoud, H. S. El-Abhar, S. Saleh

Abstract
It has been reported that Nigella sativa oil possesses anticestode and antinematode actions. Besides, it produced a hepatoprotective effect in some models of liver toxicity. Therefore, our aim in this work was to study the effect of theNigella oil (N.O) on Schistosomiasis mansoni infected mice. The oil was given in two dose levels (2.5 and 5 ml/kg, orally for two weeks) either alone or in combination with praziquantel (PZQ), the drug of choice for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Three aspects of drug action were investigated, the effect on Schistosomiasis mansoni infection, the effect on liver functions, and on redox state. The parasitological investigation included worm distribution, oogram pattern and ova count. Furthermore, liver granuloma diameters were measured. The biochemical parameters were the serum level of -alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), albumin (Alb) and total protein. Moreover, to assess the antioxidant capability of the Nigella oil, four parameters were studied, viz., liver lipid peroxide (LPD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents and the activity of the defence enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). When the oil was given alone, it reduced the number of S. mansoni worms in the liver and decreased the total number of ova deposited in both the liver and the intestine. Furthermore, it increased the number of dead ova in the intestinal wall and reduced the granuloma diameters markedly. When N.O was administered in combination with PZQ, the most prominent effect was a further lowering in the dead ova number over that produced by PZQ alone. Concerning the biochemical parameters, infection of mice withS. mansoni produced a pronounced elevation in the serum activity of ALT, GGT, with a slight increase in AP level. However, it tended to reduce serum albumin level. These changes were accompanied with an alteration in the liver contents of LPD and GSH along with a significant decline in the activity of the cytosolic SOD and LDH. Administration of Nigella sativa oil succeeded partially to correct the previous changes in ALT, GGT, AP activity, as well as the Alb content in serum. However, it failed in the liver to restore either LPD and GSH content or LDH and SOD activities to normal level. These results suggest that Nigella sativa oil may play a role against the alterations caused by S. mansoni infection, an effect which may be induced partly by improving the immunological host system and to some extent with its antioxidant effect.

Nigella sativa modulates splenocyte proliferation, Th1/Th2 cytokine profile, macrophage function and NK anti-tumor activity  
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 131, Issue 2, 15 September 2010, Pages 268-275
Amin F. Majdalawieh, Reem Hmaidan, Ronald I. Carr

Abstract

Aim of the study

Nigella sativa, also known as blackseed, has long been used in traditional medicine for treating various conditions related to the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems as well as different types of cancers. In this study, the potential immunomodulatory effects of Nigella sativa are investigated in light of splenocyte proliferation, macrophage function, and NK anti-tumor activity using BLAB/c and C57/BL6 primary cells.

Materials and methods

Splenocyte proliferation was assessed by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Griess assay was performed to evaluate NO production by macrophages. ELISA was performed to measure the level of cytokines secreted by splenocytes and macrophages. NK cytotoxic activity against YAC-1 tumor cells was examined by JAM assay.

Results

We demonstrate that the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa significantly enhances splenocyte proliferation in a dose–responsive manner. In addition, the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa favors the secretion of Th2, versus Th1, cytokines by splenocytes. The secretion of IL-6, TNFα, and NO; key pro-inflammatory mediators, by primary macrophages is significantly suppressed by the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa, indicating that Nigella sativaexerts anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. Finally, experimental evidence indicates that the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa significantly enhances NK cytotoxic activity against YAC-1 tumor cells, suggesting that the documented anti-tumor effects of Nigella sativa may be, at least in part, attributed to its ability to serve as a stimulant of NK anti-tumor activity.

Conclusions

Our data present Nigella sativa as a traditionally used herb with potent immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. We anticipate that Nigella sativa ingredients may be employed as effective therapeutic agents in the regulation of diverse immune reactions implicated in various conditions and diseases such as cancer.

Immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties of the Nigella sativa L. seed  
International Immunopharmacology, Volume 5, Issues 13-14, December 2005, Pages 1749-1770
Mohamed Labib Salem

Abstract
A larger number of medicinal plants and their purified constituents have been shown beneficial therapeutic potentials. Seeds of Nigella sativa, a dicotyledon of the Ranunculaceae family, have been employed for thousands of years as a spice and food preservative. The oil and seed constituents, in particular thymoquinine (TQ), have shown potential medicinal properties in traditional medicine. In view of the recent literature, this article lists and discusses different immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic potentials for the crude oil of N. sativa seeds and its active ingredients. The published findings provide clear evidence that both the oil and its active ingredients, in particular TQ, possess reproducible anti-oxidant effects through enhancing the oxidant scavenger system, which as a consequence lead to antitoxic effects induced by several insults. The oil and TQ have shown also potent anti-inflammatory effects on several inflammation-based models including experimental encephalomyelitis, colitis, peritonitis, oedama, and arthritis through suppression of the inflammatory mediators prostaglandins and leukotriens. The oil and certain active ingredients showed beneficial immunomodulatory properties, augmenting the T cell- and natural killer cell-mediated immune responses. Most importantly, both the oil and its active ingredients expressed anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties toward different microbes and cancers. Coupling these beneficial effects with its use in folk medicine, N. sativa seed is a promising source for active ingredients that would be with potential therapeutic modalities in different clinical settings. The efficacy of the active ingredients, however, should be measured by the nature of the disease. Given their potent immunomodulatory effects, further studies are urgently required to explore bystander effects of TQ on the professional antigen presenting cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as its modulatory effects upon Th1- and Th2-mediated inflammatory immune diseases. Ultimately, results emerging from such studies will substantially improve the immunotherapeutic application of TQ in clinical settings.

Neuropharmacological activity of Nigella sativa L. extracts  
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 88, Issue 1, September 2003, Pages 63-68
T. B. Al-Naggar, M. P. Gómez-Serranillos, M. E. Carretero, A. M. Villar

Abstract
Pharmacological studies have been conducted on the aqueous and methanol extracts of defatted Nigella sativa L. seeds to evaluate their effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and on analgesic activity. The observations suggest that the two extracts of Nigella sativa possesses a potent CNS and analgesic activity (depressant action especially in the case of the methanolic extract).

Antiasthmatic effect of Nigella sativa in airways of asthmatic patients  
Phytomedicine, Volume 17, Issue 10, August 2010, Pages 707-713
M.H. Boskabady, N. Mohsenpoor, L. Takaloo

Abstract
In the present study, the antiasthmatic (bronchodilatory) effect of the boiled extract of Nigella sativa in the airways of asthmatic patients was examined.The bronchodilatory effects of 50 and 100 mg/kg of boiled extract in comparison with 6 mg/kg theophylline were studied on 15 asthmatic patients. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF), maximal expiratory flow at 75, 50 and 25% of the FVC (MEF75, MEF50, and MEF25, respectively) and specific airway conductance (sGaw) were measured before administration and repeated , 30, 60, 90 120, 150, and 180 min after administration of the oral extract and theophylline.

The results showed that the extract caused significant increases in all measured pulmonary function tests (PFTs), in most time intervals, (p<0.05 to p<0.001). However, the increase in FEV1, MMEF and MEF50 due to both doses of boiled extract and increase in MEF75 and MEF25 due to its lower doses were significantly lower than those of theophylline (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The onset of brochodilatory effect of extract was similar to that of theophylline beginning 30 min, and the effect of extract decline after 150 min following administration similar to the effect of theophylline. The effect of both doses of the extract was also significantly less than that of salbutamol at 30 minutes post administration (p<0.001 for all cases).
The results of the present study showed that Nigella sativa has a relatively potent antiasthmatic effect on asthmatic airways. However, the effects of boiled extract of this plant on most measured PFTs was less than those of theophylline at concentrations used.

Nigella sativa inhibits intestinal glucose absorption and improves glucose tolerance in rats 
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 121, Issue 3, 30 January 2009, Pages 419-424
Bouchra Meddah, Robert Ducroc, Moulay El Abbes Faouzi, Bruno Eto, Lahcen Mahraoui, Ali Benhaddou-Andaloussi, Louis Charles Martineau, Yahia Cherrah, Pierre Selim Haddad

Abstract

Aim of the study

Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) seeds have been used traditionally for centuries, notably for treating diabetes.

Materials and methods

We studied the effects of the crude aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds on intestinal glucose absorption in vitrousing a short-circuit current technique and in vivo using an oral glucose tolerance test.

Results

The aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (0.1 pg/ml to 100 ng/ml) exerted dose-dependent inhibition of sodium-dependent glucose transport across isolated rat jejunum. Maximal inhibition exceeded 80% and IC50 was close to 10 pg/ml. An oral glucose tolerance test was carried out in rats after the initial dose and after a 6-week treatment ofNigella sativa (2 g/(kg day)), and compared to metformin (300 mg/(kg day)). Chronic Nigella sativa treatment improved glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin. Nigella sativa and metformin also reduced body weight without any toxic effect.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that Nigella sativa directly inhibits the electrogenic intestinal absorption of glucose in vitro. Together with the observed improvement of glucose tolerance and body weight in rats after chronic oral administration in vivo, these effects further validate the traditional use of Nigella sativa seeds against diabetes.

The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity of Nigella sativa  
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 76, Issue 1, June 2001, Pages 45-48
M. S. Al-Ghamdi

Abstract

The aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) was investigated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in animal models. The extract has an anti-inflammatory effect demonstrated by its inhibitory effects on Carrageenan induced paw edema. It also produced significant increase in the hot plate reaction time in mice indicating analgesic effect. However, N. sativa crude suspension had no effect on yeast induced pyrexia. This study therefore, supports its use in folk medicine both as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent and calls for further investigations to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Thymoquinone: A promising anti-cancer drug from natural sources  
The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Volume 38, Issue 8, 2006, Pages 1249-1253
Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Albert Roessner, Regine Schneider-Stock

Abstract

There has been growing interest in naturally occurring compounds with anti-cancer potential. Black seed is one of the most extensively studied plants. This annual herb grows in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and India. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the bioactive constituent of the volatile oil of black seed. It has been shown to exert anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects. The molecular pathways of TQ action are not clear. Nevertheless, TQ is known to induce apoptosis by p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways in cancer cell lines. Growth inhibition is associated with induction of cell cycle arrest. TQ also acts on the immune system by modulating the levels of inflammatory mediators. To date, the chemotherapeutic potential of TQ in the clinic has not been tested, but numerous studies have shown its promising anti-cancer effects in animal models. The combination of TQ with clinically used anti-cancer drugs has led to improvements in their therapeutic index and prevents non-tumor tissues from sustaining chemotherapy-induced damage.