Black Seed Products

Antioxidant activity of Nigella Sativa essential oil. by M Burits, F BucarAbstract The essential oil of Black Cumin seeds, Nigella Sativa L., was tested for a possible antioxidant activity. A rapid evaluation for antioxidants, using two TLC screening methods, showed that thymoquinone and the components carvacrol, t-anethole and 4-terpineol demonstrated respectable radical scavenging property. These four constituents and the essential oil possessed variable antioxidant activity when tested in the diphenylpicrylhydracyl assay for non-specific hydrogen atom or electron donating activity. They were also effective.OH radical scavenging agents in the assay for non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation in liposomes and the deoxyribose degradation assay. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil obtained from six different samples of Nigella sativa seeds and from a commercial fixed oil showed that the qualitative composition of the volatile compounds was almost identical. Differences were mainly restricted to the quantitative composition....

Effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of powdered Nigella Sativa (kalonji) seed in capsules on serum lipid levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, and body weight in adults: results of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Qidwai W, Hamza HB, Qureshi R, Gilani A.Source 1 Department of Family Medicine, Aga Khan University, Stadium RoadP.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Abstract OBJECTIVE: The seed extracts from Nigella Sativa is used by Unani physicians of traditional medicine (Hakims or Tabibs) and Ayurvedic practitioners (Vaids) in the treatment of several medical disorders including dyslipidemia, obesity, and hypertension. It is, therefore, important to prove or disprove the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of powdered N. sativa (Kalonji) seed in capsules on serum lipid levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, and body weight in adults. DESIGN: The study design was a randomized, double-blind trial. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from February 2006 to January 2007. SUBJECTS: Half of the respondents received powdered N. sativa (Kalonji) seed in capsule and the rest received a placebo. INTERVENTION/OUTCOME: Baseline and after-intervention variables recorded were the following: body-mass index, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, serum lipids, serum alanine aminotransferase, and serum creatinine. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three (123) patients...

What is Black Seed? An annual herbaceous plant, Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) is believed to be indigenous to the Mediterranean region but has been cultivated into other parts of the world including Saudi Arabia, northern Africa and parts of Asia. Tiny and hairy, being no more than 3mm in length, black seed originates from the common fennel flower plant (Nigella Sativa) of the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. Nigella sativa is sometimes mistakenly confused with the fennel herb plant (Foeniculum vulgare). The plant has finely divided foliage and pale bluish purple or white flowers. The flowers grow terminally on its branches while the leaves grow opposite each other in pairs, on either side of the stem. Its lower leaves are small and petiole, and the upper leaves are long (6-10cm). The stalk of the plant reaches a height of twelve to eighteen inches as its fruit, the black seed, matures. Nigella sativa reproduces with itself and forms a fruit capsule which consists of many white trigonal seeds. Once the fruit capsule has matured, it opens up and the seeds contained within are exposed to the air, becoming black in color (black seeds). Nigella sativa and its black seed are known by other names,...