A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa (kalonji) seeds

Abstract

Nigella sativa name as black seed or Kalonji seed belongs to family of rananculacea. It is widely grown in different part of world and is an annual herb cultivated in India and Pakistan, Phytochemically; it contains fixed oil, protein, alkaloids saponin and essential oil. N. sativa has been reported to possess potent antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiparasitic, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-ulcer, anti-histaminic etc. The present article reviews on morphology, cultivation, chemical constituent and therapeutic potential as well as clinical aspect and toxicity of N. sativa seed. Key words: Nigella sativa, morphology, cultivation, chemical constituents, therapeutic potential, clinical aspects and toxicity.