A Review on Therapeutic Applications of Nigella Sativa

ABSTRACT Nigella sativa is widely used medicinal plant throughout India and popular in various indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Tibb. one of the traditionally known herb well known for its healing properties. This review mainly focuses on the pharmacological action of seed extracts, oils and active constituents for their wide spectrum biological properties such as antioxidant, anti diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-cancerous, etc. Very low level of toxicity has been reported through and chronic toxicity studies. Since the N.sativa seeds hold immense therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, more clinical studies are needed to further asses the efficacy and safety in therapeutic applications. The present review is therefore an effort to give a survey of literature on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Nigella sativa seed