Phytochemical Screening and Gas Chromatography -Mass Spectrometry and Analysis of Seed Extract of Nigella sativa Linn.

Abstract

Nigella sativa, Linn (Family-Ranunculaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout India, Nepal and popular in various indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Tibb. The seeds are used as astringent, bitter stimulant, diuretic, emmenagogue and anthelmintic. They are also useful in Jaundice, intermittent fever, dyspepsia, paralysis, piles and skin diseases. N. sativa seed extracts were screened for qualitative detection of secondary metabolites and it showed that steroids, tannins flavonoids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, saponins and diterpenes were present in methanolic extract of  N. sativa. So, my research article, included phytochemical screening, gas-chromatography- mass spectrometry determination of N. sativa seed extract need to be evaluated in scientific manner using specific experimental animal models and clinical trails are to be done to understand the molecular mechanism of action.