A review on pharmacological activities and anti-microbial properties of <em>Nigella sativa</em> and isolated Thymoquinone

Abstract

Nigella sativa has been marked as precious medicinal herb consisting various bioactive compounds including Thymoquinone and very strengthen evidences can be found in literature in this regard. Nigella sativa has popularized as a miracle medicinal herb against pathogenic microorganisms including human infected deleterious viral species such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Recent animal studies have proved that, Nigella sativa seed extract can apply against virus species including Murine Cytomegalovirus (MCMV), Papaya Ring Spot Virus, Avian influenza (H9N2), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Virus. It is important to focus on Thymoquinone as main bioactive compound of the Nigella sativa. Among them, anti-cancer effect, cardiovascular effects, gastro-protective effect, anti-diabetic activity and free radicle scavenging activities are the most beneficial effects revealed in recent research studies. Hence, more discreet investigations required for the pharmacological actions of bioactive compounds of the Nigella sativa specially for the drug development.