Black Seed (Nigella Sativa)

Nigella sativa, commonly known as black seed or black cumin, is a flowering plant from the Ranunculaceae family native to southwestern Asia and the Mediterranean. Its seeds and cold-pressed oil have been used in Islamic, Ayurvedic, and Unani medicine systems for centuries. The principal bioactive compound is thymoquinone (TQ), a benzoquinone that constitutes 30–48% of the volatile oil. Thymoquinone acts as a potent antioxidant through direct free radical scavenging and upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase). It modulates inflammatory pathways by inhibiting NF-κB, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Clinical trials have demonstrated benefits in metabolic syndrome, showing reductions in fasting glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Emerging evidence supports immunomodulatory effects, with studies showing enhanced natural killer cell activity and T-helper cell balance.