Future Perspectives on Nigella sativa: Characterization and Pharmacological Properties

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Series: Herbs and Herbalism
BISAC: SCI011000

The aim of this publication is to provide up-to-date information about the recent developments in biochemical methodologies and strategies for Nigella sativa phytochemicals isolation and identification, as well as to highlight the most relevant data about its pharmacological importance in relation with its health promoting benefits actions.

Because of its rich historical background, extensive researches were carried out to evidence the pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa and to explain the mechanisms behind it. Studies have shown the wide spectrum of its pharmacological effects, such as antimicrobial (especially on multiple-antibiotic resistant bacteria), nephroprotective, diuretic and antihypertensive, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemic, anticancer activity, neuroprotective, antinociceptive, pulmonary-protective and antiasthmatic, antihistaminic, gastro-protective activity, antioxidant activity, antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

The pharmacological effects are in strong correlation with the high diversity of phytochemicals (over 100 compounds). The most valuable bioactive compounds identified in Nigella sativa are thymoquinone, thymol, thymohydroquinone, retinol (vitamin A), carotenoids (β-carotene), p-cymene, carvacol, α-pinene and β-pinene, fatty acids (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, linolenic acid, myristoleic acid and others), sterols (e.g., β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol) and tocopherols (α, β, and γ). Also, Nigella sativa is a good source of minerals (calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, copper, and selenium) and vitamins (vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, folic acid, and vitamin C).

The structural diversity of phytochemicals together with their health promoting benefits contributes to the high diversity of plant analysis methods like extraction, separation and detection as well as a wide variety of conditioning forms (as seeds, seed extracts, seed oil, or in different formulations, like dietary supplemental products, spices or cosmetic formulations). Also, its rich composition in bioactive compounds – together with its numerous health benefits proved over time – has contributed to the long term traditional use of Nigella sativa within traditional medicine. Taking these into account, another aim of this publication is to provide up-to-date and structured information regarding the safe use of Nigella sativa as a complementary treatment in different diseases in terms of reducing the risks and side effects of common treatments.

 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1. Phytochemicals of Nigella sativa: Structure, Detection and Conditioning
(Raluca Maria Pop, Claudia Militaru, and Veronica Sanda Chedea, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and others)

Chapter 2. Nigella sativa Bioactive Components: Key Aspects of Pharmacological Effects
(Veronica Sanda Chedea, Raluca Maria Pop and Mircea Cătălin Rotar, Laboratory of Animal Biology, National Research and Development Institute for Biology and Animal Nutrition, Baloteşti (INCDBNA-IBNA) Baloteşti, Ilfov, Romania, and others)

Chapter 3. Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology of Nigella sativa and Its Relevant Constituents
(Octavia Sabin and Anca Dana Buzoianu, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu”, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Chapter 4. Anti-Inflammatory, Immunomodulatory and Antiallergic Effects of Nigella sativa
(Corina Ioana Bocsan, Maria Neag, Mihnea Tudor Zdrenghea, and Anca Dana Buzoianu, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and others)

Chapter 5. Nigella sativa as an Adjunctive Therapy for Rheumatic Diseases
(Ruxandra Elena Schiotis and Dana Goşa, Department of Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Chapter 6. The Use of Nigella sativa in Various Cardiovascular Diseases
(Ştefan Cristian Vesa and Mădălina Sava, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and others)

Chapter 7. Nigella sativa, Microbiota and Gastro-Intestinal Cancer
(Maria Neag, Corina Ioana Bocsan, Cristian Ioan Crăciun, and Adrian Catinean, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and others)

Chapter 8. The Benefits of Nigella sativa in Various Skin Conditions
(Andreea Nicoleta Boca, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Chapter 9. Nigella sativa and its Neuro-Psycho-Pharmacological Effects: Can This Be the Treatment of Tomorrow?
(Sebastian-Mihai Armean and Krisztina-Agota Armean, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Index


Additional Information

Keywords: Nigella sativa, phytochemicals, extraction, detection, thymoquinone, therapeutic effects, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiallergic effects, rheumatic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, microbiota and gastro-intestinal cancer, skin conditions, neuro-psycho-pharmacological effects

The book will present valuable information for scientists in food and medical research. Also, significant data with importance for medical doctors will be reviewed. The health benefits and the mechanism of action in relation to the anti-inflammatory activity will be discussed in view of common inflammatory diseases. Regarding the non-professional category, the book addresses to the peoples interested in the safe use of medicinal plants. Thus, Nigella sativa (pharmacokinetic and toxicological data) as a complementary treatment in different diseases in the need of reducing the risks and side effects of common treatments will be presented.

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