Phytochemistry and Pharmacological review: Nigella sativa

Abstract

Habba-tul-barka or Black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It is an important seeds due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. N. sativa is widely distributed worldwide and, therefore, has a broad genetic diversity, resulting in differences in their phytochemical composition. The scientific community has focused on the positive health effects of N. sativa as a whole, but the different varieties have rarely been compared according to their bioactive compounds and bioactivity. This review aims to provide a holistic overview of the current knowledge on the bioactivity of N. sativa. This review intends to provide a general and organized overview of the accumulated knowledge on N. sativa, identify the most bioactive varieties, their potential consumption pathways, and provide knowledge on the present gaps to guide future research.