World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

ISSN (Print): 2321-3310; ISSN (Online): 2321-3086

Published by Atom and Cell Publishers All Rights Reserved
Available online at: http://www.wjpsonline.com/
Review Article

Black Seed (Nigella sativa) Possess Bioactive Compounds Act as Anti-Helicobacter pylori
Agent

1Saima Tariq, 2Tariq Masud, 3Shahina Tariq and 4Asma Sohail

1
PhD Scholar, Food Technology, Department of Food Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture
University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2
Chairman of Department of Food Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
3
Chairperson, Department of Meteorology COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
(CIIT) Islamabad, Pakistan
4
Assistant Professor, Department of Food Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Received: 18-01-2014 / Revised: 25-01-2014 / Accepted: 05-02-2014

ABSTRACT

Gastrointestinal associated problems are physiological processes effects almost every individual at some stage
of their life. Among the various plants studied previously Nigella sativa possess numerous therapeutic properties
including its anti-ulcer potential. This seed carries significant anti-ulcer properties arbitrated by antimicrobial
activities specifically against gastric damage induced by Helicobacter pylori. Evidence is available supporting
the utilization of NS and its bioactive components in a daily diet for health improvement. This review is
envisioned to emphasis on the curative role of NS and to provide an evidence for being a functional food to
protect from a range of malaises. An attempt is also made to emphasize aspects that need further investigations
for it to be use in clinics in future.

Key words: Nigella sativa, Black seed, Gastric ulcer, Helicobacter pylori

INTRODUCTION most abundant constituent of black seed essential

oil, has been shown to be the active principle
Black cumin (N. sativa L.) belongs to the family responsible for many of the seeds beneficial
Ranunculaceae. It is an annual flowering plant, effects. The medicinal potential and therapeutic
native to Southwest Asia. It grows 20-30 cm tall, values of some of the individual components are
with finely divided, linear leaves. The flowers are present in the extracts of the seeds [3].
usually pale blue and white, with 5-10 petals. The
fruit is a large inflated capsule composed of 3-7 N. sativa L. is said to be the universal remedy. It
united follicles, each containing numerous seeds [1, has an amazing healing power and its greatness has
2]. The seeds of N. sativa commonly known as been recorded in the Hadith stating that it could
black seed, have been used in traditional medicine cure any diseases except death. Most of the earlier
by many Asian, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern studies on N. sativa involved the use of either the
Countries to treat headache, coughs, abdominal seeds or the oil extracted from it. Such as, the
pain, diarrhea, asthma, rheumatism and other ethanol extract of N. sativa seeds has been shown
diseases. The seeds of this plant are the most to possess antitumor activity as well as lifespan
extensively studied, both phytochemically and expanding activity in mice bearing Ehrlich as cites
pharmacologically. The aqueous and oil extracts of tumor cells by Musa and co-workers [4]. The best
the seeds have been shown to possess antioxidant, extracting solvent was determined to be used for
anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic and black seed oil, in terms of time and most
antimicrobial activities. Thymoquinone (TQ), the importantly its yield. Rotary Evaporator employed

*Corresponding Author Address: Mrs. Saima Tariq, PhD Scholar Food Technology, Department of Food Technology, PMAS Arid
Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan Corresponding Author; email ID: [email protected]
 Saima et al., World J Pharm Sci 2014; 2(2); 203-209
with Ultra Sonic Bath is used in extraction process. amounts of volatile components, while its essential
Time and heat is chosen as the parameter to oils are composed of only volatiles [16]. The
manipulate and several trials is carried out [5]. bioactive components of the volatile
oil of N.sativa (54%) were discovered in relation to
According to the common practices of evidence- the conventional techniques of evidence-based
based herbal medicine the bioactive constituents herbal medicine, presenting that Thymoquinone
of the volatile oil of black seed (54 per cent) were (TQ) was the core bioactive component of N.sativa
identified by El-Dakhakhany 1963, showing that volatile oil even though it is complemented by
TQ(I) or, in short, TQ was the main active additional corresponding components such as
constituent of volatile oil of the black seed Thymol (II) and Thymoquinone dimer termed as
although it is accompanied by other analogous Dithymoquinone (TQ2, III). High Performance
compounds such as Thymol (II) and TQ dimer Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) separation of the
named as Dithymoquinone (TQ2, III) Furthermore, Nigella sativa oil has been practiced using mobile
traces of alkaloids were also found belonging to phase of water-methanol-2-propanol (50:45:5
two different types: isochinoline is represented by %v/v) isocratically. While nigellone is a carbonyl
nigellimine and nigellimin-Noxide and pyrazol polymer of TQ isolated from Black seed. The
includes nigellidine and nigellicine [7]. polymer is the bioactive source of the plant usually
Subsequently Morikawa et al. 2004 isolated new preserves much of the pharmacologic
dolabellane-type diterpene alkaloids, Nigellamines characteristics of TQ and found to be less
A(3), A(4), A(5), and C, from the methanolic toxic [17]. TQ has the mechanism of action of pro-
extract of black cumin. Afterwards, two new aptotic on proteins of prostate cancer cells and on
aliphatic compounds were separated from hexane cell regulatory cycles [18] and chemically belongs
extract of N. sativa [9]. The compounds were to the class of compound such as 2, 5-di-substituted
characterized as 16-triecosen-7-ol-1 and 6- benzoquinone, contains isopropyl groups and
nonadecanone-2. More recently, Mehta et al. methyl at C-5 and C-2 positions, respectively [19].
(2009) identified new saponin from its ethanolic A number of biochemical properties of TQ
extract. Black cumin seed contains fixed and generally derived from its antioxidant attributes.
essential oil; health claims are often attributed to Nigella sativa contains essential amino acids
functional ingredients present in them [11]. among them 15 are abundantly present. Which are
required numerous bodily functions in order to
Bioactive components of Nigella sativa L.: Black sustain health life. The key minerals components of
seed extracts have been literally well characterized black seed are potassium, iron, calcium and
with organic compounds including steroids, sodium. Black seed is high in essential fatty acids
essential and non-essential fatty acids, flavonoids, particularly Linoleic acid containing omega 6 fatty
carbohydrates, alkaloids etc. Some new extraction acid exhibit anti-cancerous characteristics.
techniques can be summarized, including According to similar studies it has been proved to
supercritical extraction techniques (SFE) and be useful in treatment of disorders like skin cancers
microwave assisted extraction (MAE). Beside the and cystic fibrosis, likewise two different types of
classical method of hydrodistillation (HD), usually alkaloids such as pyrazol comprises nigellidine and
employed for the isolation and screening of nigellicine and isochinoline is characterized by
unidentified new compounds [12]. Different oil nigellimine and nigellimin-N oxide [20].
extraction methods from N.sativa has been in
practice while microwave extraction method Latest research informed that thymoquinone
proved to be useful in producing higher quantities produces detrimental effects by overwhelming
of oil and gave best results regarding consumption androgen receptor and E2 F-on cell proliferation of
of less time for extraction process. One important several hormone-refractory prostate cancer and
aspect of this technique rather imparting green linings of cancerous cell 1[21]. The black seed is
effect on environment thus useful in reducing composed of fixed oil carries functional importance
pollution [13]. According to a scientific analysis of antioxidant being rich in volatiles (0.40-1.50%);
the compositional properties of Black seed have contain 46% monoterpenes and 18.4-
been illustrated i.e. ash, moisture, oil, proteins, and 24% thymoquinone [22]. Two new aliphatic
total carbohydrates contents in the range of 24.9- compounds 6-nonadecanone-2 and 16-triecosen-7-
40.0%, 3.7-8.0%, 22.2-39.35%, 20.75-32.1% and ol-1 were extracted from black seeds using hexane
3.74.7%, respectively [14,15]. Its medicinal as an extraction solvent, [23]. Black seed have been
potential has been ascribed to the active explored as a good source of selenium and
constituents that are generally concentrated in polyphenols. The ethanolic extracts of Nigella
essential or fixed oil. The essential oil of Black sativa produce saponin contents, [24].
Seed contains a lipid proportion containing fat- Correspondingly, the concentrations of selenium,
soluble vitamins, essential fatty acids and special DL--tocopherol and vitamin A (all-trans-retinol)

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in Black seed are found as 9.027, 0.177, 5.427, coli lipopolysaccharride. Nitric oxide production
0.277mg/kg seed, respectively [25]. was measured after 24 hours
The Nigella sativa comprised of Fat-soluble spectrophotometricaly. The plant extract caused a
vitamins, which are estimated as more than 0.2% of dose-dependent decrease in nitric oxide production.
total black seed oil components. "The black seed Moreover the boiled fraction of the extract resulted
exhibits anticancer activity due to containing in a dose-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide
abundant sterols in it, especially beta-sitosterol. apparently comparable to that of the whole extract.
The amount of -carotene is about 593g/g of oil. The study revealed that the aqueous extract of N.
One gram of black seed fixed oil comprises of 40, sativa seeds exhibits an inhibitory effect on nitric
284, 48, 225g of -Tocopherol, a-Tocopherol, d- oxide production by murine macrophages and the
Tocopherol and -Tocopherol. The essential active component(s) is/are non-protein in nature. In
component like vitamin E, vitamin A and selenium, view of the fact that nitric oxide is a pro-
are essential nutritional constituents necessary for inammatory mediator, this study validates the
conducting a healthy pattern of life [26, 27]. traditional use of the N. sativa seeds for the
treatment of rheumatism [36].
Nigella sativa seeds restricts DPPH radical Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is one of
development and mean values for IC50 (M) was the commonest pathogens encountered in clinical
found to be 515 20.1mg/mL [28]. Free radical as well as laboratory practice. It has become a
killing activity of DPPH stayed in the range of 60- major health problem worldwide. Alternate new
80% and 70-90% and for 5mg/mL of Black seed oil antimicrobials/agents are urgently needed to
using water and methanolic extracts, respectively overcome this problem. MRSA resistance to
[29]. The methanolic (80%) and aqueous extract of various anti-staphylococcal agents. N.sativa
Black seed resulted in marked inhibition of DPPH commonly known as black seed (ethanolic extract)
radicals with IC50 (mg dry wt) of 1.250.2 and contains the anti-staphylococcal activity. A disc
2.790.20, respectively [30]. Rich phytochemistry diffusion method was used to assess the
of black seed has the capacity to inhibit free antibacterial activity. S. aureus was used as the
radicals destruction activity by increasing the standard reference strain. All tested strains of
oxidative stress on the cells. MRSA were sensitive to N. sativa extract at a
concentration of 4 mg/disc while the extract had an
Antimicrobial Properties of Nigella sativa: A MIC range of 0.20.5 mg/ml. N. sativa has
shocking increase in bacterial resistance to inhibitory effect on MRSA evaluated by [37].
prevailing agents demands that improved efforts Treatment of H. pylori infection with antimicrobial
should be made to pursue antibacterial agents agents can lead to the regression of H. pylori-
operational against pathogenic bacteria resistant to associated disorders. Antibiotic resistance against
existing antimicrobials. Crude extracts and H. pylori is increasing, and it is necessary to find
essential oil of these seeds possess antibacterial new effective agents. N. sativa seed, a commonly
activities against several bacteria [31, 32, 33]. used herb, possesses In vitro anti- H. pylori
Nigella sativa L. (black seed) is an herbaceous activity. The efficacy studies of N. sativa were
plant, used for many times ago for the treatment conducted in eradication of H. pylori infection in
of various ailments, including infectious diseases. non-ulcer dyspeptic patients [38]. Most of the
However, the N. sativa extracts are effective bacterial pathogens are resistant to existing
against medically important actinomycete bacteria synthetic antibacterial agents demanding an
had not been studied. Aerobic actinomycetes increasing effort to seek effective phytochemicals
notably Nocardia, Gordonia, Mycobacterium, as antibacterial agents against toxic pathogens. The
Nocardia and Rhodococcusare known to have antibacterial activities of the extracts were
tough cell wall due to the mycolic acids contents investigated by the agar dilution method against
and consequently they are resistant to many Gram-positive bacteria (B.cereus F 4810 and
antimicrobial agents [34]. Recently an increase in S.aureus FRI 7 22) and Gram-negative bacteria (E.
the incidence of human diseases caused by aerobic coli MTCC 108 and Y. enterocolitica MTCC 859).
actinomycetes can be attributed to the better SCCO2-1 (120 bar/40C) extract showed effective
clinical microbiological awareness, improved growth inhibition than conventional solvent
selective isolation and identification procedures extracts against all the tested bacteria [39].
and the extensive use of immune suppressive
agents [35]. Antiulcer Properties of Nigella sativa: An
elevated incidence of H. pylori infection found in
The In-vitro effect of aqueous extract of N. sativa Pakistan mainly for dyspeptic patients. Therefore a
seeds on nitric oxide production by murine high prevalence of H. pylori infection has been
macrophages was studied by pre-incubating them noticed providing a warning sign of its
with the extract followed by activation with E. environmental risk related factors. The prevalence

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of H. pylori in children population was assessed. With the increased use of NSAIDS as analgesics in
Only a few of children are infected during management of pain, (PUD) Peptic ulcer disease
childhood, but the prevalence of infection rises in (gastric and duodenal ulcers) is the common
proportion to age during adult life. The target gastrointestinal disorder witnessed. An estimated
population was from various schools of Islamabad, 15,000 deaths occur each year as a consequence of
apparently not showing any gastritis symptoms. Peptic ulcer disease [47]. NSAIDS commercially
The presence of H.pylori confirmed by a non- such as Indomethacin has been widely prescribed
invasive technique of 13C urea breath test (UBT) for the management of pain, inflammation and
was used. A non significant difference has been fever in humans. The effects of orally administered
observed on an overall gender basis e.g, 72.3 per NS seed oil (ORIGO 100 % natural Black Seed
cent of apparently healthy children were carrying Oil, 2.5 ml/kg; orally) on the gastric tissue in
the H. pylori bacterium and the prevalence was experimental rats revealed a significant increase in
70.3 per cent and 74.0 per cent in girls and boys gastric tissue catalase (CAT) activity compared
respectively [40]. The non-invasive 13C urea breath with the colitis group indicates that thymoquinone
test (UBT) was used to investigate the frequency of content of black seed exerts superoxide dismutase
H. pylori infection in asymptomatic individuals and (SOD) like activity. Thus proving the protective
its association with gender and age was studied. An effect of NSO on gastric mucosa. The pro-
increase with age in both genders was found inflammatory cytokines generated in trinitro
significantly higher prevalence in adolescents and benzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis
adults. Moreover, a non-significant difference was affect the gastric tissues samples. The pathogenesis
observed between the prevalence of H. pylori of peptic ulcer disease has largely been investigated
infection in males and females of all age categories recently. The extent of use of numerous newer and
[41]. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in a better Anti-H.pylori drugs are in practice for the
community is related to the factors like acquisition treatment of peptic ulcer disease such as Proton
of infection with H. pylori, loss of infection and pump inhibitors, Histamine receptor blockers,
the prolonged survival of the bacterium in the Prostaglandin analogs, which show poor
stomach [42]. performance and declined rapidly due to highly
resistant bacterium of the H. pylori. While these
H. pylori survive in the acidic environment of the drugs showed development of occurrence of
stomach by releasing the enzyme urease. Urease relapses and side effects made them arguable. This
converts urea to ammonia, which suppresses the has been the rationale for the development of new
acidity of the stomach, protecting the bacteria. The drugs which are effective as analgesic and gastro
reduction in stomach acidity results in protective [48]. Seeds of NS contain a number of
hypochlorhydria which may lead to a variety of gut chemical constituents that interact in a complex
disorders especially digestive disorders. A reduced way to elicit their pharmacological responses.
incidence of infection has been observed in Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterium that
developed countries compared with infects the stomachs of approximately 50% of the
underdeveloped nations where the carriage rates of world population, while transmission of the
infection are as high as 90% however the infection bacterium is primarily through compromised water
remains prevalent throughout the world [43]. A sources but also occurs through person to person
validated method for the primary isolation and transmission [49]. Helicobacter pylori is a gram
detection of H. pylori from dyspeptic patients was negative curved rod bacterium [50]. Australian
developed by Sulami et al. (2008). A positive physicians Warren and Marshall discovered the
urease test usually shows a strong indication of H. unidentified bacteria in the early 1980s in the
pylori infection. This test is widely used as gastric mucosa and duodenum of patients suffering
standard procedure for the detection of this from peptic ulceration. It is now accepted that
bacterium for being simple, reliable and Helicobacter pylori infection is a precursor to
inexpensive test for an onspot testing [45]. chronic gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulceration
[51].Where gastric inflammation persists for
Traditional (Unani medicine) plants from Pakistan decades, atrophic gastritis can evolve into
are extensively utilized for the cure of adenocarcinoma or increase the person's risk of
gastrointestinal disorders to explore the natural developing mucosa associated lymphoid tissue
source for pilot compounds against H. pylori. (MALT) lymphomas [52]. H. pylori survive in the
Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the acidic environment of the stomach by releasing the
active plants was determined at the concentration enzyme urease. Urease converts urea to ammonia,
range from 7.8 to 500 g/ml evaluated the anti- H. a strong base, which neutralizes the acidity of the
pylori activity of 50 commonly. Anti- H. pylori stomach, protecting the bacteria. The reduction in
activity of medicinal plants has a significant stomach acidity results in hypochlorhydria which
potential source of new bactericidal agents [46]. may lead to a variety of gut disorders especially

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digestive disorders. Ammonia generated by H. investigated in rats to evaluate the anti-ulcer
pylori causes damage to the gastric mucosa activity by using two models, i.e. pyloric ligation
inducing gastritis and potentially leading to and aspirin induced gastric ulcer. The parameters
ulceration [53]. The bacterium takes hold through taken to assess anti-ulcer activity were volume of
adhesion host cell interactions between gastric gastric secretion, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer
epithelial cells and erythrocytes [54]. Upon index. The results specify that the alcoholic extract
infection, rapid reproduction of the bacterium significantly (P < 0.001) decreases the volume of
occurs in the stomach causing gastritis and a gastric acid secretion, free acidity, total acidity and
reduction in gastric acid production. In the majority ulcer index with respect to control [38].
of people this gastric inflammation associated with
Helicobacter pylori infection will settle causing CONCLUSION
asymptomatic gastritis and normal acid
production. According to a first clinical research Black Seed (Nigella sativa) has significantly
trial in human being suffered from H. pylori fascinated scientists interest during the current era,
bacterium showed best results using Black Seed. additionally more research is needed on medicinal
The amount of 2 g/d of Black Seed resulted in aspects of Nigella sativa. However evaluation of
producing a strong impact of (67%) of N. sativa on the health benefits of bioactive components of
H. pylori mortality. While previously in-vitro study Black Seed is required necessarily. Likewise, a
represent a 100% hindered the growth of H. pylori dynamic area of research evolved based on
colonies in media culture [55]. Numerous emerging facts recommend that naturally occurring
botanicals were tested in vitro in various studies for resources proved to be valuable for identifying new
eradicating H.pylori in order to overcome the bioactive efficient compounds found in Black Seed.
incidence of rising resistance against antibiotics, As the evidence presented in this section will
while a lot of them express anti-H. pylori show, it is quite probable that as medical science
activity [56]. increasingly learns more about black seed, one or
The alkaloids are natural nitrogen-containing more of its more active ingredients may become
secondary metabolites mostly derived from amino combined into a medicinal preblockedion for
acids and found in about 20% of plants. There has specific conditions. In the event that this does
been considerable pharmacological research into occur, it is also likely that this particular extract of
the antiulcer activity of these compounds. In this black seed will be chemically compounded and
regard, the seeds of Nigella sativa L (NS), which is thus become a more potent medicine. While it may
a small annual herb distributed and cultivated all be argued that chemical additives may increase
over India, have been reported to have analgesic black seed's effectiveness in treating specific
and gastroprotective effect [57]. Numerous conditions, the healing principles of black seed in
diseases are attributed to Helicobacter pylori its pure, natural form should also be taken into
(H.pylori), including persistent active gastritis, account. Black seed, in its complete, natural form,
peptic ulcer disease and gastric acts on the principle of assisting the body's own
cancer. Antimicrobial agents proved to be effective natural healing process in overcoming illness or
for the cure of H. pylori malady, thus identification maintaining health. It works on the part or system
of new efficient agents are necessary to research of the body affected without disturbing its natural
out. Nigella sativa seed (NS), is an herb balance elsewhere. The bodys immune system
generally possesses in vitro anti-helicobacter effected positively and become stable after
activity. The efficacy studies for suppression of H. ingestion of Black seeds. In addition, mostly
pylori bacterium in non-ulcer dyspeptic diseases are resulted due to malfunctioning of
patients were carried out using NS as a therapeutic immune system. In view of the fact about that the
agent [58]. Black seed along with its bioactive immune system controls directly or indirectly all
components such as thymoquinone (TQ) have a the functions of body, therefore in the conditions of
shielding effect on the epithelial linings of stomach infection by certain disease or pathogen, the ability
against the damaging effect induced by pure of the bodys immunity influences the effectiveness
alcohol and promote curing of ulcer evident from of body regarding curing of disease occurred. The
the ulcer index values by inhibiting peroxidative use of ethno botanical drugs among Asians as
activity, preventing oxidation of free radical and complementary medicine is prevalent and is also
restrict the production of histamine [59]. Nigella gaining increasing popularity in the West. N. sativa
sativa extract was also proven to have a protective seeds exert their medicinal effects. With the
action against ethanol- induced ulcer in rats [60, increased understanding of its mechanism of
61]. Different solvent extracts have different bioactivity, the incorporation of this medicinal herb
medicinal values such as fixed oil or volatile oil as complementary medicine into mainstream
components have antiulcer properties [62]. medical science can be achieved in the future.
The effect of alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa was

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