800 VALIANTThe Health Benefits of Nigella Sativa
Nigella Sativa is an ancient seed that has been revered for centuries by cultures around the world for its potential health benefits. Originating in the Mediterranean and Western Asia, the seeds were known as "black seed" due to their dark color and were used by ancient cultures like China and Arabia for medicinal purposes.
The first recorded use of Nigella Sativa dates back to over 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, where it was reportedly used for its ability to alleviate common ailments. The seeds were believed to have healing powers and were used to treat everything from digestive issues to respiratory problems. Despite its long history of use, it's only in recent years that scientific research has begun to uncover the full extent of its potential health benefits.
The History of Nigella Sativa
For over 3,000 years, Nigella Sativa has been a staple of ancient Egyptian culture, revered for its culinary and medicinal properties. The seeds were even used in burial rituals for their supposed protective powers. Ancient Greece's Hippocrates, the father of medicine, also recognized Nigella Sativa's potential and prescribed it for digestive disorders calling it "Melanthion".
Nigella Sativa was known by various names and had different uses in different cultures. It is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, the Book of Isaiah, the Chinese called it Hei Zhong Cao and used it to alleviate headaches, toothaches, and indigestion, while in Arabia it was referred to as Habbat Al-Barakah or "the blessed seed," having been mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Hadith as a seed that can heal every disease except death.
In fact, Nigella Sativa, also known as Black Cumin Seeds, is a plant that was prevalent across north Africa, the Levantine region, the Indian subcontinent and Southwest Asia. Nigella Sativa has been found in the tomb in the ancient Egyptian Pharoah Tutankhamun, with experts believing that it was probably a component of ancient Egyptians' mummification process due to the preservative and anti-bacterial properties inherent to it.
What Does Modern Science Say About Nigella Sativa?
Modern science has identified some of the bioactive compounds that give Nigella Sativa it's qualities. One of these compounds is a substance known as Thymoquinone, which is also one of the most studied components.
According to research, thymoquinone has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. In a study conducted on rats with liver damage, thymoquinone was found to have a protective effect on the liver, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Another study found that thymoquinone inhibited the growth of cancer cells in the prostate.
Thymoquinone has also been found to have potential benefits for those with asthma. In a study conducted on patients with asthma, thymoquinone was found to reduce airway inflammation and improve lung function. Additionally, research has shown that thymoquinone may have a beneficial effect on those with diabetes. In a study conducted on diabetic rats, thymoquinone was found to improve blood sugar levels and reduce oxidative stress.
Furthermore, thymoquinone has also been studied for its potential benefits for heart health. A study conducted on rats found that thymoquinone had a protective effect on the heart, reducing inflammation and improving heart function. Additionally, thymoquinone has been found to have a beneficial effect on those with high blood pressure. In a study conducted on patients with hypertension, thymoquinone was found to reduce blood pressure levels.
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Further Reading & Research
Study on the Effect of Nigella Sativa
A meta analysis conducted in 2021 looked at the results of five studies with a total of 293 participants. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using Jadad's quality scales, which indicated a low risk of bias and high quality of reported information.
The meta-analysis showed that treatment with Nigella sativa significantly increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an important antioxidant enzyme, compared to the placebo group. However, there was no significant effect on the malondialdehyde (MDA) level, a marker of oxidative stress, or the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level.
This suggests that Nigella sativa supplementation in humans may benefit as an antioxidant by increasing SOD levels. However, further research is needed to determine the effects of Nigella sativa on other oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters. In addition, the optimal dosage and duration of supplementation should be investigated to establish the clinical relevance of these findings.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Another study conducted in 2019 aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil extracted from N. sativa seeds produced in the Marche region of Italy and to determine if its biological activity would decay during storage. The researchers used an in vitro model of low-grade inflammation in human pre-adipocytes to test the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of N. sativa oil.
The study found that fresh extracted oil (FEO) contained 33% more thymoquinone than stored extracted oil (SEO), indicating that storage can affect the oil's overall quality. In addition, the thymoquinone content in the N. sativa oil from the Marche region cultivar was higher compared to other N. sativa oils produced in the Middle East and other Mediterranean regions. The study also showed that the oil's capacity to counteract pro-inflammatory cytokine production does not solely depend on thymoquinone content, but also on other antioxidant components of the oil.
Previous studies have shown that N. sativa oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer activities. Recently, investigations have also suggested that N. sativa oil may improve glucose homeostasis and lipid profile. Pharmacological studies have highlighted that N. sativa oil can have gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antitussive, cardioprotective, and anti-hypertensive properties. Additionally, N. sativa oil has been found to inhibit histamine release from mast cells, indicating its potential use in asthma.
Environmental factors such as soil composition and climatic conditions, as well as extraction procedures, can significantly affect the composition of the oil. Therefore, the thymoquinone content and biological activity of N. sativa oil can vary depending on the production region and the extraction method used. It is essential to consider these factors when evaluating the oil's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, this study provides insight into the potential health benefits of N. sativa oil and the importance of its proper storage and handling to preserve its quality and biological activity.