A sampling of many published studies. For Brevity and readability the abstracts have been edited to take overly technical information out. 

Pharmacological and toxicological properties of Nigella sativa

B. H. Ali 1, Gerald Blunden 2 * 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, King Saud University, Buraydah, Al Gaseem 81999, Saudi Arabia 2School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK

Abstract
The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae), commonly known as black seed or black cumin, are used in folk (herbal) medicine all over the world for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases and conditions that include asthma, diarrhoea and dyslipidaemia.  The seeds contain both fixed and essential oils, proteins, alkaloids and saponin. Much of the biological activity of the seeds has been shown to be due to thymoquinone, the major component of the essential oil, but which is also present in the fixed oil. The pharmacological actions of the crude extracts of the seeds (and some of its active constituents, e.g. volatile oil and thymoquinone) that have been reported include protection against nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity induced by either disease or chemicals. The seeds/oil have antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial and antineoplastic activity. The oil decreases blood pressure and increases respiration. ...The seeds are characterized by a very low degree of toxicity. ...Two cases of contact dermatitis in two individuals have been reported following topical use. Administration of either the seed extract or its oil has been shown not to induce significant adverse effects on liver or kidney functions. It would appear that the beneficial effects of the use of the seeds and thymoquinone might be related to their cytoprotective and antioxidant actions, and to their effect on some mediators of inflammation.Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa essential oil

M. Burits, F. Bucar * Institute of Pharmacognosy, Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Graz, Austria*Correspondence to F. Bucar, Institute of Pharmacognosy, Karl Franzens University of Graz, Universitätsplaz 4/I, A-8010 Graz, Austria

The essential oil of black cumin seeds, Nigella sativa L., was tested for a possible antioxidant activity. A rapid evaluation for antioxidants, using two TLC screening methods, showed that thymoquinone and the components carvacrol, t-anethole and 4-terpineol demonstrated respectable radical scavenging property. These four constituents and the essential oil possessed variable antioxidant activity when tested ... Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

N. sativa and its derived products as a treatment for rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases

Fixed oil of Nigella sativa and derived thymoquinone inhibit eicosanoid generation in leukocytes and membrane lipid peroxidation.        * Houghton PJ,        * Zarka R,       * de las Heras B,        * Hoult JR.     Department of Pharmacy, King's College London, U.K.

Samples of the expressed fixed oil from different sources of Nigella sativa seeds were examined by thin-layer and gas chromatography for content of fixed oils and thymoquinone, and these substances were tested as possible inhibitors of eicosanoid generation and membrane lipid peroxidation. The crude fixed oil and pure thymoquinone both inhibited the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonate metabolism ... These pharmacological properties of the oil support the traditional use of N. sativa and its derived products as a treatment for rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases.    PMID: 7700988 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Antitumour principles from Nigella sativa seeds.

Salomi NJ, * Nair SC, * Jayawardhanan KK,       * Varghese CD,        * Panikkar KR.   Amala Cancer Research Centre, Kerala, India.

The active principle of Nigella sativa seeds containing certain fatty acids was studied for antitumour activities against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC), Dalton's lymphonia ascites (DLA) and Sarcoma-180 (S-180) cells. In vitro cytotoxic studies showed 50% cytotoxicity to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, Dalton's lymphoma ascites and Sarcoma-180 cells at a concentration of 1.5 micrograms, 3 micrograms and 1.5 micrograms respectively with little activity against lymphocytes.... In vivo EAC tumour development was completely inhibited by the active principle at the dose of 2 mg/mouse per day x 10.    PMID: 1555206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Thymoquinone extracted from black seed triggers apoptotic cell death in human colorectal cancer cells ...   

Gali-Muhtasib H,    * Diab-Assaf M,    * Boltze C,  * Al-Hmaira J,  * Hartig R,  * Roessner A, * Schneider-Stock R.     Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. 

For centuries, the black seed (Nigella sativa) herb and oil have been used in Asia, Middle East and Africa to promote health and fight disease. Thymoquinone (TQ), the most abundant constituent present in black seed, is a promising dietary chemopreventive agent. We investigated the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) against HCT-116 human colon cancer cells and attempted to identify its potential molecular mechanisms of action. We report that TQ inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells which was correlated with G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle. Furthermore, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry analysis indicate that TQ triggers apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ...  Our data support the potential for using the agent TQ for the treatment of colon cancer.    PMID: 15375533 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Studies on the antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa seed (black cumin).

Hanafy MS,* Hatem ME.   Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

Filter paper discs impregnated with the diethyl ether extract of Nigella sativa seeds (25-400 micrograms extract/disc) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria represented by Staphylococcus aureus. ...The extract successfully eradicated a non-fatal subcutaneous staphylococcal infection in mice when injected at the site of infection.    PMID: 1795532 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

Effect of Nigella sativa (kalonji) on serum cholesterol...

Amir Hamzo Dahri, Atta Muhammad Chandio1*, Ali Akbar Rahoo**, afique Ahmed Memon*** Department of Pathology, *Community Medicine, **Biochemistry and ***Medicine, Peoples Medical College, Nawabshah

In this study the serum total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were increased and serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol level was decreased. These results suggest that nigella sativa has a protective role in atherosclerosis and that is due to its hypolipidemic activity. 

Thymoquinone, a component of the herb Nigella sativa, suppresses proliferation and viability of prostate cancer cells by down-regulating androgen receptor and E2F-1.  

Abstract No:  20038 Citation:    Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I. Vol 24, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 20038Author(s):  A. O. Kaseb, S. Tejwani, K. Chinnakannu, E. Barrack, P. Reddy Abstract:  
Background: Prostate cancer (CaP) that relapses following androgen-ablation therapy is hormone refractory, yet its growth continues to depend on androgen receptor (AR). Therefore, a curative strategy must include structural elimination of AR. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a component of Nigella sativa, an herb that has been used for thousands of years for a variety of diseases including cancer. We examined TQ effect on AR and cell cycle regulatory proteins required for proliferation and viability of CaP cells....  Conclusion: These observations demonstrate that TQ inhibits proliferation and viability of prostate cancer cells by decreasing AR and E2F-1 levels and inducing the proteins that cause cell cycle arrest and promote apoptotic events. Thus TQ may prove to be an effective treatment of hormone refractory CaP and a promising chemo- and/or radiation- sensitizing agent in adjuvant therapy as well. This could represent a novel approach for treatment of prostate cancer by an herbal agent that was shown to spare normal cells in previous studies.

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