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Review
. 2025 Aug 19;13(8):e70725.
doi: 10.1002/fsn3.70725. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Functional, Nutraceutical, and Pharmacological Properties of Black Seed

Muhammad Tayyab Arshad  1 , Sammra Maqsood  2 , Ali Ikram  3 , Muhammed Adem Abdullahi  4
Affiliations
Review

Functional, Nutraceutical, and Pharmacological Properties of Black Seed

Muhammad Tayyab Arshad et al. Food Sci Nutr. .

Abstract

Since ancient times, black seed, or Nigella sativa, has gained popularity in modern industry and health due to its numerous nutritional and therapeutic applications. Detailed coverage of the botanical description, taxonomy, and phytochemical composition can be seen in this review about the most crucial bioactive compounds, such as thymoquinone, alkaloids, saponins, and fixed oils. This therapeutic plant has undergone numerous studies about its solicitations in treating cancer, its protective effects on the heart, and its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties. Side by side with its function in conventional medical practices of Ayurveda and Unani, its amalgamation is also specified in the review. This also takes into account the health benefits of black seed, its metabolism, macro- and micronutrient composition, and other nutritional considerations. The usages discover the product development potentials within the pharmaceutical and food industries, such as functional foods, health supplements, and cosmetics. Customer attention in natural products has made novel prospects, but side by side with them, there are different concerns about stability, bioavailability, and regulatory problems. To augment the medicinal and economic value of N. sativa, there is potential for its genetic development, for more progressive cultivation methods, and for biotechnological policies. Thus, the incorporation of N. sativa into current healthcare and industry comprises creative, multidisciplinary investigation.

Keywords: antioxidant; antiviral; food applications; toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Institutional review board statement: This study did not involve humans or animals.The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Composition of black seed.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Health potential benefits of black seed.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Anticancer mechanism of action of black seed.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Antidiabetic mechanism of action of black seed.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Byproducts of black seed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Abdallah, E. M. 2017. “Black Seed (Nigella sativa) as Antimicrobial Drug: A Mini‐Review.” Novel Approches in Drug Designing and Develop 3, no. 2: 1–5.
    1. Adebayo‐Tayo, B. C. , Briggs‐Kamara A. I., and Salaam A. M.. 2021. “Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Potential and Gc‐Ms Analysis of Crude and Partitioned Fractions of Nigella sativa Seed Extract.” Acta Microbiologica Bulgarica 37: 34–45.
    1. Agbaria, R. , Gabarin A., Dahan A., and Ben‐Shabat S.. 2015. “Anticancer Activity of Nigella sativa (Black Seed) and Its Relationship With the Thermal Processing and Quinone Composition of the Seed.” Drug Design, Development and Therapy 9: 3119–3124. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ahmad, A. , Imran M., Kumar A., et al. 2022. “Black Seeds of Nigella sativa: A Remedy for Advanced Cancer Therapeutics With Special Reference to Nanotechnology.” In Black Seeds (Nigella sativa), 253–294. Elsevier.

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