Traditional & Alternative Medicine

Biography

Biography: Mohammad Akram Randhawa

Abstract

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed, commonly known as ‘Black Seed’ has been an important natural remedy for many ailments for centuries in Traditional Systems of Medicine. N. sativa contains many active components, including: thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, nigellimine, nigellicine, nigellidine and alphahederin. In addition, N. sativa seed is reported to possess numerous pharmacological effects: immune stimulation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, antiasthmatic, antimicrobial and antiparasitic, etc. Some authors have reviewed pharmacotherapeutic activities of N. sativa in general, but their dermatological applications are not sufficiently described in these reviews. Skin is immediately exposed to numerous noxious stimuli: microbial infections, trauma, chronic irritation and extremes of temperature and performs many physiological functions, to mention is its involvement in immune mechanisms. Literature search revealed a lot of published articles regarding effects and applications of N. sativa related to skin, e.g. ether extract of N. sativa was reported to possess inhibitory effect on gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aerogenosa), including their multidrug resistant strains. Ether extract of N. sativa and its active principles (thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and thymol) were demonstrated to have antifungal activity against clinical isolates of important genera of dermatophytes: Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum. Similarly, N. sativa extract/thymoquinone was found to be beneficial in acne, eczema, psoriasis and squamous cell carcinoma. The present work is intended to review the scientific knowledge about this important natural herb pertaining to skin problems. It is hoped that our effort would be of interest to skin specialists, general physicians, scientists and the public.