Unlocking the Wonders of Black Seed: Nature's Miraculous Secret Revealed
Faculty Mentor
Ahmed Abu Fayyad
Major/Area of Research
Science (PharmD)
Description
INTRODUCTION: Nigella sativa, a member of the Ranunculaceae family, contains bioactive compounds such as thymoquinone (TQ), nigellicines, nigelledine, and alpha-hederin, which have demonstrated therapeutic potential in various diseases. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace be upon him) said, “There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death” (Sahih Al-Bukhari 5688). Today, black cumin/seed is commonly regarded as a superfood, shedding light on a link between recommended food by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and disease management.
METHOD: This literature-based research investigates the immunomodulatory effects of TQ, focusing on its implications for rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and the three most prevalent cancers: breast, lung, and prostate.
RESULTS: The review highlights thymoquinone’s ability to modulate immune responses by suppressing inflammatory markers like IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, NF-kB, and TNF-α in COVID-19, and reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including serum hs-CRP levels, DAS-28 scores, swollen joint count, while enhancing CD4+CD25+ T cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Additionally, Nigella sativa promotes apoptosis in cancer cells, mitigates genetic mutations, and reduces metastasis.
CONCLUSION: Although it is not a cure for cancer, Nigella sativa exhibits substantial therapeutic potential for these chronic conditions.
Unlocking the Wonders of Black Seed: Nature's Miraculous Secret Revealed
INTRODUCTION: Nigella sativa, a member of the Ranunculaceae family, contains bioactive compounds such as thymoquinone (TQ), nigellicines, nigelledine, and alpha-hederin, which have demonstrated therapeutic potential in various diseases. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace be upon him) said, “There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death” (Sahih Al-Bukhari 5688). Today, black cumin/seed is commonly regarded as a superfood, shedding light on a link between recommended food by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and disease management.
METHOD: This literature-based research investigates the immunomodulatory effects of TQ, focusing on its implications for rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and the three most prevalent cancers: breast, lung, and prostate.
RESULTS: The review highlights thymoquinone’s ability to modulate immune responses by suppressing inflammatory markers like IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, NF-kB, and TNF-α in COVID-19, and reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including serum hs-CRP levels, DAS-28 scores, swollen joint count, while enhancing CD4+CD25+ T cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Additionally, Nigella sativa promotes apoptosis in cancer cells, mitigates genetic mutations, and reduces metastasis.
CONCLUSION: Although it is not a cure for cancer, Nigella sativa exhibits substantial therapeutic potential for these chronic conditions.