Health Promoting Activities of Nigella sativa Seed Extracts

Many medical plant have recently attracted attention due to their important role as dietary supplements with health-promotive effects amd minimal side impacts. Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, belongs to Ranunculaceae family is cultivated in various areas of the world mostly in Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, Asian and East Mediterranean countries. Valuable seeds, extracts and oils of Nigella sativa, which contain vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and many other useful components, have been used since ancient times. Today, Nigella sativa seeds and seed extracts have been used for healing several disorders due to their antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that Nigella sativa is very effective in terms of health promotion and disease prevention. Nigella sativa seeds have useful effects such as neuroprotective, antihypertensive, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiparasitic activities. Nigella sativa seed extracts might be a potential new health promotive agent due to the proven beneficial activities. Nigella sativa seed extracts might be used as essential nutrients sources or as a nutritional supplement. This chapter provide detailed information about the botanical properties of Nigella sativa, functionalities of phytochemicals, therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa extracts, protective effects against certain diseases to reveal the potential of the use of Nigella sativa seed extracts and to shed light on the future Nigella sativa-related studies.