Pharmacological Characterization of Nigella sativa Extract and the Compound Beta-caryophyllene

Abstract

Traditional medicines made from medicinal plants are the most abundant biosources of medications. Pharmaceutical medications, synthetic pharmaceuticals, Siddha, Ayurveda, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements all come from plant sources. In spite of several studies using herbal plants that have shown a strong link between phytochemical, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory content, Nigella sativa—a spice plant of the Ranunculaceae family—showed more significant qualities than its competitors. Numerous pharmacological properties were discovered in both the Nigella sativa essential oil and the seeds. Nigella sativa is considered to be the most powerful antioxidant and medicinal plant with known medicinal properties and therapeutic applications, and it is used as traditional medicine for respiratory, gastrointestinal, rheumatic, and inflammatory disorders. The study was conducted using Nigella sativa and compound Beta caryophyllene to determine the anti-oxidant, invitro-anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic activity of the ethanolic seed extract of Nigella sativa and compound Beta caryophyllene on Alzheimer's disease because there were no toxic effects or serious side effects observed using animal models or in clinical trials. The antioxidant activity of the compound and the extract was examined to study the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extract and the compound beta-caryophyllene. Phytochemical screening exhibited secondary metabolites of the extract, such as phenols, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. Nigella sativa extract and its constituents such as beta-caryophyllene, possess a protective effect against toxicity, which is caused by drugs used for treating cancer as well as neurodegenerative disorders. Further, the extract prevents a decrease in hemoglobin levels as well as leukocyte counts. The purpose of the research is to demonstrate that Nigella sativa and the chemical beta-caryophyllene may be employed as medicinal agents and that beta-caryophyllene may have potential cholinesterase inhibitory effects.