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FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SEMESTER I, ACADEMIC SESSION 2014/2015

HONOURS SEMINAR

SCS4901

TITLE: THE MIRACLE OF HABBATUS SAUDA ACCORDING

TO ISLAMIC AND CHEMISTRY PERSPECTIVE

NAMES : UMMI NAJWA BINTI AHMAD 1120643

MUHAMMAD YUSUF BIN YAAKUB 1120650

NATASHA NABILA BINTI MAZLAN 1120659

SITI HAJAR BINTI HADAS@HADIS 1120673

SUPERVISOR : A.P. Dr. SALINA BINTI MAT RADZI

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ABSTRACT

Habbatus sauda or in scientific name Nigella sativa is a widely used plant especially in medicinal sector throughout the world. The seeds of Nigella sativa have been used in terms of traditional medicine by many Asians, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern Countries and it is commonly called Black seed or Black cumin. The miraculous power of this seed has been stated in Islamic literature as Prophetic Medicine since it is considered as one of the greatest form of healing medicine. The diverse constituents that content in Nigella sativa enhance its capability as healing medicine. Various studies on Nigella sativa have been carried out by many researchers in both phytochemically and pharmacologically focusing on the miraculous power of the seeds. Today, the advancement of Nigella sativa have been developed in commercialization either industry, cosmetic or pharmaceuticals uses. The present review is an effort to provide a detailed explanation on miraculous seeds of Nigella sativa in both Islamic and chemistry perspective also the discussion about the Nigella sativa itself.

Keyword: Nigella sativa, Black seed, Chemistry, Islamic, Healing power

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TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENTS PAGE

ABSTRACT i

TABLE OF CONTENT ii

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 The Miracle of Habbatus Sauda 3

2.1 Background of Habbatus sauda 3

2.1.1 Discovery of Habbatus sauda 3

2.1.2 Traditional Uses of Habbatus Sauda 4

2.2 Plantation and Physical Characteristics of Habbatus sauda 5

2.2.1 Plantation of Habbatus sauda 5

2.2.2 Physical Charcteristics of Habbatus sauda 6

2.3 Applications of Habbatus Sauda as Medicine 7

3.0 Habbatus Sauda According to Islamic Perspectives 8

3.1 Habbatus sauda as Herbs in Holy Quran 8

3.2 The Miracle of Habbatus sauda in Hadiths 9

3.3 Habbatus sauda according to Islamic Philosophers 10

3.4 Islamic Reference Books Related to Habbatus sauda 11

4.0 Habbatus Sauda According to Chemistry Perspectives 12

4.1 Chemical Compositions of Habbatus sauda 12

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4.1.1 The major components of saturated and

unsaturated fatty acid in Habbatus sauda 13

4.1.2 Minerals and sterols composition in Habbatus sauda 16

4.2 Active component in volatile oils of Habbatus sauda 17

4.3 Recent Advancements in Habbatus sauda Research 19

4.3.1 Medicinal Potentials of Habbatus sauda 19

4.3.2 Products Formulation of Habbatus sauda 20

5.0 Conclusion 21

6.0 References 22

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1.0 Introduction

Plant are the only natural sources for the production of chemical compounds, which are

many of it are used to promote health and cure disease while some of them are

marketed as food supplement or other products (Dubick, 1986). Plants have always

been the ultimate choice for source of nutrition and health care for both human and

animal and specifically herbs and spices. Generally, herbs are plant that some part of it

contain essential ingredient that useful in many sectors such that medicine, cosmetics

and food. Spices are naturally derived from woody plants and grow in tropical areas.

Nowadays, the development of the technology has helped the improvement in those

herbs and spices sector and many of the researchers has developed in extracting the

active component from those plants for the direct and specific uses.

One of the miracle herbs plant that has been considered as prophetic medicine is

Habbatus sauda (Nigella Sativa). Nigella sativa also known as Black seed is an annual

herbaceous plant and it is indigenous to the Mediterranean region but nowadays it has

been cultivated into the other place in the world including Africa (Zargari, 1990).

Originally, Habbatus sauda grows in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea,

Pakistan and India. Then, the seed were widely distributed to Arab countries and other

parts of the Mediterranean region (Jansen, 1981). The seeds are commonly used in

Middle East cooking and easier to find included in local recipes. But the beneficial uses

are more than that.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once stated that Habbatus sauda (Nigella sativa) can heal

every disease except death. This statement has declared that Habbatus sauda is one of

the prophetic medicines that have its own miraculous power in healing disease. Over

the years, many researches have been done discovering the potential of Habbatus

sauda that classified as herbs has great ability in fight disease. Allah (SWT) already

said in Quran:

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نا فيها حبا ﴾ ﴿ فأنبت

“And We cause therein Habb to grow” (Al-Quran. Abasa 80:27)

The potential of Habbatus sauda in healing disease is also have been certified in one of

the greatest medical book The Canon of Medicine, Ibnu Sina (980-1037). In this book,

Habbatus sauda is refers as the seed that have power in stimulates body‟s energy and

therapeutics effects on digestive disorders and many more (Yusuf, 2010).

The seeds and oil of Habbatus sauda contain an appreciable amount that gives benefit

to healthy lifestyle. One of the most active constituents in Habbatus sauda that impress

the researcher is Thymoquinone which beneficial element in volatile oil of Habbatus

sauda itself. The general chemical composition of Habbatus sauda is consists of several

constituents which are oil, protein, carbohydrates, fibre, ash, saponins and moisture

(Babayan et al., 1978). Meanwhile, the extraction of seeds oil contains Linoleic acid and

Oleic acid as major component from plantation in Morocco. Hence, the percentage

content of Linoleic acid depends on its origin.

Habbatus sauda usage have been implemented in many ways nowadays and it is not

just restricted for making medicine but it has been commercialized in making new

product such that food supplement and cosmetics industry. There is great commercial

interest in reinvestigating and developing new pharmaceuticals from natural sources

which including herbs and spices in current situation (Peter, 2012). Habbatus sauda is

already having its own commercial value and due to the tremendous demand towards

organic products, many product were developed based on Habbatus sauda.

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2.0 The Miracle of Habbatus sauda

The benefits of the well-known herb, Habbatus sauda cannot be deny since it has been

proved through a few past study and it also already stated in the hadith from our

prophet Muhammad (SAW). From that we can see, the sign of the miracle of Habbatus

sauda already exist.

2.1 Background of Habbatus Sauda

Habbatus sauda is once-a-year herb from Ranunculaceae heritage, which grows in

countries bordering the Mediterranean region (Jansen, 1981). For thousands of years,

this plant has been use in Middle Eastern, many Asian and Far Eastern Countries as

food preservatives and spices as well as a health remedy and protective in traditional

medication for the treatment a lot of disorder (Chopra et al., 1956).

2.1.1 Discovery of Habbatus sauda

Originally Habbatus sauda was the common name for Bunium persicum and then

named as Carum bulbocastanum, which is nearly extinction and slowly Carum carvi

graduated to the name and due to inability of the species to all over India, later Nigella

sativa was adopted from Portuguese or Turkish merchants.

Besides Habbatus sauda or black cumin, it also has names known as black caraway

seed, Black seed and Habatul Baraka “the Blessed Seed”. In the Holy Bible, Habbatus

sauda is also known as the curative black cumin and is described as the Melanthion of

Hippocrates and Discroides and as the Gith of Pliny (Chopra et al., 1956).

2.1.2 Traditional application of Habbatus Sauda

Habbatus sauda seeds are normally eaten alone or combined with honey and in many

food preparations. The oil obtained by extracting the seeds of Nigella sativa is used for

cooking. Today, Habbatus sauda seeds are used as a seasoning spice in different

cuisines across the world due to their nutty flavor.

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Besides their culinary uses, Habbatus sauda seeds also wealth with important health

benefits and are one of the most cherished medicinal herbs in history. In addition to

what is believed to be the primary active ingredient, crystalline nigellone, Habbatus

sauda seeds contain: thymoquinone, beta sitosterol. myristic acid, palmitoleic acid,

palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, protein, vitamin B1,

vitamin B2, vitamin B3, calcium, iron, folic acid, zinc, copper and phosphorous (Tony

Isaacs, 2010).

There are some of the histories about the seed of Habbatus sauda that already use in

Egypt. Some of the archaeologists found the tomb of Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamen

(King Tut) and examined it. Surprisingly they found Habbatus sauda oil in a bottle,

which suggested that it was believed to be needed in the afterlife. Physicians to the

Egyptian pharaohs regularly used the seeds after improvident feasts to calm upset

stomachs. They also used it to cure the headaches, toothaches, colds, and infections.

Queen Nefertiti, well-known with her fabulous beauty, used Habbatus sauda oil, due to

its abilities to strengthen and bring dazzle to nails and hair. A lot of studies have been

conducted on habbatus sauda which has shown that the seeds contain the compounds

that help against diseases by boosting the production of natural interferon, bone

marrow, and immune cells. (Tony Isaacs, 2010)

2.2 Plantation and Physical Characteristics of Habatus sauda

People that live in the area of Mediterranean-western Asian preserve the Habbatus

sauda with some of the requirement like the plant must expose to the full sunlight, good

drainage, soil pH must around 6 to 7 and the soil used is average soil (Boulus, 1983).

They used it as traditional medicine.

2.2.1 Plantation of Habbatus sauda

Nigella has around 20 species of Mediterranean-western Asian origin (Dantuono et al.,

2002). For the first time, Nigella Sativa was planted at India. The species is cultivated

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and distributed all over India especially in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gangetic plains,

Bihar, Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra. Apart from India, the species is also grown in

Syria, Lebanon, Israel and South Europe as well as in Bangladesh, Turkey, Middle-East

and the Mediterranean basin (Datta, 2012).

Before that, actually the Arabic people who come there brought back the seed of nigella

sativa to their country and plant the seed there. After that, the seed widely spread

throughout the Africa especially in Nigeria and spread more widely at Ethiopia.

Habbatus Sauda also planted at Syria, Palestine and South Europe as spices (Yusuf,

2010).

Figure 1: Region of the most Habbatus sauda can be found

2.2.2 Physical characteristics of Habbatus sauda

Habbatus sauda is a hermaphroditic species with determinate flowering patterns,

starting with the flower terminating the main shoot and ending with the flowers on the

lower- most branches. In its natural form, the flowers are delicate and normally white

and pale blue color, which are characterized by the existing of nectaries with five to ten

petals. The androecium comprises a large number of stamens, which shed their pollen

as the filament curves outward during the male phase (Abu-Hammour, Khaled, 2008).

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The gynoecium consists of up to five completely united follicles, each with a long,

indehiscent style and composed of a variable number of multi ovule carpels, developing

into a follicle after pollination, with a single fruit partially connected to form a capsule like

structure. Seeds are generally small size (1- 5mg) dark grey or black (Filippo et al.,

2002). The plant of Habbatus sauda is shown below on Figure 2.

Figure 2: Plant of Nigella Sativa

2.3 Application of Habbatus sauda as medicine

The application of Habbatus sauda as medicine has been used for many years since it

discovered. Table 1 shows the advantages of Habbatus sauda and it sources.

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Table 1: The applications of Habbatus sauda

Advantages Sources

Healing various respiratory disorders. Filippo et al. (2002)

Respiratory, rheumatic, gastrointestinal

and inflammatory disorder. Cancer

prevention and cure

Amin, (1991); Nafisy, 1989; and

Zargari, (1990)

Asthma, nausea, heart diseases,

diabetes, hypertension, meningitis,

cancer and Immunity enhancer to AIDS

Sitaranikhil, (2014)

Asthma symptoms Boskabady et al. (2007)

Hinder to pancreatic cancer. Chehl et al. (2009)

Hypertension Dehkordi and Kamkhah, (2008)

Coughs Mahfouz et al. (1960)

Disintegrate renal calculi Hashem and El-Kiey, (1982)

Retard the carcinogenic process Hassan and El-Dakhakhny, (1992);

Pain, diarrhea, flatulence and polio Enomoto et al. (2001)

Choloretic and uricosuric activities El-Dakhakhny, (1965)

Treatment asthma and eczema Boulos, (1983)

3.0 Habbatus Sauda according to Islamic Perspective

As stated before, Habbatus sauda also can be defined as medicinal herbs and known

as traditional healing system in the Arab and Muslim world. According to Alrawi &

Fetters, (2012), Habbatus sauda is defined as traditional healing and had been used as

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guidance of practicable therapeutic since ancient time as it was connected due to

regional influences of Islam.

Muslim philosophers connected the Islamic medicine and “prophetic” medicine by

referring it to the collection of “hadith” (Nagamia, 2003). Many of Islamic scholars also

giving their point of view in their own book according to the recommended food of

Sunnah diet by the Prophet (SAW).

3.1 Habbatus Sauda as Herbs in Holy Quran

The Quranic verses related to herbs mentioned in surah `Abasa. The commentators

and traditionists are unanimous about the occasion of the revelation of this Surah.

Based on their views, once some head leaders of Makkah were sitting in the Prophet's

assembly and he was earnestly engaged in trying to persuade them to accept Islam.

There came up, a blind man, named Ibn Umm Maktum, approached him to ask

enlistment of some religious question. The Prophet (SAW) disliked the intrusion and

ignored him. Thereupon Allah sent down this Surah which admonished the Prophet for

his action. From this well-known historical incident the period of the revelation of this

Surah can be precisely determined.

The verse of herbs in Quran, Allah said:

٦﴿ثم شققنا االرض شقا ﴾ حبا﴾ ﴿فأنبتنا فيها ٢﴿وعنبا وقضبا﴾ ٧ ﴿وحدآئق غلبا﴾ ٢﴿وزيتونا ونخال﴾

﴿وفـكهة وأبا ﴾ ﴿متـعا لكم والنعـمكم ﴾

(Al-Quran. Abasa 80:26-32).

Translation: “Then cleft the earth asunder then caused to grow in it corns and grapes

and Vegetables and olives and dates and lush gardens and fruits of every kind and

fodder as a means of sustenance for you and your cattle” (Al-Quran. Abasa 80:26-32).

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Sayyid Abul A‟la Maududi (1903-1979) summarized this verse ,”Cleaving the earth

asunder" implies cleaving it in a way that the seeds, or seed-stones, or vegetable

seedlings that man sows or plants in it, or which are deposited in it by winds or birds, or

by some other means, should sprout up. Man can do nothing more than to dig the soil,

or plough it, and bury in it the seeds that God has already created. Beyond this

everything is done by God. It is He Who has created the seeds of countless species of

vegetable; it is He Who has endowed these seeds with the quality that when they are

sown in the soil, they should sprout up and from every seed vegetable of its own

particular species should grow. Again it is He Who has created in the earth the

capability that in combination with water it should break open the seeds and develop

and nourish every species of vegetable with the kind of food suitable for it. Had God not

created the seeds with these qualities and the upper layers of the earth with these

capabilities, man could not by himself have arranged any kind of food on the

earth”,(SearchTruth, 4 October 2014).

3.2 The Miracle of Habbatus Sauda in Hadiths

All content of Habbatus sauda or black seeds is used as prevention and ideal cure of

many ailments but cannot prevent aging or death. For instance, several hadith insist

that there is a therapeutic value in Habbatus sauda. In an authentic tradition, according

to Abu Huraira, the Prophet (SAW) said, “I heard Allah's Messenger (SWT) saying,

"There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death" (Hadith. Al-Bukhari. Kitab

al-Tibb:#5687). This hadith does not specify Habbatus sauda only as a healer to certain

diseases in particular but it is covers all diseases except death (Awang, 2008).

According to a tradition, narrated Khalid bin Sa`d: “We went out and Ghalib bin Abjar

was accompanying us. He fell ill on the way and when we arrived at Medina he was still

sick. Ibn Abi 'Atiq came to visit him and said to us, "Treat him with black cumin.Take five

or seven seeds and crush them (mix the powder with oil) and drop the resulting mixture

into both nostrils”, for `Aisha has narrated to me that she heard the Prophet (SAW)

saying, 'This black cumin is healing for all diseases except As-Sam.' Aisha said, 'What

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is As-Sam?' He said, 'Death." (Hadith. Al-Bukhari. Kitab al-Tibb:#5688). Therefore, our

Prophet has revealed the greatness of Black Seed more than 1400 years ago and is a

now scientific study confirming the words of the Prophet (Adi, 2011).

3.3 Habbatus Sauda According To Islamic Philosophers

Habbatus sauda‟s greatness' also was certified by bygone intellectual of several Muslim

scholars. In „Canon of Medicine‟, Ibnu Sina (980-1037) refers to Habbatus sauda as the

seed that stimulates the energy in the body and helps in fatigation, dispiritedness and

give therapeutic impact on gynecological diseases, indigestion and respiratory system.

Ibnu Sina also stated that Habbatus sauda can treat woman‟s problem in menstruation

and destroy the gallstones found in kidneys and help in urination process by mixing the

Habbatus sauda and honey with a glass of warm water and drink it for a few days

(Yusuf, 2010). There is a common certainty in Islam that Habbatus sauda is a

medicament for all illness condition, but cannot prevent from aging or death. This was

according on the Sunnah of Prophet (SAW) which was stated in the book „Al-Mustadrak

alaa al-Sahihain’ (Ibn Qayyim, 2003).

In the book of „Medicine of Prophet’ written by Ibnu Qayyim (1292-1350), habbatus

sauda also can heal 50 types of disease without giving impression side. For instance,

cough, bronchitis, menstrual pain, skin problems such as acne and stomach ache. Ibnu

Qayyim in his book „Zad Al-Mi'ad Fi Huda Khairi Al-Ibad‟ states the same thing with Ibnu

Sina in making remedy for destroying gallstones (Ibn Qayyim, 2003).

3.4 Islamic Reference Books Related to Habbatus Sauda

In the book of „Sains Moden Menurut Perspektif Al-Quran and As-Sunnah‟ written by

Yusuf (2010) referred Habbatus sauda as “habbah al-barakah”. Ummu Aiman, the

caregivers of the Prophet always used Habbatus sauda in treating a patient who came

to her according to the preaching of the Prophet. The Habbatus sauda can treat

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headaches, migraines, and flu with soaking the Habbatus sauda in vinegar and drops it

or inhaled into the nose. According Ibn Hajar, the Habbatus sauda may be given by

crushed, eaten, inhaled, mixed with other substances and others. While Abu Bakar Ibn

Arabi explained that doctors prefer honey than black seed to be medication of all kinds

of diseases but there are certain diseases cannot be cured with honey. The possibility

of Habbatus sauda as a cure all kinds of diseases are higher since it does not have side

effects on the nutritional.

Awang (2008) in his book of „Berubat Dengan Perubatan Bumi Dan Perubatan Langit‟

defined the source of healing from Holy Quran as medicine of Heaven and Habbatus

sauda as a medical earth and covers other things as well. This book also stated that

hadith of Habbatus sauda as a cure of everything except death clearly shows not only

determines Habbatus sauda as a cure for a certain diseases but covered any kind of

diseases. Moreover, the Habbatus sauda created not only for food but as well as

remedy for all diseases.

Other than that, Adi (2011) in his book of „Mengapa Rasulullah Tidak Pernah Sakit‟

stated that the Prophet prefer to eat plants. Neutral plants have protective bonical

factors such as anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic and bioflavoid which beneficial to health.

The Habbatus sauda also can be used as dietary supplements according to Holy Quran

and hadith. The Habbatus sauda has an element that can improve the body's immune

system, which is an immunomodulator. This Immunomodulatory produce interferon

which is important in the body.

4.0 Habbatus Sauda According to Chemistry Perspective

Habbatus sauda is also has been used widely in product making besides medicinal

field. The seeds and oil of Habbatus sauda contained an appreciable amount of

nutrients which may be benefit to health. Thymoquinone is one of the beneficial

elements in the volatile oil of Habbatus sauda and has become the research interest

(Chehl, 2009)

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4.1 Chemical Compositions of Habbatus sauda

A long time ago, the chemical investigation on the Habbbatus Sauda has started. The

compositions is depends on the variety and region. The general chemical compositions

of the Habbatus sauda seeds are shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2: The general chemical composition of Habbatus sauda seeds

Constituent % Range (w/w)

Oil 31-35.5

Protein 16-19.9

Carbohydrates 33-34

Fibre 4.5-6.5

Ash 3.7-7

Saponins 0.013

Moisture 5-7

Sources: Rajsekhar & Kuldeet, (2011)

According to a study on fatty acid and amino acid compositions of Habbatus sauda

seeds from Middle East, Babayan et al. (1978) reported the composition of the seeds

which are 21% protein, 35.5% fat, 5.5% moisture, 3.75 ashes and the rest is

carbohydrate. From the investigation of Habbatus sauda seeds that grown in Turkey;

Nergiz & Ötles (1993) found major differences in the amounts of calcium and potassium

compared with the seeds from Middle East (Babayan et al., 1978). This may be due to

the differences in geographic and surroundings.

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4.1.1 The major components of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid in

Habbatussauda

Linoleic acid was reported as the major component of the unsaturated fatty acid in the

Habbatus sauda seeds (Nickavar et al., 2003; Al-Jasass and Al-Jaseer; 2012). The

other major component of the unsaturated fatty acid is Oleic acid. It is concluded that

the major component of unsaturated fatty acid of the seed oils was very similar from

others origin with exception of some area (Gharby et al., 2013). The compositions of the

unsaturated fatty acid in several origins are shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3: The composition of the unsaturated fatty acid in several origins

Origin Fatty acid

(Linoleic acid) %

Fatty acid

(Oleic acid) %

Researchers

Morocco 58.5 ± 0.1 23.8 ± 0.1 Gharby et al.,2013

Iran 55.6 23.4 Nickavar et al.,2003

Turkey 60.8 ± 2.67 21.9 ± 1.0 Nergiz & Ötles, 1993

Saudi Arabia 68.07 16.23 Al-Jasass & Al-Jaseer,

2012

Palmitic acid and stearic acid are the most important saturated fatty acid in herbal oils.

Besides, it can be synthesized in human body. There are many study have been

conducted on the fatty acid composition of the seeds. Palmitic acid has been revealed

as one of the predominant saturated fatty acid. The percentage of Palmitic acid of

Habbatus sauda seeds are shown in Figure 3 below.

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Figure 3:

The percentage of Palmitic acid of Habbatus Sauda seeds

However, the percentages of Palmitic acid of the seed from Iran were reported as 18.4

and 9.65 by Cheikh-Rouhou et al. (2006) and Tulukcu (2010) respectively. This may be

influenced by genotypic factors, years, various physiological, geographical, ecological

and cultural factors (Nickavar et al., 2003; Cheikh-Rouhou et al., 2006). The structure of

Palmitic acid, Oleic acid and Linoleic acid are shown in Scheme 1 below.

Scheme 1: The structure of Palmitic acid, Oleic acid and Linoleic acid

0 5 10 15 20

Morocco

Iran

Saudi Arabia

Turkey

Tunisia

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4.1.2 Minerals and sterols composition in Habbatus sauda

Habbatus sauda seeds also contained significant amounts of important mineral

elements such as magnesium, zinc, copper and Iron. According to Cheikh-Rouhou et al.

(2006), potassium is the most abundant element in the seed followed by calcium. These

results agree with those found by Nergiz & Ötles (1993) as well as Al-Jasass & Al-

Jaseer (2012).

Based on Cheikh-Rouhou et al. (2006), a study of phenolic, tocopherol, and sterol

profiles of Nigella Sativa seed oil should be undertaken as they are importance for

achieving high oxidative stability. Besides, they could present some functional

molecules having a high added value, improving economic utility of Nigella Sativa seed

as a source of edible lipid. In the determination of sterols composition of the seed,

researcher concluded that β-sitosterol, Campesterol and Stigmasterol as the major

sterols and the dominant sterol in the seed was β-sitosterol (Nergiz & Ötles, 1993; Atta,

2003). The percentage and the structure of β-sitosterol are shown in Table 4 and

Scheme 2 below respectively.

Table 4: Percentage of β-sitosterol

Researchers Amount of β-sitosterol (%)

Atta,2003 63.6 ± 3.5

Gharby et al.,2013 49.4 ± 1.5

Nergiz & Ötles, 1993 69.4 ± 2.78

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Scheme 2: The structure of β-sitosterol

4.2 Active component in volatile oils of Habbatus sauda

Habbatus sauda has role as traditional remedy around Asia and Mediterranean since

long time ago (Gali-Muhtasib et al., 2004). The seeds of this plant are the most

extensively studied, both phytochemically and pharmacologically in recent years.

Pharmacologically studies have showed a wide spectrum of activities such as

antibacterial and antitumor. The ranged of volatile oil is from 0.4-0.7%.

In another study, Hewlett-Packard 6890/5972 system with HP-5MS capillary column has

been used to analyze the volatile oil by GC-MS and Thymoquinone (scheme 3) has

been found (Nickavar et al., 2003). Besides, from the isolation of the volatile oil,

Thymoquinone has been shown to be the principal active ingredient (Mahfouz & El-

Dakhakhny, 1960). According to Chopra et al. (1956), Thymoquinone is the main active

constituent of the volatile seed. In another study (Atta,2003), Thymoquinne(TQ) has

been used in medicine as diuretic, carminative, treatment for asthma, bronchospasm,

coughs, back pain, hypertension and obesity.

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Scheme 3: The chemical structure of Thymoquinone (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-

benzoquinone)

In recent years, many researched have been done in order to investigate the potential

of Thymoquinone as curative remedy. Habbatus sauda seeds and oil are commonly

used for the treatment of asthma in Saudi Arabia. Nigellone (a carbonyl polymer of

Thymoquinone) proved to be an excellent prophylactic agent for asthma and bronchitis

with higher effectiveness in children than adults (Randhawa M & Al-Ghamdi M, 2002).

According to Chakravarty (1993), Nigellone was found to possess anti-histaminic

properties form the basis for traditionally used in respiratory problem.

Based on Al-Ramahi et al. (2014), Habbatus sauda has been used to treat cancer in

West Bank/Palestine. The oil inhibits metastasis development of P815 tumor-bearing

mice tumor when it is injected (Mbarek L et al., 2007). Furthermore, Thymoquinone

showed promising in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic growth inhibition against various

tumor cell lines, inhibit activity on cancer cell growth and its capability for inducing

apoptosis (Gali-Muhtasib et al., 2004).

In recent study, the stimulating effects of α–hederin and up regulation of nitric oxide

synthase gene expression in mouse macrophages were examined. Thus, it showed a

mechanism responsible for its antitumor activities (Jeong et al., 2002). Besides,

Thymoquinone may be effective in treating hormone-sensitive and hormone-refractory

prostate cancer as it inhibited DNA synthesis, proliferation and viability of cancerous

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(Kaseb et al., 2007). Hence, Thymoquinone was concluded as the active component of

Habbatus Sauda volatile oil.

4.3 Recent Advancement in Habbatus Sauda Research

In the previous study, researchers have been focused more on the chemical

composition, the medicinal potential, and the effects of Habbatus sauda. Actually, there

was not much advancement in recent study as it was the continuity of the previous

study. Besides, some of the medicinal potential was not examined in clinical way.

4.3.1 Medicinal Potential in Recent Study

Recently, Khan et al. (2014) have been focusing on regenerative effects of Panacea

seed “Nigella” for gastric ailments. They were investigated the potential mechanisms

exhibited by Habbatus sauda in preventing problems related to gastric ulcers. Besides,

the gastro protective effect of Habbatus sauda has been reported earlier; however, the

complete gastric ulcer is not clear. Here, we can see the continuation of research study

from time to time.

Based on Khan et al. (2014), damage limiting ability of no released by non-steroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs to the gastrointestinal tract, makes Nigella sativa (scientific

name of Habbatus sauda) a good candidate for combination therapy. Furthermore, they

also highlighted the future perspectives that need to be examined again and offer basic

information for any further researches in gastric cancer.

In another study concluded that Habbatus sauda oils administration can prevent or

reverse the hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (Ghadlinge et al., 2014). The study

was conducted on albino rats have shown positive resulted. Thus, more detailed

experimental and clinical work will be required to suggest its use in human. Hence, the

future advancement in Habbatus sauda research is the continuation of recent study.

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4.3.2 Product Formulations of Habbatus sauda

Nowadays, there are many product formulations that used habbatus sauda as the

ingredients. Based on Cheikh-Rouhou et al. (2006), Habbatus sauda is considered as a

new multi-purpose potential for industrial, cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses. The

formulation of Habbatus sauda in cosmetic products and supplement can be concluded

as the development of all researched on its composition. Besides, the research and

development of each sector must confirm the effect of their formulation before started

the product making.

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5.0 Conclusions

Habbatus sauda or scientifically called Nigella Sativa has a lot of miraculous aspect to

be extracted from it. Starting from the plantation of the seed itself, this herbal plant has

ability to empower its potential and distributed widely not just restricted around the

Mediterranean region. The advantages of Habbatus sauda has been known widely

around the world since it already mention by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and then it

classified as one of the prophetic medicine. The research about the potential as healing

medicine has been done by a lot of researchers and one of the remarkable researches

is its mention in The Canon of Medicine by Ibnu Sina. The structure of Habbatus sauda

is studied from chemistry perspective and it shows that its constituents are varied and

the origin plantation affects its percentage main constituents. Furthermore, the active

element that has made researchers interested was Thymoquinone which is only can be

obtained from its volatile oil. This active element has been discussed in many article

and review. Many articles that has published so far focusing on its great potential in

healing disease and its therapeutic study.

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