Academia Open
Vol 10 No 1 (2025): June (In Progress)
Medicine

Potential of Nigella sativa as a Natural Antimicrobial Drug Candidate
Potensi Nigella sativa sebagai Kandidat Obat Antimikroba Alami


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  • Alswedawi Wissam Kareem *,
  • Alswedawi Husham kareem ,
  • Saif subhy Nouri
Alswedawi Wissam Kareem
Anbar Education, Iraq *
Alswedawi Husham kareem
Anbar Education, Iraq
Saif subhy Nouri
Anbar university , Iraq

(*) Corresponding Author
Picture in here are illustration from public domain image or provided by the author, as part of their works
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21070/acopen.10.2025.10810
Published April 11, 2025
Keywords
  • Nigella sativa,
  • Black seed,
  • Antibacterial,
  • Antibiotics resistance
How to Cite
Kareem , A. W., kareem , A. H., & Nouri , S. subhy. (2025). Potential of Nigella sativa as a Natural Antimicrobial Drug Candidate. Academia Open, 10(1), 10.21070/acopen.10.2025.10810. https://doi.org/10.21070/acopen.10.2025.10810

Copyright (c) 2025 Alswedawi Wissam Kareem , Alswedawi Husham kareem , Saif subhy Nouri

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

General Background: Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a major global health crisis in recent decades, driven by the rise of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Specific Background: As conventional antibiotics become less effective, there is growing interest in exploring natural sources, such as medicinal plants, for novel antimicrobial agents. Knowledge Gap: Despite the traditional use of Nigella sativa in various cultures, the precise mechanisms underlying its antimicrobial properties remain inadequately understood. Aims: This mini-review aims to highlight the potential of Nigella sativa seeds and oil as promising antimicrobial agents, focusing on their bioactive compounds and therapeutic applications. Results: Findings indicate that the therapeutic potential of N. sativa is largely attributed to thymoquinone and other key constituents, including linoleic acid, nigellone, nigilline, melanthin, and trans-anethole, which exhibit diverse pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gastroprotective effects. Novelty: This review underscores the relevance of N. sativa as a safe, natural alternative in antimicrobial therapy, rooted in traditional medicine yet supported by emerging scientific evidence. Implications: Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of N. sativa’s bioactivity and isolating specific active compounds to facilitate drug development against resistant pathogens.

Highlights:

  1. Rising antibiotic resistance demands alternative antimicrobial sources.
  2. Nigella sativa shows therapeutic potential via thymoquinone and key compounds.
  3. Supports future drug development from natural, plant-based bioactive agents.

Keywords: Nigella sativa; Black seed ; Antibacterial; Antibiotics resistance

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