Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical, Qualitative And Quantitative Estimation Of Ethanolic Seed Extract Of Nigella Sativa Linn

Abstract

Medicinal plants have bioactive compounds which are used for curing of various human diseases and also play an important role in healing. Secondary constituents contain alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, saponin, steroids and tannins. Medicinal plants have anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antidiuretic and anti- inflammation activities ect. The increasing interest in powerful biological activity of secondary metabolites outlined the necessity of determining their contents in medicinal plants. Nigella sativa L (Ranunculaceae family) or commonly known as black cumin has long been used as a phytomedicine for antidiarrhea, appetite enhancer, diuretic, antibacterial, analgesic, anthelmintic, various skin diseases, anti-inflammatory, back pain, hemiplegia (paralysis of the hands or feet) and rheumatism. The aim of present work was to study the pharmacognostic, physicochemical, qualitative and quantitative estimation of ethanolic seed extract of Nigella sativa Linn. The different pharmacognostical parameters were evaluated as per standard protocols with some modifications. The preliminary phytochemical studies were performed with various reagents and chemicals on seed extracts in order to determine the various secondary metabolites. Quantitative analysis of total flavonoids was determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpene, alkaloid, phenolic, glycoside, sugar, and saponins. The total flavonoids content of Nigella sativa L seeds of ethanolic extract was founds to be 8.94 ± 0.1 mg/100 gm. Further studies on the isolation of bioactive phytoconstituents of Nigella sativa seeds and their mechanism of action are strongly recommended before its application to humans.