J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Jun; 76(1): 45-8.

The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity of Nigella sativa.

Al-Ghamdi MS.

Department of Pharmacology, King Faisal University, College of Medicine, PO Box 2114, 31451, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. mghamdi@dammam.kfu.edu.sa

The aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) was investigated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in animal models. The extract has an anti-inflammatory effect demonstrated by its inhibitory effects on Carrageenan induced paw edema. It also produced significant increase in the hot plate reaction time in mice indicating analgesic effect. However, N. sativa crude suspension had no effect on yeast induced pyrexia. This study therefore, supports its use in folk medicine both as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent and calls for further investigations to elucidate its mechanism of action.