Kalajaji

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Kalajaji
Latin/Botanical	Nigella sativa L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Thymoquinone
• Thymohydroquinone
• Dithymoquinone (nigellone)
• P-cymene
• Carvacrol
• Alpha-pinene
• Alpha-hederin
• Thymol
• 4-Terpineol
• Kaempferol

How does it work?

• Thymoquinone inhibits NF-kB nuclear translocation, suppresses COX-2 and iNOS expression, and modulates MAPK signaling pathways, providing broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects
• Alpha-hederin (triterpene saponin) disrupts cancer cell membranes through cholesterol binding and induces apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway activation (cytochrome c release, caspase-3/9 activation)
• Thymoquinone protects pancreatic beta cells from oxidative damage and enhances insulin secretion through modulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis and AMPK pathway activation

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

• Antidiabetic activity validated through multiple clinical trials demonstrating improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients, confirming traditional use for blood sugar management
• Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects confirmed in clinical and preclinical studies supporting traditional use for rheumatic conditions and pain relief
• Immunomodulatory effects validated through clinical evidence showing enhanced immune response, supporting the traditional Islamic medicine description as ‘cure for everything except death’

What do recent clinical trials show?

• Alberts A, Moldoveanu ET, Niculescu AG and others 2024. Nigella sativa: A Comprehensive Review of Its Therapeutic Potential, Pharmacological Properties, and Clinical Applications. International journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39769174 · doi:10.3390/ijms252413410
  Systematic evaluation confirming antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and gastroprotective effects with 51 clinical trials identified on ClinicalTrials.gov.

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Generally well tolerated; LD50 ranges from 28.8 mL/kg to 3,371 mg/kg in mice; subacute toxicity evaluations showed no toxicity at doses up to 6 g/kg of aqueous/methanol/chloroform extracts
• Mild adverse effects reported in clinical trials include bloating, nausea, and burning sensation in dyspeptic patients; allergic contact dermatitis documented in case reports
• Slight increase in kidney and liver enzymes observed with prolonged use of oil and crushed seeds; chronic toxicity studies found 2 mL/kg fixed oil slightly toxic over extended periods

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

• Thymoquinone
• Thymohydroquinone
• Nigellone
• Carvacrol
• Thymol
• Kaempferol
• Dithymoquinone
• Alpha-pinene
• Alpha-hederin

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (seed powder), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (oil), Soft gel capsule, Honey-seed paste

Standard Dosage: 1-3g seed powder twice daily; 2.5-5ml seed oil daily; 500mg extract twice daily; 200-500mg thymoquinone-standardized extract

Bioavailability: Nigella sativa (Black Cumin|black cumin) contains thymoquinone (TQ) as primary active compound. TQ has moderate oral bioavailability (~58% in animal models) but is rapidly metabolized. TQ is lipophilic (logP 2.4); absorption is enhanced 3-5x when taken with fatty meals or in oil form. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), SNEDDS, and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes significantly improve TQ bioavailability. Fixed oil form provides natural lipid carrier for TQ.

Optimal Timing: With meals (especially fatty meals) for optimal absorption; morning and evening doses. Traditional: mixed with honey on empty stomach.

Standardized Extract: Cold-pressed seed oil standardized to minimum 0.8% thymoquinone; CO2 extract with 3-5% thymoquinone; powder extract standardized to 2% thymoquinone

Shelf Life: 1 year (cold-pressed oil without antioxidants); 2 years (oil with antioxidant); 3 years (whole seeds); 3 years (soft gel/capsule)

Storage: Oil: amber glass bottles, nitrogen-flushed, below 25°C, protected from light. Seeds: cool, dry place. Soft gels: below 25°C, moisture-proof packaging.

Marker Compounds: Thymoquinone, Thymohydroquinone, Thymol, Carvacrol, p-Cymene, Nigellone (dithymoquinone), Alpha-hederin, Nigellidine

Extraction Methods

• Cold pressing (black seed oil, 30-40% yield)
• Supercritical CO2 extraction (TQ-enriched oil)
• Steam distillation (essential oil, 0.4-2.5%)
• Hydroalcoholic extraction (80:20) for phenolic-rich extract
• Hexane extraction for fixed oil

Synergistic Combinations

• With Honey (traditional Prophetic medicine combination)
• With Haridra for anti-inflammatory synergy
• With Methi for blood sugar management
• With Amalaki for immune support and antioxidant action
• With Habbatus Sauda oil and honey for respiratory support