Kalonji

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Kalonji
Latin/Botanical	Nigella sativa

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Thymoquinone (TQ, major bioactive in essential oil)
• Thymohydroquinone
• Thymol
• Carvacrol
• p-Cymene
• alpha-Thujene
• Nigellicine and Nigellidine (alkaloids)
• alpha-Hederin (saponin)

How does it work?

• Thymoquinone inhibits NF-kB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production
• Anti-asthmatic action through functional antagonism of muscarinic receptors, inhibition of histamine H1 receptors, calcium channel blocking, potassium channel opening, and beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation
• Anticancer activity via induction of apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of angiogenesis
• Antidiabetic mechanism through enhanced pancreatic beta-cell function, improved insulin sensitivity, and inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis
• Antimicrobial action through oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis, efflux pump blockade, and enhanced membrane permeability in pathogens

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

• Digestive aid and carminative for bowel and indigestion problems - validated by pharmacological studies confirming antispasmodic and carminative effects
• Anti-asthmatic and respiratory relief - validated by clinical trials showing bronchodilatory effects and improved lung function in asthma patients
• Blood sugar control in diabetes - supported by year-long adjuvant clinical trial (114 patients, 2 g/day) showing improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
• Lipid-lowering and cardiovascular protection - confirmed by meta-analyses showing significant improvements in lipid profiles
• Immune modulation and anti-infective use - validated by immunological studies demonstrating enhanced immune cell function and antimicrobial activity

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
  Comprehensive review covering main compounds of Nigella sativa with their therapeutic effects, molecular structure, properties, and mechanisms of action, establishing scientific basis for traditional medicinal uses.
• Li Z, Wang Y, Xu Q and others 2023. Nigella sativa and health outcomes: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Frontiers in nutrition. PMID 37057067 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1107750
  Umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirmed significant effects of N. sativa on glycemic control, lipid profiles, blood pressure, body weight, and inflammation markers across multiple clinical trials.
• Wahab S, Alsayari A 2023. Potential Pharmacological Applications of Nigella Seeds with a Focus on Nigella sativa and Its Constituents against Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Progress and Future Opportunities. Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38005726 · doi:10.3390/plants12223829
  Highlighted thymoquinone’s anti-inflammatory mechanisms targeting NF-kB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT pathways, with therapeutic potential in rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, asthma, and neuroinflammatory conditions.
• Mashayekhi-Sardoo H, Rezaee R, Karimi G 2020. Nigella sativa (black seed) safety: an overview. Asian biomedicine : research, reviews and news. PMID 37551386 · doi:10.1515/abm-2020-0020
  Safety overview establishing that N. sativa has a very low degree of toxicity; LD50 varies from 28.8 mL/kg to 3,371 mg/kg in mice; aqueous extracts at doses up to 6 g/kg showed no toxicity in subacute evaluations.

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

Recent safety updates

• Phase I study established safe daily thymoquinone dosage below 48.6 mg per adult (based on NOAEL of 5 mg/kg in 90-day rat studies, converted to human equivalent dose)
• Very low toxicity profile; two cases of contact dermatitis reported with topical use; no significant adverse effects on liver or kidney function with oral administration of seed extract or oil
• Caution advised with concurrent use of antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunosuppressive drugs due to potential synergistic effects; not recommended during pregnancy without medical supervision

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

• Thymoquinone
• Thymohydroquinone
• Thymol
• Carvacrol
• Nigellidine
• Alkaloids
• Nigellicine and

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Seed (whole), Churna (seed powder), Taila (seed oil), Capsule, Soft gel capsule, Tablet

Standard Dosage: 1-3g whole seeds daily; 2.5-5ml oil daily; 500mg-1g extract; commonly mixed with honey (1 tsp seeds + 1 tsp honey)

Bioavailability: Nigella sativa (Kalonji is the Hindi/Urdu name, same as Kalajaji). Thymoquinone bioavailability ~58% in animal models. The oil form serves as a natural self-emulsifying delivery system, providing superior TQ absorption compared to powder form. Nigella oil taken with food shows 2-3x higher TQ plasma levels than fasted state. SNEDDS and nanoparticle formulations under active research for enhanced delivery.

Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach with honey (traditional); with meals for digestive support; oil with fatty meal for enhanced absorption

Standardized Extract: Cold-pressed seed oil (thymoquinone >0.8%); CO2 extract (thymoquinone 3-5%); aqueous-ethanolic extract standardized to 2% thymoquinone

Shelf Life: 3 years (whole seeds); 1-2 years (oil); 1 year (powder); 3 years (soft gel/capsule)

Storage: Seeds: cool, dry, airtight containers. Oil: amber glass, nitrogen-flushed, below 25°C. Protect from light and heat. Avoid plastic containers for oil storage.

Marker Compounds: Thymoquinone, Thymohydroquinone, Thymol, Carvacrol, Nigellone, p-Cymene, Alpha-hederin, Nigellidine, Nigellicine

Extraction Methods

• Cold pressing (seed oil, 30-40% yield)
• Supercritical CO2 extraction
• Steam distillation (essential oil)
• Hydroalcoholic extraction for polyphenol-enriched extract
• Traditional honey infusion

Synergistic Combinations

• With Honey for immune support (Prophetic medicine tradition)
• With Haridra for systemic anti-inflammatory action
• With Ajwain for digestive support
• With Methi seeds for metabolic syndrome management