The black seed (nigella sativa) as an immunomodulator and antimicrobial agent

Objectives: The study objective was to examine immunomodulatory and antimicrobial potency of Nigella sativa. Methods: Iron in Nigella sativa was studied by Spectrophotometer and molar absorptivity of metal concentration was by Calibration curve. Anti-microbial activity was evaluated by well and disc diffusion including its MIC and MBC values. Findings: In calibration curve, molar absorptivity of metal concentration was calculated as 10,000/M/cm at 515nm and concentration average values of five samples were 133.83038ppm. Hydroquinone found to be highly reductants, followed by Nigella sativa and then hydroxyl ammonium chloride. In standard antibiotic discs testing, all microbes were showed resistance to Oxacillin. Inhibitory zones were measured by well and disc diffusion assay. Log of CFU/ml was recorded by Miles and Misra. Streptococcus pyogenes showed high sensitivity against methanolic and aqueous extracts while Pseudomonas aeruginosa highly sensitive against methanolic extract. Growth curve and Killing time of MRSA bared that aqueous extract posse’s bacteriostatic effect while oil and methanolic extract showed bactericidal effect against few microbes. Nigella sativa oil showed more effectiveness as least concentration is required to kill microbes. Conclusion: From this studies we conclude Nigella sativa serve as a source of iron and antioxidants and provide appropriate amount of iron, according to the body need.