Shoneez (Nigella sativa) and its therapeutic effect in Unani Medicine-A Review

The importance of Shoneez may be gauged from the fact that it cures every disease except; death as stated by blessed messenger of Islam. Worldwide Shoneez has been subjected to so much of scrutiny and exploitation as to its phyto chemical constituents. Shoneez commonly known as black seed (Kalonji) belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae. Seeds are used since time immemorial for the treatment of different ailments such as Ziabetus (Diabetes), Zeequn Nafs (Asthama), Sual Muzmin (Chronic cough), Siman-e-Mufrit (Obesity), Tasammum-eDam (Dyslipidemia), Sartan (Cancer), Zagatuddam Qawi (Hypertension) etc. The seeds hold both fixed and essential oils, saponin, alkaloids and proteins. Most of the pharmacological actions of the seeds have been revealed due to Nigellidine, Nigellicine, Dithymoquinone and thymoquinone which is a core constituent of the essential oil. Key-words: Kalonji, Habat-ul-Sauda, Shoneez, Nigella sativa, Unani Medicine Introduction: Shoneez is extensively used as a medicinal plant globally. It is widely popular in diverse systems of medicine like Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha and Folk medicine. Seeds and oil has a long history of usage as home remedies in various systems of medicines and food. The seeds of N. sativa have been widely used in the treatment of different ailments. In Islamic literature, it is labelled as one of the greatest form of healing medicine. It has been recommended for using on regular basis in Tibb-e-Nabwi (Prophetic Medicine) [1, 2]. In Unani literature it is described in the name of Habat-ul-Sauda [3]. According to Tibbe Nabvi Prophet Muhammed (saw) has advocated the use of Shoneez because it has cure for all diseases except death [4]. Vernacular name: [5-12]. Arabic: Habbatul Sauda, Kabodan . Kamun Aswad, Shoneez Persian: Shoneez, Siyah Dana Urdu: Kalonji Hindi: Kalonji, Kalajira, Mangraila English: Small Funnel, Black Cumin Bengali: Kala Zeera, Mangrela Gujrati: Kalaunji Jirum, Kadujeeroo Kannada: Karijirige Kashmiri: Tukhme Gandana Marathi: Kalaunji-jire, kalerjire Malyalam: Karinchirakam Panjabi: Kavanji Tamil: Karunjarakam, Karunjiragam Telgu: Peeajila Kara, Nallajilakara Sanskrit: Susavi, Krishna jiraka, Upakuncika, Karvi, Sthula Jiraka Sindhi: Kalodi Unani: Sino, Sheenon, Kamaazaruus Turki: Qarachurak Audi Shamim Ahmed et al. / International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR) ISSN : 0975-9492 Vol 6 No 01 Jan 2015 12 Chemical constituents: Essential oil, Volatile oil, Fixed oil, Steroid, Saponin, Melanthin, Mucilage, Resins, Sugars, Alkaloids, Tannins, Linoleic acid, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Palmitoleic acid and Oleic acid, Nigellidine, Nigellicine, Dithymoquinone, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Phosphorus, Calcium [10, 11,13-16].