International Journal of Pharmacology1811-77751812-5700Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/ijp.2009.244.250Nigella sativa Seeds]]>Al-NaqeebGhanya IsmailMaznah S. Al-ZubairiAdel 4200954Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is popularly known as the black seed, a herb that has traditionally been used for centuries in many parts of the world. It has gained popularity due to its potential health benefits. However, more scientific data is needed to support the various health claims. This study was carried out to determine the fatty acid profile, α-tocopherol content and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of seed oil samples from three different regions in Yemen namely Marib, Sadah and Taiz. N. sativa seeds oil was extracted using three different solvents (n-hexane, petroleum ether and chloroform: methanol 2:1 v/v) and the fatty acids composition was analyzed using gas chromatography, while the α-tocopherol was determined using HPLC. Ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the seeds oil. Results indicated that N. sativa seeds contain high amount of oil (30-48%) and the major unsaturated fatty acids were linoleic acid (57.96, 58.04 and 57.04%) followed by oleic acid (21.49, 20.87 and 20.60%), while the main saturated fatty acids were palmitic (11.56, 11.23 and 11.22%), followed by stearic and myristic acids in Marib, Taiz and Sadah samples respectively. Oil extracts exhibited strong antioxidant properties when compared to α-tocopherol with 78-82% inhibition in the FTC method and 70-80% in the TBA assays. The oil extracts were found to be rich in α-tocopherol content 290±1.5, 170±0.40 and 120±0.15 mg/100 g, in Marib, Sadah and Taiz samples, respectively. Present results suggest that N. sativa seeds contain high amount of antioxidants that are essential for health and preventing numerous diseases.]]>Al-Ghamdi, M.S.,2001Nigella sativa.]]>764548Al-Jassir, M.S.,1992Nigella sativa L.) seeds growing in Saudi Arabia.]]>45239242Alzoreky, N. and K. Nakahara,20017141144Atta, M.B.,2003Nigella sativa L.) seed cultivated in Egypt and its lipid profile.]]>836368Bourgou, S., R. Ksouri, A. Bellila, I. Skandrani, H. Falleh and B. Marzouk,2008Nigella sativa L. shoots and roots.]]>3314548Burits, M. and F. Bucar,2000Nigella sativa essential oil.]]>14323328Daba, M.H. and M.S. Abdel-Rahman,1998162329El-Dakhakhny, M., M. Barakat, M.A. El-Halim and S.M. Aly,2000Nigella sativa oil on gastric secretion and ethanol induced ulcer in rats.]]>72299304El Shenawy, N.S., M.F.M. Soliman and S.I. Reyad,2008Nigella sativa as anti-schistosomiasis agents in mice.]]>502936Ghosheh, O.A., A.A. Houdi and P.A. Crooks,1999Nigella sativa L.).]]>5757762Haq, A., P.I. Lobo, M. Al-Tufail, N.R. Rama and S. Al-Sedairy,1999Nigella sativa proteins fractionated by ion exchange chromatography.]]>21283295Houghton, P.J., R. Zarka, B. de las Heras and J.R.S. Hoult,1995Nigella sativa and derived thymoquinone inhibit eicosanoid generation in leukocytes and membrane lipid peroxidation.]]>613336IUPAC.,19796th Edn.,Kanter, M., I. Meral, S. Dede, M. Cemek, H.A. Ozbek and I. Yygan and H. Gunduz,2003Nigella sativa L. and Urtica dioica L. on lipid peroxidation, Antioxidant enzyme system and some liver enzymes in CCL4-Treatted rats.]]>50264268Katsanidis, E. and P.B. Addis,19992711371140Meral, I., Z. Yener, T. Kahraman and N. Mert,2001Nigella sativa on glucose concentration, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense system and liver damage in experimentally-induced diabetic rabbits.]]>63307310Nagi, M.N. and M.A. Mansour,200041283289Nergiz, C. and S. Otles,1993Nigella sativa L. seeds.]]>48259261Osawa, T. and M. Namiki,1981Eucalyptus leaves.]]>45735739Ottolenghi, A.,195979355363Ramadan, M.F. and J.T. Morsel,2002Nigella sativa L.) seed oil.]]>46240244Ramadan, M.F. and J.T. Morsel,2002Nigella sativa L.) seed oils.]]>214202206Ramadan, M.F., L.W. Kroh and J.T. Morsel,2003Nigella sativa L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and niger (Guizotia abyssinica cass.) crude seed oils and oil fractions.]]>5169616969Suboh, S.M., Y.Y. Bilto and T.A. Aburjai,200418280284