Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • About Journal
      • Aim and Scope
      • Editorial Board
      • Indexing Info
      • Contact Us
    • Browse Issues
      • Articles in Press
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues
    • For Authors
      • Instructions to Authors
      • Article Processing Charges
      • Submit your article
      • Downloads
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pharmacognosy Communications
    • Home
    • About Journal
      • Aim and Scope
      • Editorial Board
      • Indexing Info
      • Contact Us
    • Browse Issues
      • Articles in Press
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues
    • For Authors
      • Instructions to Authors
      • Article Processing Charges
      • Submit your article
      • Downloads
    Pharmacognosy Communications
    retyeyutreu
    Original Article

    An Assessment of the Antibacterial Activities, Phytochemistry and Toxicities of Nigella damascena L. Seed Extracts

    Web AdminBy Web AdminJuly 5, 2024Updated:July 6, 2024No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Pinterest Email

    Jinwoo Kim1, Enoch John Rusford1, Gagan Tiwana1, Sean Robert Alcorn1, Ian Edwin Cock2,3, Matthew James Cheesman1,*
    1School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA.
    2School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA.
    DOI: 10.5530/pc.2024.3.18

    ABSTRACT 

    Background: Nigella damascena L. (ND) seeds have been incorporated into traditional plant-based medicinal systems for millennia. However, there are conflicting reports on the antibacterial activities of the seed extracts, although phytochemicals known to possess antibacterial activity have been found in the seeds of this species. The toxicities of the extracts have not been studied previously. Aim: This work assesses the ability for aqueous and methanolic ND seed extracts to inhibit the growth of a panel of skin pathogens on agar and in broth, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Qualitative determinations of the phytochemical constituents of the extracts were performed, as well as their toxicity levels. Materials and Methods: Bacterial growth inhibition was evaluated using agar disc diffusion and liquid broth microdilution assays, whilst Artemia nauplii bioassays were used to screen toxicities. Qualitative phytochemical assays were conducted to assess the relative abundance of several important phytochemical compound classes. Results: No inhibition was observed on agar for either the aqueous or methanolic extracts against S. aureus, MRSA, S. epidermidis or S. pyogenes. This was concordant with the liquid microdilution broth assays, with the exception of the methanolic ND extract against S. pyogenes, which produced a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 481 μg/mL. Phenols, saponins, tannins and alkaloid were present in both extract types, while flavonoids could be detected in the methanolic extract only. Both extracts were deemed to be nontoxic in the Artemia nauplii assay. Conclusion: The ND methanolic extract possessed activity against S. pyogenes in liquid broth, but not on agar. The presence of flavonoids in this extract may be responsible for this activity. The extracts were inactive against S. aureus, MRSA and S. epidermidis in agar and broth assays, and were also nontoxic as adjudged by the Artemia nauplii brine shrimp assays.

    Keywords: Nigella damascena, Natural products, Antibiotic resistance, MRSA, Toxicities, Bacterial growth.

    DOWNLOAD PDF
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    About Journal
    About Journal

    Pharmacognosy Communications [Phcog Commn.] is a quarterly journal published by Phcog.Net. It is a peer reviewed journal aiming to publish high quality original research articles, methods, techniques and evaluation reports, critical reviews, short communications, commentaries and editorials of all aspects of medicinal plant research. The journal is aimed at a broad readership, publishing articles on all aspects of pharmacognosy, and related fields. The journal aims to increase understanding of pharmacognosy as well as to direct and foster further research through the dissemination of scientific information by the publication of manuscripts. The submission of original contributions in all areas of pharmacognosy are welcome.
    Indexed and Abstracted in : Chemical Abstracts, Excerpta Medica / EMBASE, Google Scholar, CABI Full Text, Ulrich’s International Periodical Directory, ProQuest, Journalseek & Genamics, PhcogBase, EBSCOHost, Academic Search Complete, Open J-Gate, SciACCESS.
    Rapid publication: Average time from submission to first decision is 30 days and from acceptance to In Press online publication is 45 days.
    Open Access Journal: Phcog Commn. is an open access journal, which allows authors to fund their article to be open access from publication.

    © 2025 Pharmacognosy Communications. Maintained by Manuscript TechnoMedia LLP.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Scroll Up