Structural Diversity, Spectral Data and Pharmacological Effects of Genus Nigella.

Nigella is one of the most studied plant because of its pharmacological properties like anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, hepatoprotective and anti-cancerous. In this study, about 20 species of genus Nigella were reviewed and among them N. damascene, N. glandulifera and N. sativa are widely studied for their phytochemical and pharmacological effects. This review describes the phytochemical composition of genus Nigella, which constitutes many of the compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids. These compounds were identified by different spectral techniques. The spectral detail of some advanced techniques including EIS-MS, UV-Visible, IR, 13C and 1H NMR of the some important phytoconstituents of Nigella spp. has been compiled for the first time in this review which will be helpful to explore further investigate the chemical composition of this genus.