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Nigella sativa and its chemical constituents: pre-clinical and clinical evidence for their potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects

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Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over 500 million reported cases of COVID-19 worldwide with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Although global vaccination drive has helped control the pandemic, the newer variant of the virus still holds the world in ransom. Several medicinal herbs with antiviral properties have been reported, and one such promising herb is Nigella sativa (NS). Recent molecular docking, pre-clinical, and clinical studies have shown that NS extracts may have the potential to prevent the entry of coronaviruses into the host cell as well as to treat and manage COVID-19 symptoms. Several active compounds from NS, such as nigelledine, α-hederin, dithymoquinone (DTQ), and thymoquinone (TQ), have been proposed as excellent ligands to target angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 receptors) and other targets on host cells as well as the spike protein (S protein) on SARS-CoV-2. By binding to these target proteins, these ligands could potentially prevent the binding between ACE2 and S protein. Though several articles have been published on the promising therapeutic role of NS and its constituents against SARS-CoV-2 infection, in this review, we consolidate the published information on NS and SARS-CoV-2, focusing on pre-clinical in silico studies as well as clinical trials reported between 2012 and 2023.

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“Several in vivo and human studies have reported that there are no significant adverse effects following NS administration, it is imperative to formally investigate and confirm the safety and the efficacy profile of NS extracts as a remedy for COVID-19” For this statement we referred to published studies on human and animal models which have shown that administration of NS produced no significant hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal adverse effects, or any other marked side effects other than few reported cases of allergic contact dermatitis. The toxicological and safety profile of NS has established it as a safe therapeutic herb, with a high lethal dosage 50 (LD50) value (Mashayekhi-Sardoo et al. 2020).

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and Al Jalila Foundation, UAE

Funding

This study was in part supported by the Al Jalila Foundation (AJF) and the MBRU-Al Mahmeed Research Fund. ACC was supported by AJF Post-Doctoral Fellowship Research Award; NA and AP were supported by MBRU-Al Mahmeed Research Grant (ALM20-0075).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Asha Caroline Cyril, Najma Mohamed Ali, Anagha Nelliyulla Parambath, Reem Kais Jan, Noushad Karuvantevida, Haneen Aburamadan & Rajan Radhakrishnan

  2. Department of Biotechnology, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

    Cijo George Vazhappilly

  3. Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Yosra Lozon

Authors
  1. Asha Caroline Cyril
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  2. Najma Mohamed Ali
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  3. Anagha Nelliyulla Parambath
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  4. Cijo George Vazhappilly
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  6. Noushad Karuvantevida
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  9. Rajan Radhakrishnan
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Contributions

Conceptualization: ACC, NA, and RR; Data acquisition and original draft preparation: ACC, NA, AP; Reviewing and editing: All authors; RR supervised the study.

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Correspondence to Asha Caroline Cyril.

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Cyril, A.C., Ali, N.M., Nelliyulla Parambath, A. et al. Nigella sativa and its chemical constituents: pre-clinical and clinical evidence for their potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. Inflammopharmacol 32, 273–285 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-023-01385-9

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