Phytochemical Diversity, Pharmacological Potential, and Nutraceutical Applications of Nigella sativa and Solanum melongena Seeds: An Integrative Review
Keywords:
Nigella sativa, Solanum melongena, Phytochemicals, Synergistic Formulations, safety, Regulatory AspectsAbstract
Nigella sativa (Black Cumin) and Solanum melongena (Eggplant) seeds are emerging as versatile botanical resources with significant nutraceutical and functional food potential. This review comprehensively evaluates their phytochemical compositions, bioactivities, and current applications, integrating evidence from in-vitro, in-vivo, and limited clinical studies. Nigella sativa seeds are rich in thymoquinone, nigellone, and essential fatty acids, underpinning potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and metabolic regulatory effects. Solanum melongena seeds, characterized by nasunin, chlorogenic acid, and phenolic acids, exhibit strong antioxidant and cardioprotective properties, along with favourable sensory attributes for food fortification. The nutraceutical applications of both seeds span dietary supplements, fortified bakery and dairy products, functional beverages, and polyphenol-rich extracts. Comparative analysis highlights complementary pharmacological profiles, suggesting synergistic benefits in combined formulations. Safety evaluations indicate low acute and subchronic toxicity at traditionally consumed dosages, while international regulatory recognition varies, with Nigella sativa enjoying broader acceptance. Despite promising evidence, gaps persist in clinical validation, standardization, and bioavailability optimization. Future research should prioritize large-scale randomized controlled trials, development of validated quality markers, and formulation innovations to enhance efficacy. Harnessing the complementary strengths of these seeds could yield next-generation nutraceuticals targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function. This review underscores the potential of Nigella sativa and Solanum melongena as integral components of evidence-based functional food and nutraceutical strategies.
Downloads
References
Pandey R, Pandey B, Bhargava A. An updated review on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Adv Chin Med. 2025;2(1):13–29.
Gupta M, Mehta BK. A comprehensive review on secondary metabolites of Nigella sativa L (Seeds). Res J Chem Sci. 2017;7(12):16–29.
Begum A, Afrose S, Azeez RA, Syed T, Ansari US, Tazneem B. Phytochemistry and pharmacological review: Nigella sativa. Indian J Pharm Biol Res. 2021;9(2):7–11.
Eid A. A review on the cosmeceutical and external applications of Nigella sativa. J Trop Med. 2017;2017:7092514.
Narra J, Kulsum K, Syahrul S, et al. Phytocompounds of Nigella sativa seeds extract and their neuroprotective potential via EGR1 receptor inhibition: a molecular docking study. Narra J. 2023;3(2):e173.
Almatroodi SA, Almatroudi A, Khan AA, et al. Nigella sativa: a comprehensive review of its therapeutic potential. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(24):13410.
Hamed ES, Toaima WI, Abd El-Aleem WH. Impact of different planting locations on Nigella sativa L. yield in Egypt. Egypt J Desert Res. 2023;73:23–38.
Hannan MA, Rahman MA, Sohag AAM, et al. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.): a comprehensive review on phytochemistry, health benefits, molecular pharmacology, and safety. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1784.
Yimer EM, Tuem KB, Karim A, et al. Nigella sativa L. (black cumin): a promising natural remedy for wide range of illnesses. Evid Based Complement Altern Med. 2019;2019:1528635.
Belgaumi U, Patil S, Gandhi J, Shete A. The many therapeutic applications of Nigella sativa—A review. J Evol Med Dent Sci. 2020;9:2151–7.
Mathur K. The pharmacological actions of the seeds of Nigella sativa. J Pharm Educ. 1995;29:111–6.
Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. Nigella sativa: a review on therapeutic potential. Phytother Res. 2013;27(8):1137–48.
Dalli M, Bekkouch O, Azizi S, et al. Nigella sativa L. phytochemistry and pharmacological activities: a review (2019–2021). Biomolecules. 2021;12(1):20.
Rahman A, Abdullah A, Mansour B, Yahya G, Faisal S. Unlocking the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa extract: phytochemical analysis and pharmacological insights. Biomed Res Int. 2024;2024:1124195.
Randhawa MA, Alghamdi MS. Anticancer activity of Nigella sativa (black seed) – a review. Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(6):1075–91.
Fekry MI, Ezzat SM, Salama MM, et al. Bioactive glycoalkaloides from Solanum melongena fruit peels with anticancer properties against hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep. 2019;9:1746.
Alighadri T, Tabibiazar M, Mohammadi M, et al. Nasunin, an amazing chemical constituent in eggplants: occurrence, chemistry, biosynthesis, stability, and applications. ACS Food Sci Technol. 2024;4:16–35.
Raigón MD, Prohens J, Muñoz-Falcón JE, Nuez F. Characterization of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) for bioactive compounds: phenolics, minerals, dry matter and protein. J Food Compos Anal. 2008;21(6):370–6.
Plazas M, López-Gresa MP, Vilanova S, et al. Diversity and relationships in key traits for functional and apparent quality in a collection of eggplant: fruit phenolics content, antioxidant activity, and browning. J Agric Food Chem. 2013;61(37):8871–9.
Stommel JR, Whitaker BD. Phenolic acid content and composition of eggplant fruit in a germplasm core subset. J Am Soc Hortic Sci. 2003;128(5):704–10.
Kumar, S., Saha, S., Singh, K., Singh, T., Mishra, A. K., Dubey, B. N., & Singh, S. (2024). Beneficial effects of spirulina on brain health: A systematic review. Current Functional Foods, 3(1), Article e120124225622. https://doi.org/10.2174/0126668629269256231222092721
RaviKKumar VR, Rathi S, Singh S, Patel B, Singh S, Chaturvedi K, Sharma B. A Comprehensive Review on Ulcer and Their Treatment. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2023 Dec 21;39:e20230006. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2023.006. PMID: 38755116.
Singh, V., Arora, S., Akram, W., Alam, S., Kumari, L., Kumar, N., Kumar, B., Kumar, S., Agrawal, M., Singhal, M., Kumar, S., Singh, S., Singh, K., Saha, S., & Dwivedi, V. (2024). Involvement of molecular mechanism and biological activities of Pemirolast: A therapeutic review. New Emirates Medical Journal, 5, Article e02506882308410. https://doi.org/10.2174/0102506882308410240607053814
Rajput DS, Gupta N, Singh S, Sharma B. A Comprehensive Review: Personalized Medicine for Rare Disease Cancer Treatment. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2023 Dec 23;39:e20230008. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2023.008. PMID: 38830754.
Singh S, Chaurasia A, Rajput DS, Gupta N. Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery System and There Future Prospective: Are a Promising Approach for Effective Treatment? Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2023 Dec 20;39:e20230005. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2023.005. PMID: 38751344.
Kumar, S., Saha, S., Sharma, B., Singh, S., Shukla, P., Mukherjee, S., Agrawal, M., Singh, K., & Singh, T. (2023). The role of resveratrol in Alzheimer's disease: A comprehensive review of current research. Current Functional Foods, 2(2), Article e121223224364, 13 pages. https://doi.org/10.2174/0126668629269244231127071411
Patel S, Ismail Y, Singh S, Rathi S, Shakya S, Patil SS, Bumrela S, Jain PC, Goswami P, Singh S. Recent Innovations and Future Perspectives in Transferosomes for Transdermal Drug Delivery in Therapeutic and Pharmacological Applications. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Oct 24;40:e20240031. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2024.031. PMID: 39442957.
Vaghela MC, Rathi S, Shirole RL, Verma J, Shaheen, Panigrahi S, Singh S. Leveraging AI and Machine Learning in Six-Sigma Documentation for Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Jul 18;40:e20240005. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2024.005. PMID: 39019923.
Patel S, Ismail Y, Singh S, Rathi S, Shakya S, Patil SS, Bumrela S, Jain PC, Goswami P, Singh S. Recent Innovations and Future Perspectives in Transferosomes for Transdermal Drug Delivery in Therapeutic and Pharmacological Applications. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Oct 24;40:e20240031. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2024.031. PMID: 39442957.
Kumar, S., Saha, S., Pathak, D., Singh, T., Kumar, A., Singh, K., Mishra, A. K., Singh, S., & Singh, S. (2024). Cholesterol absorption inhibition by some nutraceuticals. Recent Advances in Food, Nutrition & Agriculture, 16(1), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.2174/012772574X285280240220065812
Singh, S., Chaurasia, A., Rajput, D. S., & Gupta, N. (2024). An overview on mucoadhesive buccal drug delivery systems & approaches: A comprehensive review. African Journal of Biological Sciences (South Africa), 6(5), 522–541, DOI: 10.33472/AFJBS.6.5.2024.522-541
Kumar, S., Singh, S., Rajput, D., Sharma, B., Chaturvedi, K., Singh, N., Saha, S., Singh, K., & Mukherjee, S. (2024). Pharmacological approaches and herbal interventions for Alzheimer's disease. The Natural Products Journal, 14(8), Article e220124225945. https://doi.org/10.2174/0122103155275266231123090138
Ravikkumar VR, Patel BD, Rathi S, Parthiban S, Upadhye MC, Shah AM, Rehan SSA, Samanta S, Singh S. Formulation and Evaluation of Drumstick Leaves Tablet as An Immunomodulator. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Jun 21;40:e20240004. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2024.004. PMID: 38902996.
Sharma, A., Bara, G., Keshamma, E., Sharma, B., Singh, S., Singh, S. P., Parashar, T., Rathore, H. S., Sarma, S. K., & Rawat, S. (2023). Cancer biology and therapeutics: A contemporary review. Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, 14(10), 1229-1247.
Dewangan, H. K., Singh, S., Mishra, R., & Dubey, R. K. (2020). A review on application of nanoadjuvant as delivery system. International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 12(4), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2020v12i4.36856
Singh S, Chaurasia A, Gupta N, Rajput DS. Effect of Formulation Parameters on Enalapril Maleate Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablet Using Quality by Design (QbD) Approach. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Jun 27;40:e20240003. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2024.003. PMID: 38925868.
Patel S, Alam MI, Shirole RL, Kulkarni PA, Nath J, Prasad M, Singh S, Rathi S. Formulation and optimization of piroxicam loaded nanoparticles for topical application using design of experiments (DoE). Cuest Fisioter. 2025;54(4):109-119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48047/bsa4k692
Patel SK, Prathyusha S, Kasturi M, Godse KC, Singh R, Rathi S, Bumrela S, Singh S, Goswami P. Optimizing Irbesartan Fast Dissolving Tablets Using Natural Polysaccharides for Enhanced Drug Delivery and Patient Compliance. Int Res J Multidiscip Scope (IRJMS). 2025;6(1):1181-1190. https://doi.org/10.47857/irjms.2025.v06i01.02542
Prince Patel, Piyush Jain, Hetvarth Patel, Aman Tiwari, Sanjesh Rathi and Shubham Singh (2025) Formulation, optimization and evaluation of mucoadhesive buccal tablets of ondansetron for enhanced bioavailability and sustained drug release. Biochem. Cell. Arch. 25, 1063-1069. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51470/bca.2025.25.1.1063
Singh S, Rathi S, Singh S, Sharma B, Dwivedi V. CD3-Bispecific Monoclonal Antibodies: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Complex and Multifactorial Diseases. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Aug 4;41:e20250019. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2025.019. PMID: 40754469.
Singh S, Rajput DS, Gupta N, Sharma B, Rathi S, Singh A. A Brief Review on Transdermal Patches. Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Jun 23;41:e20250013. doi: 10.62958/j.cjap.2025.013. PMID: 40545439.
Sanjesh G. Rathi, Kaushik Kamani, Bhoomi Patel, Shubham Singh, Yash Patel. Formulation and Evaluation of Voriconazole Emulgel. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2025;18(8):3917-2. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00563
Azuma K, Ohyama A, Ippoushi K, et al. Structures and antioxidant activity of anthocyanins in many accessions of eggplant and its related species. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(21):10154–9.
Noda Y, Kneyuki T, Igarashi K, et al. Antioxidant activity of nasunin, an anthocyanin in eggplant peels. Toxicology. 2000;148(2–3):119–23.
Sadilova E, Stintzing FC, Carle R. Anthocyanins, color and antioxidant properties of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and violet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) peel extracts. Z Naturforsch C. 2006;61(7–8):527–35.
Singh AP, Luthria DL, Wilson T, et al. Polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity of eggplant pulp. Food Chem. 2009;114(3):955–61.
Lo Scalzo R, Fibiani M, Francese G, et al. Cooking influence on physico-chemical fruit characteristics of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Food Chem. 2016;194:835–42.
Prohens J, Rodríguez-Burruezo A, Raigón MD, Nuez F. Total phenolic concentration and browning susceptibility in a collection of different varietal types and hybrids of eggplant: implications for breeding for higher nutritional quality and reduced browning. J Am Soc Hortic Sci. 2007;132(5):638–46.
Hanson PM, Yang RY, Tsou SC, et al. Diversity in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) for superoxide scavenging activity, total phenolics, and ascorbic acid. J Food Compos Anal. 2006;19(6–7):594–600.
Stommel JR, Whitaker BD. Phenolic composition of eggplant fruit varies with developmental stage. J Am Soc Hortic Sci. 1999;124(6):599–603.
Matsubara K, Kaneyuki T, Miyake T, Mori M. Antiangiogenic activity of nasunin, an antioxidant anthocyanin in eggplant peels. J Agric Food Chem. 2005;53(16):6272–5.
Kaur C, Nagal S, Nishad J, et al. Functional quality in eggplant: anthocyanins, phenolics and antioxidant activity. Int J Food Prop. 2014;17(1):61–77.
Cao G, Sofic E, Prior RL. Antioxidant capacity of tea and common vegetables. J Agric Food Chem. 1996;44(11):3426–31.
Whitaker BD, Stommel JR. Distribution of hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates in fruit of commercial eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars. J Agric Food Chem. 2003;51(11):3448–54.
Plazas M, Andújar I, Vilanova S, et al. Breeding for chlorogenic acid content in eggplant: interest and prospects. Not Bot Horti Agrobo. 2013;41(1):26–35.
Hanson PM, Yang RY, Tsou SCS, et al. Content of carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and related species. J Food Compos Anal. 2006;19(6–7):594–600.
Singh AP, Wilson T, Luthria DL, et al. Polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of eggplant pulp. Food Chem. 2009;114(3):955–61.
Raigón MD, Rodríguez-Burruezo A, Prohens J. Effects of organic and conventional cultivation methods on composition of eggplant fruits. J Agric Food Chem. 2010;58(11):6833–40.
Lo Scalzo R, Fibiani M, Francese G, et al. Cooking effects on antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds in eggplant. Food Chem. 2016;194:835–42.
Concellón A, Añón MC, Chaves AR. Effect of chilling on eggplant fruits: browning and enzymatic activity. Postharvest Biol Technol. 2004;31(3):389–97.
Whitaker BD, Lester GE. Polyamine biosynthesis in ripening eggplant. Phytochemistry. 1989;28(12):3607–12.
Stommel JR, Whitaker BD. Phenolics in eggplant fruit tissue: genetics and breeding strategies. Acta Hortic. 2008;782:437–43.
Noda Y, Kaneyuki T, Mori A, Packer L. Antioxidant activities of nasunin in eggplant. Free Radic Biol Med. 1998;24(7–8):1209–14.
Plazas M, Prohens J, Cuñat AN, et al. Diversity for chlorogenic acid content in eggplant. J Food Compos Anal. 2014;35(1):25–32.
Sadilova E, Stintzing FC, Carle R. Anthocyanin profiles of eggplant cultivars. Eur Food Res Technol. 2006;222(3–4):321–9.
Azuma K, Ohyama A, Ippoushi K, et al. Structures and antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from eggplant peels. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(21):10154–9.
Lo Scalzo R, Fibiani M, Francese G, et al. Anthocyanin profile and antioxidant activity of eggplant cultivars. Food Chem. 2010;119(2):627–33
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
