PHARMACOGNOSTIC STANDARDIZATION, PHYSICO AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF NIGELLA SATIVA LINN. SEED

Context: Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) is native to southwest Asia. This tree species has been of interest to researchers because it has a long history of folklore usage in various systems of medicines.

Objective: Pharmacognostic Standardization, Physico and Phytochemical Evaluation of the seeds of N. sativa were carried out to determine its macro-and microscopical characters and also some of its quantitative standards.

Materials and Methods: Microscopical studies were done by using trinocular microscope. Total ash, water-soluble ash and acid-insoluble ash values; Alcohol-and water-soluble extractive values were determined for physico-chemical evaluations. Preliminary phytochemical screening was also done to detect different phytoconstituents.

Results and Discussion: Microscopically, seed showed epidermis with parenchymatous cells, papillae and reddish brown pigmented layer of cells; endosperm with starch grains, oil globules and embryo. Total ash was approximately, 32 (thirty two) and 3 (three) times more than acid insoluble and water soluble ash, respectively. Water soluble extractive was approximately 1 times more than Ethanol soluble extractive. T.L.C. of Petroleum-ether extract using Benzene: Ethyl acetate (6:1), showed five spots. In the chloroform extract, using Benzene: Ethyl acetate (4:1), five spots and in ethanol extract, using Chloroform: Methanol (93:7), six spots were observed using Iodine vapor as a viewing medium. Phytochemically, seed exhibited alkaloids, glycosides, steroids and sugars.

Conclusion: These findings might be useful to supplement information in regard to its identification parameters assumed significantly in the way of acceptability of herbal drugs in present scenario lacking regulatory laws to control quality of herbal drugs