Nigella sativa [prophetic medicine]: a review

The present report is a significant effort to explore detail description of N. Sativa, its pharmacognostic characteristics, morphological characteristics, and mechanism of actions, doses and medicinal uses. Nigella sativa [N. Sativa] is greatest form of healing medicine. It is also known as Prophetic Medicine as its use has been mentioned in Prophetic Hadit, as natural remedy for all the diseases except death. It is recommended on daily basis in Tibb-e-Nabwi [Prophetic Medicine]. Hazrat Abu Hurairah States ''I have heard from Rasool Allah [PBUH] that there is cure for every disease in black seeds except death and black seeds are shooneeze''. Salim Bin Abdullah narrates with reference to his father Hazrat Abdullah Bin Omar that Rasool Allah [PBUH] said, 'Let all the black seed upon you, these contain cure of all diseases except death'. N. sativa claimed to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepato-protective, neuro-protective, gastro-protective and other useful properties. Biological and pharmacological effects are attributed to its two important constituents Thymoquinone [TQ] and Nigella sativa oil [NSO]. TQ has interaction with human serum albumin. Seeds containing volatile oils mainly Melanthin showed toxicity at larger doses. This report is a reference for all pharmaceutical researchers, physicians and biologists researching on N.Sativa and will open a door towards novel agent

Valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity and protective role of carnitine

Valproic acid [valproate; VPA] is a first line drug for use in epilepsy. Often the handicapped/ epileptic children are undernourished in developing countries. Valproic acid reduces serum carnitine which is an essential cofactor in transport of long chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Low serum carnitine and malnourishment can cause fatty infiltration and hepatotoxicity leading to a Reye-like syndrome and/or fulminant hepatic failure. In an experimental study on rats treated with therapeutic/toxic doses of valproic acid supplemented by carnitine, we have found that valproic acid alone caused fatty infiltration and necrosis of the liver while carnitine supplementation prevented these events. It is suggested that valproic acid therapy be supplemented with canitine in epileptic patients and liver function profile must be regularly monitored in these patients. Adequate intake of carnitine must be ensured in growing infants and children