ABSTRACT
The botanical and chemical background of the plant of the genus Nigella [Family - Ranunculaceae] has been described. Many researchers have isolated and identified a variety of compounds such as alkaloids, glycosides, amino acids, fatty acids, essential oil, saponins and sterols. Various constituents of the Nigella sativa and Nigella damascene seeds were found to be pharmacologically active. Antiplaque action of the N. sativa seeds extract against S. mutans, topical use in inhibition of skin carcinogenesis in mice, antitumour activity of the active principle of N. sativa seed, insecticidal activity of acids isolated from N. sativa seeds against insects such as Sitophilus oryzae, Tribolium castaneum, Stegobium paniceum ans Bruchus chinesis have also been reported