Dermaceutical Utilization of Nigella sativa Seeds: Applications and Opportunities.

Skin diseases have recently become a major concern among people of all ages due to their highly visible symptoms and persistent and difficult treatment, which significantly impact their quality of life. Nigella sativa seeds, also known as "black seeds" or "kalonji," are one of the most commonly used herbal medicines due to their wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. It contains a wide range of bioactive constituents found in both fixed and essential oils. It has been used for hundreds of years as an alternative ethnomedicine to treat a wide range of skin conditions. N. sativa's dermatological applications in skin diseases are attributed to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, making it an intriguing skincare candidate. Several studies unravelled positive results associated with N. sativa on skin diseases. As N. sativa is the most studied medicinal plant, several preclinical and clinical studies have been conducted to establish its use in the treatment of various skin diseases. Thymoquinone has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, which mainly contributed to the treatment of skin diseases. In this context, the present review explores all the available studies on the association of N. sativa and its effect on treating skin diseases in light of recent studies and patents supporting its therapeutic applications.

Neurobehavioral and Biochemical Evidences in Support of Protective Effect of Marrubiin (Furan Labdane Diterpene) from Marrubium vulgare Linn. and Its Extracts after Traumatic Brain Injury in Experimental Mice.

Traumatic brain injuries due to sudden accidents cause major physical and mental health problems and are one of the main reasons behind the mortality and disability of patients. Research on alternate natural sources could be a boon for the rehabilitation of poor TBI patients. The literature indicates the Marrubium vulgare Linn. and its secondary metabolite marrubiin (furan labdane diterpene) possess various pharmacological properties such as vasorelaxant, calcium channel blocker, antioxidant, and antiedematogenic activities. Hence, in the present research, both marrubiin and hydroalcoholic extracts of the plant were evaluated for their neuroprotective effect after TBI. The neurological severity score and oxidative stress parameters are significantly altered by the test samples. Moreover, the neurotransmitter analysis indicated a significant change in GABA and glutamate. The histopathological study also supported the observed results. The improved neuroprotective potential of the extract could be attributed to the presence of a large number of secondary metabolites including marrubiin.