Recent advances on Nigella sativa – A promising herb: Antihypertensive properties, thimoquinone nanoformulations, and health applications

Abstract

Cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke, vascular disease, and heart failure are made more likely to occur by hypertension. Hypertension doesn't typically present with symptoms until it has progressed, but it can cause serious, lifelong health problems. The cost of and potential side effects from antihypertensive drugs are concerns. As a result, in the current environment, it is essential to investigate the therapeutic potential of herbal medications with minimal side effects. It is well known that Nigella sativa and its active components, including thymoquinone, thymol, and nigericin, are potential phytomedicines with anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, calcium channel blocker, and diuretic properties that significantly lower blood pressure. This review covers the pharmacological effects, chemical composition, and antihypertensive qualities of N. sativa, with an emphasis on the health benefits and nanoformulations of thimoquinone. Moreover, a variety of nanotechnological formulations are employed to encapsulate thymoquinone. This review further provided the effectiveness of nanoparticles in lowering blood pressure and suggests combining them with N. sativa or thymoquinone to increase their antihypertensive effects.This study concluded the potential of N. sativa as a antihypertensive agent. Thimoquinone, a major component in N. sativa is extensively studied and nanofromulated bioactive compound that can be used in many agri-food-pharma industries.