*4.10.1 Nigella sativa L.*

 *N. sativa* is a small herb of about 45 cm long with linear-lanceolate leaves and a pale blue flower. It is used as a food and medicine frequently to treat a variety of health conditions pertaining to the respiratory system, digestive tract, kidney and liver functions, cardiovascular system, and immune system support, as well as for general well-being [104] and as a galactagogue [105].

Phytochemical analysis has revealed the presence of nigelline, nigellicine, nigelimine, nigellimine-*N*-oxide, avenasterol-5-ene, avanasterol-7-ene, campesterol, cholesterol, citrostadienol, cycloeucalenol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmastanol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, obstafoliol [105]. This plant is reported to have anti-cancer, antimicrobial, analgesic, antipyretic, contraceptive and anti-fertility, anti-oxytocic, anti-tussive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant potentials. Anti-cancer activity has been demonstrated for blood, breast, colon, pancreatic, liver, lung, fibrosarcoma, prostate, and cervix cancer cell lines and in animal models as well [106–109]. Toxicological studies showed no toxic effect in rodents [105].
