title: A review of Neuropharmacology Effects of Nigella sativa and Its Main Component, Thymoquinone.
abstract: Neuropharmacology is the scientific study of drug effect on nervous system. In the last few years, different natural plants and their active constituents have been used in neurological therapy. The availability, lower price, and less toxic effects of herbal medicines compared with synthetic agents make them as simple and excellent choice in the treatment of nervous diseases. Nigella sativa, which belongs to the botanical family of Ranunculaceae, is a widely used medicinal plant all over the world. In traditional and modern medicines several beneficial properties have been attributed to N. sativa and its main component, thymoquinone (TQ). In this review, various studies in scientific databases regarding the neuropharmacological aspects of N. sativa and TQ have been introduced. Results of these studies showed that N. sativa and TQ have several properties including anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-ischemic, analgesic, antipsychotic, and memory enhancer. Furthermore, its protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and multiple sclerosis have been discussed. Although there are many studies indicating the beneficial actions of this plant in nervous system, the number of research projects relating to the human reports is rare. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants and Natural Product Research Center, School of Medicine, Bojnurd University of Medical Science, Bojnurd, Iran.
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Javidi
authors.affiliation: Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Bibi Marjan
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Razavi
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosseinzadeh
mesh_terms: D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D009480:Neuropharmacology / Q000379:methods*; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D016227:Benzoquinones; D010936:Plant Extracts; C003466:thymoquinone
keywords: Nigella sativa; nervous system; neuropharmacology; thymoquinone