Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activity of Nigella sativa Aqueous and Oil Extracts

Nigella sativa is recognized as a black seed. It is a grassy plant relating to the Ranunculaceae family. There are various reports regarding this plant's pharmacological and biological action, like antihypertensive effects, antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidants, antifungal, pain alleviating, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and immune-modulatory effects. This study aimed to compare the anti-microbial activity of aqueous and oil extract of Nigella sativa against selected gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Nigella sativa aqueous and oil extracts were gathered via a retail food shop (Al-Hilla) 2018. Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pneumonia; Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhi; Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas aeroginosa) isolates (obtained via clinical specimens) were utilized.

Both Nigella sativa aqueous and oil extracts showed a maximum inhibition zone against E. coli and minimum inhibition against S. pyogenes.

Nigella sativa acts against gram-positive as well as gram-negative bacterial isolates.