Abstract

Nigella sativa Lin. (family- Ranunculaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant globally and popular in various Indigenous system of medicines. The seeds are used as astringent, stimulant, diuretics and anthelmintic traditionally. They are also useful for treating jaundice, intermittent fever, dyspepsia, paralysis, piles and skin disorders. The ethanolic extracts of N. sativa (seeds) were tested against four standard bacteria, that is, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and against two standard fungi species, that is,. Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans using the agar plate diffusion method. The ethanolic extracts of N. sativa (seeds) exhibited inhibitory effects against most of the tested organisms with the zone of inhibition ranging from 18 to 32 mm in length. The largest inhibition zone in the case of bacteria was obtained for against bacteria E. coli (32 mm) while in case of fungi highest inhibition was observed against Apergillus niger (25 mm). Thus, it can be concluded from the present study that N. sativa possess both antibacterial as well as antifungal activity.

Key words: In vitro, antimicrobial activity, Nigella sativa (seeds), Sudan.