Overview of the preclinical pharmacological properties of Nigella sativa (black seeds): a complementary drug with historical and clinical significance.

Nigella sativa (N. sativa, black seeds; or sometimes known by many other names such as the blessed seed by the Arabs, black cumin in the Holy Bible, black caraway and Kalonji in South Asia) has been traditionally used for many years not only as a food but also as complementary drug. It is the objective of this communication to review the evidence-based pre-clinical pharmacological actions of N.

Cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicity of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors in man.

It is well established that the use of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the vulnerability of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa for the development of peptic lesions and serious ulcer complications. In addition, selective and traditional NSAIDs have also been associated with increased frequency of cardiovascular toxicity, especially in susceptible patients. The objective of this communication is to provide an overview of the salient GI and cardiovascular (CV) toxicity for these drugs.

Prostaglandins and brain-gut axis.

Prostaglandins (PGs) have well documented physiological and pharmacological actions on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This communication reviews the evidence for peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) physiological actions of PGs in order to determine their role in the brain-gut axis, if any. PGs are widely distributed in nearly all cells peripherally and centrally.

Statins, platelet aggregation and coronary heart disease.

It is becoming increasingly recognized that the beneficial effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-Co-A) reductase inhibitors (statins) on reducing clinically important cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and stroke) are not only attributable to their hypocholesterolemic effect but also to non-lipid mechanisms of action. The nonlipid factors may include the stabilization of arterial plaques, endothelial normalization, anti-inflammatory effects and inhibition of platelet thrombus formation. The inhibition of platelet thrombus formation has not been adequately studied in man and the results are often contradictory.