Comparative study on the activities of Nigella sativa (black Seed) oil and Vitellaria paradoxa (shea nut) oil against Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract

The oils produced from Nigella sativa seeds (black cumin) and Vitellaria paradoxa nuts (shea nuts) are known folklore remedies for treatment of various health conditions, including the treatment of microbial infections. The microbe Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found in healthy human skin but can also be infection-inducing microorganisms upon overgrowth, capable of disrupting the homeostasis of the microbiome. Treatment with antibiotics has led some of these microbes to evolve antibiotic-resistant strains. Cold pressed oils from these two plants were tested for activity against S. aureus. Concentrations of 0.5g/ml, 1g/ml and 2g/ml were put in agar wells in media where the bacteria had been inoculated. However, no activity was observed for both of the oils against S. aureus. The reasons implied for the observation included the extraction method used, the levels of bioactive components as well as the factor of biogeography. As per the results of the study, both N. sativa oil and V. paradoxa oil do not have activity against S. aureus and their use for this specific purpose requires more investigation, since studies in other geographic areas have shown them to have effects on the bacteria.