such as sunflower seeds, fenugreek, coriander and fennel that have less than 100 mg/
g (Manchester et al. 2000; Iriti and Faoro 2006). Melatonin is a known immunomodulator, and its presence in B. nigra seeds further ascertains its role as an agent
with the ability to enhance the immune system (Manchester et al. 2000).
8.6.5 Anti-inflammatory Effects
Proteins and enzymes play an essential role in inflammation and other functions of
the immune system. Proteolytic enzymes such as bromelain, papain, trypsin and
chymotrypsin are important regulators and modulators of the inflammatory response
in the body (Alam et al. 2011). Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism can be
reduced by treatment with B. nigra plants while simultaneously reducing congestion
among internal organs (Alam et al. 2011; Obi et al. 2009). The whole plant –
including seeds – has been traditionally used for neuralgia, spasms, alopecia,
epilepsy, snakebite and toothache (Alam et al. 2011; Markose et al. 2016). Moreover, sinigrin in B. nigra has the ability to act against atherosclerosis, a recognized
chronic inflammatory disease (Mazumder et al. 2016).
Studies have revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of B. nigra is initiated
by protease inhibition. Flavonoids (gallic acid, followed by quercetin, ferulic acid,
caffeic acid and rutin) in B. nigra have been demonstrated to inhibit trypsin as well
as act as an anti-inflammatory agent (Alam et al. 2011). The anti-inflammatory
activity of B. nigra also depends on the presence of sinigrin which is able to prevent
the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression as well
as NOD-like receptors (NLRP-3) and p65, thereby lowering the production of
pro-inflammatory mediators (Mazumder et al. 2016). In addition, B. nigra extract
has been able to demonstrate a membrane stabilization effect, while many sesquiterpenes found in the B. nigra seed extract are known to possess anti-inflammatory
properties. The presence of terpenoids is another reason for its demonstrated antiinflammatory activity, and this compound was revealed to be present in both seeds
and leaf of B. nigra (Rajamurugan et al. 2012b).
8.6.6 Antioxidant Activity
Antioxidants prevent deleterious physiological effects imparted by free radicals by
acting as electron donors, thereby neutralizing the radicals as well as quenching
singlet and triplet Oxygen (Alam et al. 2011; Radhakrishnan et al. 2014; Diengdoh
2017). Glucosinolate breakdown products present in B. nigra seeds such as allyl
isothiocyanate, goitrin and thiocyanate ion act as naturally occurring antioxidants.
Also, the breakdown products enhance the synthesis of glutathione, the most
abundant intracellular antioxidant found in B. nigra (Jahangir et al. 2009). Some
of the phenolic compounds with known antioxidant properties reported to be found
8 Mustard (Brassica nigra) Seed
199
g (Manchester et al. 2000; Iriti and Faoro 2006). Melatonin is a known immunomodulator, and its presence in B. nigra seeds further ascertains its role as an agent
with the ability to enhance the immune system (Manchester et al. 2000).
8.6.5 Anti-inflammatory Effects
Proteins and enzymes play an essential role in inflammation and other functions of
the immune system. Proteolytic enzymes such as bromelain, papain, trypsin and
chymotrypsin are important regulators and modulators of the inflammatory response
in the body (Alam et al. 2011). Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism can be
reduced by treatment with B. nigra plants while simultaneously reducing congestion
among internal organs (Alam et al. 2011; Obi et al. 2009). The whole plant –
including seeds – has been traditionally used for neuralgia, spasms, alopecia,
epilepsy, snakebite and toothache (Alam et al. 2011; Markose et al. 2016). Moreover, sinigrin in B. nigra has the ability to act against atherosclerosis, a recognized
chronic inflammatory disease (Mazumder et al. 2016).
Studies have revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of B. nigra is initiated
by protease inhibition. Flavonoids (gallic acid, followed by quercetin, ferulic acid,
caffeic acid and rutin) in B. nigra have been demonstrated to inhibit trypsin as well
as act as an anti-inflammatory agent (Alam et al. 2011). The anti-inflammatory
activity of B. nigra also depends on the presence of sinigrin which is able to prevent
the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression as well
as NOD-like receptors (NLRP-3) and p65, thereby lowering the production of
pro-inflammatory mediators (Mazumder et al. 2016). In addition, B. nigra extract
has been able to demonstrate a membrane stabilization effect, while many sesquiterpenes found in the B. nigra seed extract are known to possess anti-inflammatory
properties. The presence of terpenoids is another reason for its demonstrated antiinflammatory activity, and this compound was revealed to be present in both seeds
and leaf of B. nigra (Rajamurugan et al. 2012b).
8.6.6 Antioxidant Activity
Antioxidants prevent deleterious physiological effects imparted by free radicals by
acting as electron donors, thereby neutralizing the radicals as well as quenching
singlet and triplet Oxygen (Alam et al. 2011; Radhakrishnan et al. 2014; Diengdoh
2017). Glucosinolate breakdown products present in B. nigra seeds such as allyl
isothiocyanate, goitrin and thiocyanate ion act as naturally occurring antioxidants.
Also, the breakdown products enhance the synthesis of glutathione, the most
abundant intracellular antioxidant found in B. nigra (Jahangir et al. 2009). Some
of the phenolic compounds with known antioxidant properties reported to be found
8 Mustard (Brassica nigra) Seed
199