The purpose of this research was to determine if Nigella sativa (NS) seed extracts have antibacterial properties. In male mice infected intraperitoneally with 0.1 mL of Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli suspensions (Standard McFarland tube No.0.5), the aqueous (AE) and methanol (ME) extracts of  NS seed were compared to gentamycin (positive control) and normal saline (negative control). After 24 hours, the infected mice were given varying doses of AE and ME. After 24 hours, a sample of the intraperitoneal fluid that had been aspirated was cultured on a nutrient agar plate. In mice infected with S. aureus and E. coli, the methanol extract of Nigella sativa showed more antibacterial activity than its aqueous extract, especially against gram-negative bacteria. Nigella sativa seed extracts have shown antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria; however this action is dose-dependent.

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