Joint pain, loss of mobility, functional impairment… osteoarthritis significantly impairs quality of life. Given the limitations of current management strategies, certain natural solutions have attracted interest, including nigella oil. To what extent can it alleviate arthritic pain? Find out here.
Nigella sativa oil and osteoarthritis: what effect can one expect?
Summary
Published on February 6, 2026, updated on February 6, 2026, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 8 min of reading
Themes:
21.2%
American adults over 18 years of age suffer from diagnosed osteoarthritis.
53.2 million
Some Americans aged 18 or over suffer from diagnosed osteoarthritis.
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Does Nigella sativa oil exert any effect on osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterised by a progressive deterioration of cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends of bones. As this cartilage thins and cracks, the joint loses its shock-absorbing capacity, resulting in mechanical pain, stiffness, reduced mobility and sometimes joint deformities. Contrary to a long-standing belief, osteoarthritis does not arise solely from age-related wear and tear. Multiple factors contribute to its development. In addition to ageing, excess weight, repetitive mechanical stress, joint injuries, certain anatomical anomalies, and genetic predispositions all play a significant role.
From a pathophysiological perspective, osteoarthritis is accompanied by low-grade chronic inflammation and a oxidative stress of significant magnitude, which disrupts the balance between cartilage synthesis and degradation.
The Nigella oil is sometimes regarded as a natural solution to alleviating osteoarthritis-related joint pain, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These effects are largely attributed to thymoquinone, its main bioactive compound. Mechanistically, thymoquinone can inhibit the activation of pro-inflammatory signalling pathways such as NF-κB, leading to a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators involved in pain and joint degradation. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties allow it to limit the formation of free radicals, unstable molecules that accelerate cartilage deterioration.
By reducing both low-grade chronic inflammation and oxidative damage, black seed oil could be beneficial in cases of osteoarthritis.
Several studies have relied on animal models to explore the effects of nigella oil on joint inflammation and pain. One study thus focused on the preventive efficacy of black cumin oil in a model of polyarthritis induced in the rat by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), a well-established experimental model for reproducing chronic joint inflammation. Nigella oil was administered orally for 25 days at two different doses (0.91 and 1.82 mL/kg), compared with a group treated with indomethacin, a reference non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The results show that nigella oil significantly reduces joint oedema, arthritis scores and certain pain-related behavioural alterations. Biologically, a decrease in systemic inflammatory markers, notably interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, was also observed.
Effect of Nigella sativa oil on the percentage inhibition of arthritis in rats.
Source: GABBIANELLI R. & al. Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and anti-nociceptive activities of Nigella sativa oil in a rat model of arthritis. Antioxidants (2019).
The protective effect was dose-dependent, with the highest dose preventing the development of arthritis by approximately 56%. However, efficacy remained lower than that of indomethacin, indicating a genuine yet moderate anti-inflammatory effect.
These experimental data were subsequently supplemented by several clinical studies conducted in patients experiencing joint pain. The results of the main available clinical studies are summarised in the table below.
| Study | Number of volunteers | Form of nigella used | Study duration | Results | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENAWY & al. (2011) | 40 women with rheumatoid arthritis | Nigella sativa oil in capsules (2 × 500 mg per day) | 1 month of placebo + 1 month of nigella | Significant reduction in the disease activity score (DAS-28). Reduction in the number of swollen joints and in the duration of morning stiffness. Clinical response was observed in 42.5% of patients according to the ACR20 criterion (a 20% reduction in the number of swollen or painful joints). | Non-randomised study without a control group. Study population comprised exclusively of women. Study focused on rheumatoid arthritis rather than osteoarthritis. Effect evaluated only in the short term. |
| HADI & al. (2016) | 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis | Nigella sativa oil in capsules (2 × 500 mg per day) | 8 weeks | Significant increase in IL-10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine). Decrease in oxidative stress, reflected by a reduction in MDA (a biomarker used to estimate lipid peroxidation). | Study conducted on rheumatoid arthritis rather than osteoarthritis. No direct clinical criteria (pain, stiffness, joint function). Modest sample size and limited duration. |
| KIANBAKHT & al. (2022) | 116 patients with knee osteoarthritis | Nigella sativa oil administered orally (2.5 mL every 8 hours) | 1 month | Significant reductions in pain (–34%) and symptom severity (–28%) compared with placebo. Reduced paracetamol consumption and improved patient satisfaction. No adverse effects reported. | Short duration (one month). Only one site studied (the knee). High dosage not easily translatable to routine use. No long-term follow-up on osteoarthritis progression. |
Summary of clinical data on Nigella sativa oil in cases of joint pain.
Nigella oil thus appears to be of interest in cases of joint pain, particularly owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties attributed to thymoquinone. Experimental animal data demonstrate a reduction in inflammation and pain, while several clinical trials suggest a modest but genuine benefit on pain and joint function, especially in knee osteoarthritis. These results allow for considering black cumin seed oil for joint pain as a potential adjunct, without, however, regarding it as an alternative to validated medical treatments. Indeed, the studies remain heterogeneous, often of short duration and using high dosages, which limits their extrapolation to routine use.
In this context, black cumin seed oil for knee pain may be considered in certain patients as part of a supervised, individualised approach, alongside recommended measures (tailored physical activity, weight management, symptomatic treatments), and subject to the advice of a healthcare professional.
Sources
KENAWY S. A. & al. Effectiveness of Nigella sativa oil in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients: A placebo controlled study. Phytotherapy Research (2011).
HADI V. & al. Effects of Nigella sativa oil extract on inflammatory cytokine response and oxidative stress status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Phytomedicine (2016).
GABBIANELLI R. & al. Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and anti-nociceptive activities of Nigella sativa oil in a rat model of arthritis. Antioxidants (2019).
KIANBAKHT S. & al. Efficacy and safety of oral Nigella sativa oil for symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2022).
SETH P. & al. Prevalence of diagnosed arthritis — United States, 2019–2021. Morbidity and Mortality (2023).
