@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2015;20(4):243-248

Background
… [1-7] Nigella Sativa L. from Ranunculaceae family is a medicinal herb used widely for medication purposes. Thymoquinone (with maximum medication activity), dithymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, and thymol are the main effective materials of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella Sativa L. The seed of Nigella Sativa L. includes lipid, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates [8].
Previous Studies
Blood sugar reduction, lipid and blood pressure increases, and anti-inflammation, anti-histamine, anti-microbial, and anti-parasite effects are some medication effects of the extract of the seed of Nigella Sativa L. and it reinforces the immune system and protects different body tissues [9].
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella Sativa L. on blood biochemical parameters in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.
Research type
This is an intervention study.
Research society, place and time
250-300gr Wistar male rats (Animal House; Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran) were studied in 2013-14.
Sampling method and number
60 rats were studied.
Used devices&materials
The animals were randomly divided into six 10-sample groups including “Control (C)”, “Diabetes (D)”, “Receiving 100mg/kg Extract (E100)”, “Receiving 200mg/kg Extract (E200)”, “Receiving 400mg/kg Extract (E400)”, and “Positive Control (M)”. The animals were kept at standard conditions at 22±2°C and 12-hour light-darkness cycle and in the animal room. Hydro-alcoholic extract was produced, using maceration method. Control group received saline daily and during 6 weeks from the beginning of the study. 60mg/kg single dose of streptozotcin (Sigma; Germany) were administrated as intra-peritoneal [10]. If glucose level was higher than 250mg/dl during 48 hours after injection, the group received saline daily and as gavage for 6 weeks during the remaining of the study. The extract groups received the determined doses of the extract as gavage from the onset of diabetes for 6 weeks. Positive control group received 300mg/kg metformin (Samen; Iran) daily and as gavage from the onset of diabetes for 6 weeks. In all groups, blood taking was done on the ocular sinus on the onset day (day zero) and 24th and 45th days after the beginning of the study and following 12-hour fasting. Glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL were measured by a kit (Pars Azmoon; Iran). Glucose level measured again at the 3rd day. Data was analyzed, using SPSS 16 software. One-way ANOVA (to compare the biochemical parameters of blood), Tukey Post-hoc (to compare glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL levels in the groups), and Paired-T test (to compare HDL concentration at day 45 with day zero) were used. … [11]
Findings by Text
During the experiment, there was a significant increase in the blood glucose level in diabetic group than control group. In the diabetic groups treated with metformin and extract of Nigella Sativa L. it decreased from day 3 to day 45. Reduction in the blood sugar level in the diabetic group receiving 200mg/kg of extract of Nigella Sativa L. was significantly more than other treatment groups (Diagram 1). There was a significant increase in the blood cholesterol concentration in the diabetic group than control group at days 24 and 45. There was a significant reduction in the blood cholesterol concentration in the diabetic groups treated by metformin and extract of Nigella Sativa L. gradually from day 24 to day 45 than diabetic group. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between the treated groups (Diagram 2). There was a significant increase in the blood triglyceride concentration in diabetic group than control group at days 24 and 45. There was a gradual reduction in triglyceride concentration in the diabetic groups treated with metformin and extract of Nigella Sativa L. from day 24 to day 45, and maximum and minimum reductions were in metformin group and group receiving 100 doses of the extract (Diagram 3). There was no significant difference in HDL concentration in the groups. There was a significant reduction in HDL concentration in diabetic group at day 45 than day zero (Diagram 4). There was a gradual increase in LDL concentration in diabetic group. In addition, there was a significant increase at day 45 than control group. There was a significant reduction in LDL concentration in the diabetic groups treated by metformin and extract of Nigella Sativa L. at day 45 than diabetic group (Diagram 5).
Main comparison to the similar studies
There was a reduction in blood glucose level in the diabetic groups treated by metformin and extract of Nigella Sativa L. gradually from day 3 to day 45. And there was more reduction in blood glucose level in diabetic group receiving 200mg/kg extract of Nigella Sativa L. than other treated groups. Administration of Nigella Sativa L. for the diabetic animals reduces blood glucose [12, 13]. … [14-25] The extract of Nigella Sativa L. reduced blood LDL, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels after 6 weeks. There was a lesser reduction in blood HDL level than diabetic group, and it approximately stopped at the doses 200 and 400. Maximum reduction in LDL/HDL was in 400 extract group among other treated diabetic groups. Oral administration of the extract of Nigella Sativa L. for the diabetic rats results in a natural blood glucose, and it significantly reduces plasma lipid level, while it increases plasma insulin level compared with untreated diabetic group [26]. After 8 weeks, there are significant reductions in cholesterol and LDL levels and an increase in HDL in hyperlipidemia rabbits due to Nigella Sativa L. compared with positive control group [27]. 225mg/kg doses of extract of Nigella Sativa L. significantly affect glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol [28]. There is an increase in HDL level in insulin resistance syndrome and reductions in fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and LDL levels due to Nigella Sativa L. [29]. There were significant reductions in cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels in the diabetic rats due to metformin, while it had no effect on HDL level. Despite significant reductions in cholesterol and LDL levels due to metformin in diabetes, it has had no significant effect on triglyceride and HDL [30].
Suggestions
Treatment duration should be investigated.
Limitations
There was no limitation.
Conclusions
The extract of Nigella Sativa L. reduces plasma LDL, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the diabetic rats.
Acknowledgments
Research Deputy of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and the staff of Medicinal Plants Research Center of Medicine Faculty are appreciated.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
Medical Ethics Committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences confirmed the study.
Funding Sources
Deputy of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences funded the study.  

TABLES and CHARTS

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