Effect of Nigella Sativa (Black seed) on the serum lipids of healthy individuals.

Abstract

Black seed (Nigella Sativa) is a common dietary element and has bean traditionally used as a treatment for a variety of health complains over centuries. Dyslipidaemia is an important and common medical problem. Objective: To assess the effect of N. sativa on the serum lipids of normal individuals.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Domain of the College of Medicine and IbnSina Teaching Hospital. Patients and methods: 10 healthy volunteers (8 males and 2 females) received 750 mg of powdered grains of Nigella sativa enclosed in a capsule twice daily for 28 days. Their fasting lipid profile, including triglycerides, total, LDL and HDL cholesterol were measured, before and after treatment. Results: Serum triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol decreased significantly after treatment with Nigella sativa, P. value <0.0001. While HDL cholesterol increased significantly, P. value <0.0001.

Conclusion: N. sativa exerts a favorable effect on lipid profile of healthy individual.