Nigella sativa fixed and essential oil improves antioxidant status through modulation of antioxidant enzymes and immunity

The onset of 21[st] century witnessed the awareness among the masses regarding the diet-health linkages. The researchers attempted to explore traditional products/plants were in the domain of pharmacy and nutrition focussing on their health benefits. In the present research intervention, we investigate the role of Nigella sativa fixed oil [NSFO] and essential oil [NSEO] in improving antioxidant status and modulation of enzymes. The National Institute of Health [NIH] provided us 30 Sprague Dawley rats that were equally placed in three groups. The groups were fed on their respective diets [56 days] two experimental diets i.e. D[2] [NSFO @ 4.0%] and D[3] [NSEO @ 0.30%] and control. The indices pertaining to antioxidant status, antioxidant enzymes, and parameters pertaining to immunity were evaluated at 4 weeks interval. The experimental diets [NSFO@ 4.0% and NSEO@ 0.30%] modulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes i.e., catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione transferase [GST], glutathione reductase [GR] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx], positively. Indices of antioxidant status like tocopherols and glutathione were in linear relationship with that of GPx, GR and GST [P<0.01]. Myeloperoxidase activities were in negative correlation with GST [P<0.01] but positive correlation with some other parameters. In the nutshell, the fixed and essential oil of Nigella sativa are effective in improving the indices pertaining to antioxidant status, however, the immune boosting potential needs further clarification. However, authors are of the view that there is need to explore the molecular targets of Nigella sativa fixed and essential oils. Findings from such studies would be useful to validate this instant study for health promoting potential against diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders

Supplementation of Nigella sativa fixed and essential oil mediates potassium bromate induced oxidative stress and multiple organ toxicity

The plants and their functional ingredients hold potential to cure various maladies and number of plants hold therapeutic potential. The present research was designed study the health promoting potential of black cumin [Nigella sativa] fixed oil [BCFO] and essential oil [BCEO] against oxidative stress with special reference to multiple organ toxicity. For the purpose, thirty rats [Strain: Sprague Dawley] were procured and divided into three groups [10 rats/group]. The groups were fed on their respective diets i.e. D[1] [control], D[2] [BCFO @ 4.0%] and D[3] [BCEO @ 0.30%] for a period of 56 days. Mild oxidative stress was induced with the help of potassium bromate injection @ 45 mg/Kg body weight. Furthermore, the levels of cardiac and liver enzymes were assayed. The results indicated that oxidative stress increased the activities of cardiac and liver enzymes. However, supplementation of BCFO and BCEO was effective in reducing the abnormal values of enzymes. Elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], CPK and CPKMB were reduced from 456 to 231, 176 to 122 and 45 to 36 mg/dL, respectively. Similarly, liver enzymes were also reduced. However, the results revealed that BCEO supplementation @ 0.30% is more effectual in ameliorating the multiple organ toxicity in oxidative stressed animal modelling. In the nutshell, it can be assumed that black cumin essential oil is more effective in reducing the extent of potassium bromate induced multiple organ toxicity [cardiac and liver enzymes imbalance] that will ultimately helpful in reducing the extent of myocardial and liver necrosis