RESUMO
Nigella sativa oil was administered to rats before [group II or after [group III] intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin [STZ]. The fasting serum glucose and insulin levels were estimated and compared with a non diabetic control group [group I] and another diabetic positive control group [group IV] which did not receive nigella either before or after injection of STZ. Histopathological examination of the pancreas was done after sacrification of rate. The results showed that prior administration of Nigella before STZ injection partially protected the B-cells of rats against STZ diabetes. However administration of Nigella after induction of STZ diabetes showed non significant change in serum glucose and insulin levels when compared to the diabetic positive control