Anti-hypercholesterolemic and anti-hyperglycaemic effects of conventional and supercritical extracts of black cumin (Nigella sativa)

Objective To explore the hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of conventional and supercritical extracts of black cumin. Methods Purposely, rat modelling was carried out for 2 months by designing three studies i.e. study I (normal rats), study II (hyperglycaemic rats) and study III (hypercholesterolemic rats). Each study was further divided into three groups based on diet i.e. control, functional diet (contained extract of black cumin prepared by using conventional solvent) and nutraceutical diet (contained extract of black cumin prepared by supercritical fluid extraction system). Results During whole trial, an abating trend was observed in the level of serum cholesterol with maximum reduction (12.8%) in nutraceutical group of study III. Low density lipoprotein and triglyceride level was also lowered maximum in study III as 17.1% and 11.6%, respectively. Whereas, highest decline in glucose level was in nutraceutical group of study II as 11.2%. Conclusions Inclusion of black cumin extracts in diet significantly lowers the occurrence of hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Furthermore, hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of nutraceutical diet is more prominent as compared to functional diet.

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