Nigella sativa; Diabetes-2; Glycemic control; Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C); Postprandial Glucose Test (PPBS)

Introduction

Nigella sativa is a small plant originating in the Middle East and is found abundantly, growing wild in Egypt, Asiatic Turkey, and the Balkan states. N. sativa has tapering green leaves and rosaceous white, yellow, pink, pale blue or purplish flowers with 5-10 petals. The ripe fruit (capsule: 3-7 united follicles) contains numerous tiny seeds, dark black in color. The seed and oil of N. sativa was frequently used in ancient remedies (Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese and Arabic) in Asian countries and in the Middle-East [1]. The use of N. sativa seeds had been mentioned by Ibne-Sina (980–1037) in his famous book al-Qanun fit-Tibb [2]. Traditionally N. sativa is used as a medicament of a variety of disorders in the respiratory system, digestive tract, Cardiovascular System (CVS), kidney, liver, and immune system [3,4]. Its uses in fatigue and dispiritedness are antique. The most common traditional uses belong to the ailments, including asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism and related inflammatory diseases, indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dropsy, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, worms and skin eruptions. It is also used as antiseptic and local anesthetic [5-9].

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Material and Methods

Study design A cross-over, double-blind, and randomized clinical trial was conducted in 10 type 2 diabetic patients of both sexes with age group of 20-65 years old in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the diet was supplied for a period of two months.

Preparation of paratha

The N. sativa (black seed) was purchased from a local market. After several grinding and screening of seeds, the powder of black seed was delivered to a local Paratha Maker in Jeddah City. Each Paratha include 10 gram of powder of black seed (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Preparation of Paratha.

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Results and Discussion

Among the 10 patients with type-2 Diabetes who were included in this study. Postprandial glucose test of patients are summarized in Table 1. Number of men and women were 05 and 05, respectively. Glycated hemoglobin of patients is represented in Table 2. Studies carried out as before and after the intervention of the diet [10-14].

Table 1: Postprandial glucose test (PPBS).

Table 2: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

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Conclusion

Nigella sativa can be used as add on drug therapy in patients with poor glycemic control. Nigella sativa is safe and effective remedy. It is observed that it has ability to reduce the PPBs and Hb1Ac N. Sativa has the potential to be used as a natural adjuvant to oral glucose lowering drugs in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. As NS is a very low cost herb, therefore the potential cost benefit ratio will be in favor of benefit. Further clinical trials are recommended to move forward in this promising area of research.

References

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