Anti-Insulin Resistance Effect of Black Seed (Nigella sativa) Extracts In Metabolic Syndrome Induced-Rats

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of metabolic disorders that includes hypertension, central obesity, insulin resistance, and atherogenicdyslipidemia. It is closely linked to an elevated risk of diabetes and atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In the current study, Nigella sativa (NS) ethanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated for their effect on blood glucose level, insulin resistance and lipid profile in MS induced-rats. Metabolic syndrome were induced by fed rats on a high fat diets supplemented with 1 % cholesterol powder and treated with 10 % fructose added to drinking water for 5 weeks. Twenty-four albino male rats (180 ± 5 g) were divided into four groups: group 1 (normal control) was fed on basal diet, group 2 (positive control) treated with high fat diet and 10 % fructose in drinking water (about 25ml daily per rat).Group 3 and group 4 treated with (NS) ethanolic and aqueous extracts (300 mgkg), respectively, after induction of MS. Levels of glucose, insulin, lipid profile parameters, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) were evaluated. Results revealed that at the end of experiment after eighty five days, in a comparison to positive control, both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of (NS) were recorded a significant increase in a high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level, accompanied by a significant decrease in levels of glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, (ALT), and (AST).There were no histological alterations in the pancreasafter aqueousextract treatment. In conclusion, (NS) could introduce a potential natural therapy against MS.