Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of seed oil of Nigella sativa L (NSO).
 Methods: Nigella sativa seed oil (NSO) was extracted with Soxhlet apparatus using petroleum ether, and was given orally at a dose of 2.5 ml/kg body weight to alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits daily for 24 days. Biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and plasma glucose were determined in the treatment and control groups. Furthermore, bilirubin, vitamin C, catalase and mean body weight were assessed.
 Results: NSO treatment significantly lowered serum blood glucose levels and lipid contents, but increased the mean body weight, HDL-C and vitamin C levels of diabetic rabbits (p < 0.001). Moreover, NSO significantly decreased catalase activity, TC, TGs, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels, but normalized bilirubin levels in diabetic rabbits.
 Conclusion: These results indicate that NSO possesses significant antidiabetic potential. Thus, it may be useful as an adjunct with antidiabetic medication but further studies are required to ascertain this.
 Keywords: Black cumin, Diabetes, Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic, Antioxidants
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease associated with severe complications
An increase in plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) content was found in alloxan + Nigella sativa seed oil (NSO) treatment group from day 12 (24.48 %) to day 24 (66.66 %)
It was seen in the current study that the body weight of diabetic rabbits was decreased gradually till the start of treatment, and blood glucose level increased due to insufficient production of insulin
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease associated with severe complications. It is a prominent cause of illness and mortality throughout the world. In Pakistan, Nigella sativa (black cumin or black seed) is locally called kalonji seed (Ranunculaceae). Three days after alloxan injection, diabetes was confirmed through increased levels of serum glucose (hyperglycemia). Nigella sativa oil was administered orally to the rabbits at a dose of 2.5 mL/kg body weight [14] daily for 24 days. The blood samples were collected in heparin vials to determine plasma lipid profile and antioxidant levels. The solvent was evaporated from the extract using rotary apparatus, resulting in Nigella sativa seed oil (NSO). Fifteen male rabbits (mean weight = 1 kg) were purchased from University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (VUAS), Pakistan.
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