Abstract
INTRODUCTION
 Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease worldwide. Nigella sativa also known as black cumin, is an emerging miracle herb with a rich historical and religious background. In the present study, we have attempted to study the hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa on diabetes-induced rats.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS
 This preclinical study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology from August to October 2019. In this study, hyperglycemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5). Animals were divided into five groups containing normal control, negative control, standard, test-1, and test-2. The aqueous extract of Nigella sativa was administered 400 and 800 mg/kg per oral in both the test groups for 18 days. Blood glucose level was measured at three-days interval by glucometer. Oral glucose tolerance test was done by administrating 2 gm/kg per oral glucose and the blood glucose was recorded every two-hours interval for eight hours.
 RESULTS
 An oral glucose tolerance test showed a decrease in blood glucose level at the dose of 400 and 800 mg/kg compared to the negative control group. The administration of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa for 18 days showed significant decrease in blood glucose level (p=0.001) compared to negative control group. The blood glucose level in test 1 (400 mg/kg) was significantly reduced compared to the standard group (p***<0.001). The blood glucose level in test 2 at 18th day was less significant (p*< 0.05) compared with standard group and test 1 (p**<0.01, p***<0.001).
 CONCLUSION
 The findings of the present study indicate that the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa has significant hypoglycemic effect in Wistar rats.
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