Nigella sativa for the management of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia

Abstract

AimThis study investigated the effect of neutral lipids of Nigella sativa seed on hyperglycemia and serum lipid status in Nicotinamide/Streptozotocin (N/STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and MethodsExtraction of Nigella sativa oil was carried out using methanol/chloroform extraction. Neutral lipids were obtained by fractionation on silica gel column. Both total oil and neutral lipid fractions were assessed by gas chromatography (GC) for their contents on fatty acids, phytosterols and phytostanols. Triglycerides contents were determined using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector. After N/STZ induction of diabetes in Wistar rats, fractions were administered orally (100mg/kg/day) for 21 days, and blood glucose and lipids levels were assessed. Results and DiscussionNeutral fraction is rich in various bioactive lipids. In diabetic rats group treated with either total oil extract or neutral fraction, blood glucose decreased significantly from 123 mg/dL to 83 mg/dL respectively after only 7 days. Afterwards, blood glucose stabilised to normal levels in both groups from the 15th to 21st day. Similarly, a significant decrease in triglyceride was observed within the first week of treatment with both fractions.In contrast, treatment with both total oil and neutral lipids fractions lead to an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels to 1.19 ± 0.08 g/L and 0.78 ± 0.08g/L respectively at the 7th day with no change in body weight during the hole duration of the experiment. ConclusionNeutral lipids play an important role in stabilising blood lipids and reduce significantly hyperglycaemia in diabetic rats. These findings would suggest them for the treatment of diabetes and dyslipidemia..