The effect of oral administration of Nigella sativa L. seeds and oil on some blood parameters

A comparative study was carried about the effects of two weeks daily ingestion of 2 g of Nigella sativa L. seeds cultivated in Jordan and the equiv. amt. of the formulated oil prepd. by surface solid dispersion method on the blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, high d. lipoprotein (HDL)​, and other parameters such as: creatinine, prolactin, creatine kinase (CK) activities and RBCs, WBCs, platelets, Hb, and clotting time.  The study was carried on male pharmacy students volunteers of an av. age of 22 yr.  Ten students each administered two capsules contg. 500 mg Nigella sativa crushed seeds twice daily (group I) and another group of ten students (group II) received one capsule contg. an equiv. amt. of the oil twice daily for two weeks.  Blood samples were taken from each student one week before administration, one week and two weeks after administration.  Both crushed seeds and the oil produced a significant decrease in blood glucose, cholesterol, and creatinine level, meanwhile there was an increase in high d. lipoprotein.  The oil produced a significant lowering effect on prolactin level (P < 0.05) while the crushed seeds exhibited a significant increase in clotting time (P < 0.01) after one week and continued for two weeks of administration.  Insignificant effects were obsd. on RBCs, WBCs, platelets, Hb and creatine kinase activity.  The phytochem. screening of the dried powd. seeds was done and the physicochem. consts. of the oil were detd.  Column chromatog. of unsaponifiable matter results in the isolation of β-​sitosterol and oleanolic acid as the main constituents.