title: Nigella sativa (black seed) oil does not affect the T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 type cytokine production from splenic mononuclear cells in allergen sensitized mice.
abstract: Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) is known to have beneficial effects on a wide range of diseases including asthma. However, the mechanism of action in asthma and other allergic diseases is not entirely clear. The present study was planned to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa on cytokine production of splenic mononuclear cells in ova-sensitized mice. Nineteen two-month-old BALB/c mice were given 0.3 mL of Nigella sativa oil by oro-eosophageal cannula once a day for a month. The control group consisting of 10 mice took 0.3 mL of 0.9% saline solution by the same route for the same period. In the third week of the study, all mice were sensitized by means of intraperitoneal injections of 20 microg of ovalbumin (OVA-Grade VI, Sigma). Ova injections were repeated three times with 7-day intervals. After another week, all mice were sacrificed by means of cervical dislocation. Then the splenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) of mice were cultured with OVA or Concavalin A (Con-A). From the culture supernatants, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were assessed by means of ELISA. The cytokine production of splenic MNCs of mice that were given Nigella sativa for 30 days was not significantly different than those who took saline solution instead. In conclusion, Nigella sativa oil seems not to have an immunomodulatory effect on Th1 and Th2 cell responsiveness to allergen stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ataköy, 7-8.Kisim Deniz 5/37 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Suna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Büyüköztürk
authors.forename: Asli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gelincik
authors.forename: Ferhan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ozşeker
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Genç
authors.forename: Fatma Oğuz
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Savran
authors.forename: Bayram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.forename: Gaye
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yillar
authors.forename: Sacide
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erden
authors.forename: Filiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Bahattin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Colakoğlu
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dal
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bilir
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism*; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D031844:Nigella / Q000737:chemistry*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010938:Plant Oils; D003208:Concanavalin A; D010047:Ovalbumin; D013936:Thymidine