title: Clinical evaluation of Nigella sativa seeds for the treatment of hyperlipidemia: a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natural products are proved to play a good role as an alternative to synthetic chemicals in many clinical conditions. Hypercholesterolemia is the most important risk factor for atherosclerosis. Previous studies showed that Nigella sativa L. has both antioxidant and lipid lowering potentials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of the seeds of Nigella sativa on the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial which was conducted in Isfahan city (Iran), 88 subjects aged > or =18 years with a total cholesterol concentration >200 mg/dl were included. According to the patients" profiles number, they were randomized to receive either N. sativa capsules or the matching placebo. Each N sativa capsule contained 500 +/- 10 mg N. sativa crushed seeds, and patients had to take 2 g N. sativa per day for 4 weeks. Fasting baseline laboratory values (fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglyceride) were obtained for all parameters on each subject prior to the start of the study and at the end of 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our study a significant decrease was observed in the concentration of total cholesterol (4.78%), Low density lipoprotein (7.6%) and Triglyceride (16.65%), and this decrease was more significant for TG concentration. N. sativa had not any beneficial effects on Fasting blood sugar and High density lipoprotein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of our present study it seems that N. sativa may have some beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, further investigations with a larger sample size are necessary.
authors: Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. sabzghaba@pharm.mui.ac.ir
authors: Ali Mohammad
authors: AM
authors: Sabzghabaee
authors: Mehrnoush
authors: M
authors: Dianatkhah
authors: Nizal
authors: N
authors: Sarrafzadegan
authors: Sedigheh
authors: S
authors: Asgary
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Ghannadi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D031844:Nigella; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D008055:Lipids; D028321:Plant Preparations