title: Efficiency of black cumin seeds on hematological factors in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypercholesterolemia is among the most common health problems treated with traditional remedies. Nigella sativa (NS) is an effective plant for treating hypercholesterolemia. However, the effects of this herb on hematologic factors and hemostasis system have not been elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the effects of NS on these factors in both normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this research, twenty rabbits were randomly distributed into four groups of five. The groups received four different diets, namely normal, normal + NS (5%), hypercholesterolemic (1% cholesterol), and hypercholesterolemic (1% cholesterol) + NS (5%), for 8 weeks. After this period, WBC (white blood cell), RBC (red blood cell), HTC (hematocrit), HGB (hemoglobin content), PLT (platelet), fibrinogen (FIB) and factors VII (F VII) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using NS significantly increased PLT count in the normal group. In addition, it significantly decreased WBC counts in the hypercholesterolemic group (P < 0.05). However, dietary use of NS did not have any effects on other hematologic factors including RBC, HTC, HGB, FIB, and F VII (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased PLT numbers might cause enhanced coagulation. The achieved results call for more research on the effects of various diets (hypercholesterolemic and normal diet) supplemented with NS on different coagulation factors and hemostasis system.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asgary
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghannadi
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dashti
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Helalat