title: Nigella sativa L. seeds modulate mood, anxiety and cognition in healthy adolescent males.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies conducted on animals linked consumption of Nigella sativa L. seeds (NS) to decreased anxiety and improved memory. The present study, which was carried out at a boarding school in Bangladesh, was designed to examine probable effect of NS on mood, anxiety and cognition in adolescent human males.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight healthy adolescent human males aged between 14 to 17 years were randomly recruited as volunteers and were randomly split into two groups: A (n=24) and B (n=24). The treatment procedure for group A and B were one capsule of 500 mg placebo and 500 mg NS respectively once daily for four weeks. All the volunteers were assessed for cognition with modified California verbal learning test-II (CVLT-II), mood with Bond-Lader scale and anxiety with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at the beginning and after four weeks of either NS or placebo ingestion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No parameter showed statistically significant variation between A and B in measurements in the beginning, but after 4 weeks of one capsule of NS 500 mg intake, there was statistically significant variation of mood within group B but there was not statistically significant variation between group A and B. No significant variation was found in state anxiety within groups and between group A and B but in case of trait anxiety, significant variation was found within group B but not between group A and B. In case of CVLT II, there was significant variation within B in immediate short-term recall at trial 4 and 5 whereas this difference was found only in case of trial 5 between group A and B. Within group B, short term-free recall, long-term free recall and long-term cued recall had statistical difference whereas between group A and B long-term free recall and long-term cued recall had statistical difference. No parameters had significant variation within group A after placebo intake for 4 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over the 4 weeks study period, the use of NS as a nutritional supplement been observed to- stabilize mood, decrease anxiety and modulate cognition positively. However, long term study is suggested before using NS extensively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh. Electronic address: shahdaat2013@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahdaat
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bin Sayeed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Tahiatul
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shams
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Sarder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fahim Hossain
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Rezowanur
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Agm
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mostofa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fahim Kadir
authors.affiliation: Institute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Sharif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asaduzzaman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D001459:Bangladesh; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: Adolescents; Bond–Lader scale; Clinical Trial; Modified California verbal learning test-II; Nigella sativa L. seeds; State–Trait Anxiety Inventory