title: Effect of Nigella sativa fixed and essential oils on antioxidant status, hepatic enzymes, and immunity in streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nigella sativa fixed (NSFO) and essential (NSEO) oils have been used to treat diabetes mellitus and its complications. Present study was undertaken to explore and validate these folkloric uses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sprague dawley rats having streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus were used to assess the role of NSFO and NSEO in the management of diabetes complications. Parameters investigated were antioxidant potential, oxidative stress, and the immunity by in vivo experiments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that STZ decreased the glutathione contents (25.72%), while NSFO and NSEO increased the trait significantly (P < 0.05). Experimental diets increased the tocopherol contents (P < 0.01) and enhanced the expression of hepatic enzymes (P < 0.01). Correlation matrix further indicated that antioxidant potential is positively associated (P < 0.05) responsible for the modulation of hepatic enzymes and the decrease of the nitric oxide production thus controlling the diabetes complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, results of present study supported the traditional use of N. sativa and its derived products as a treatment for hyperglycemia and allied abnormalities. Moreover, N. sativa fixed and essential oils significantly ameliorate free radicals and improve antioxidant capacity thus reducing the risk of diabetic complications.
authors.forename: Muhammad Tauseef
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: Masood Sadiq
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Roselina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karim
authors.forename: Shahzad Zafar
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Shakeel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zia-Ul-Haq
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aliberti
authors.forename: Atif Nisar
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. defeo@unisa.it.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Feo
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000097:blood; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000975:Antioxidants; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009195:Peroxidase; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase; D005978:Glutathione; D024505:Tocopherols