Immunomodulatory Effect of Nigella sativa Oil on T Lymphocytes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
Abundant evidence indicates the involvement of CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD4(+)CD25(+) T lymphocytes in the induction and/or protection of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of Nigella sativa (NS) oil on the selected T cell subset percentage in females with RA.


METHODS
A randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled, 2 months, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted. Forty-three female patients (20-50 years) with mild to moderate RA were recruited and assigned into NS (n = 23) and placebo (n = 20) groups to receive one gram of NS oil, or starch, capsule in two divided doses, respectively. The disease activity scores of 28 joints (DAS28) were calculated and percentages of CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells were examined using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Treatment with NS led to significant reduction of the serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and DAS-28 score and an improved number of swollen joints compared with baseline and placebo groups. A relatively comparable CD4(+) T cell percentage was observed in the NS and placebo groups either in baseline or the end of study. The treatment also resulted in reduced CD8(+), and increased CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell percentage and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio as compared to placebo and baseline. A negative significant correlation between changes in CD8(+) and changes in CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells and a positive significant correlation between changes in CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells and changes in the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was observed in the NS group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study gives strength to the potential relevance of NS in clinical management of RA through modulation of T lymphocytes.
a Department of Nutrition , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
Sorayya
S
Kheirouri
a Department of Nutrition , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
Vahid
V
Hadi
a Department of Nutrition , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
Mohammad
M
Alizadeh
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000276:immunology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult; D029974:Carum
D010938:Plant Oils; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C104525:caraway oil
Disease activity; Nigella sativa; T lymphocytes; rheumatoid arthritis