Preliminary Study to Evaluate the Health Benefits of Natural(Crude) versus Commercial black seed oil in Sample of Healthy volunteers

Doa’a Anwar Ibrahim*
Department of Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Sana’a, Yemen

Abstract
Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae), commonly known as black seed or black cumin, are used in folk (herbal) medicine all over the world for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases.Black seed is recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (SWS): The beard hair of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). “Hold on to the use of the black seed for indeed it has a remedy for every disease except death.” This study is aimed to compare between natural (crude) versus commercial black seed oil through measuring some parameters: liver function enzymes (SGOT and SGPT), CBC as well as FBS.Methodology: 20 healthy volunteers were divided randomly to 3 groups (I, II and III). Group I (n=8) was allowed to take natural (crude) black seed oil (2 teaspoonful/d), Group II (n=8) was allowed to take commercial ANSO-SYP black seed oil (Nigoil) (2 teaspoonful/d), group III (n=6) was kept as placebo only taken (2 teaspoonful/d of sun flower oil) for two weeks. Washout period was done for all groups for two weeks. Cross over between group I and II was done in this part, where group I (n=8) was allowed to take natural (crude) black seed oil (2 teaspoonful/d), group II (n=8) was allowed to take commercial ANSO3 PhenomenalÒsoft gelatin capsule (2 capsules/d), group III (n=6) was kept as placebo only taken (2 teaspoonful/d of sun flower oil) for two weeks.Blood sample was taken before (baseline) starting this study and at the end of study. The following parameters were measured complete blood count CBC hepatic function enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) and fasting blood sugar. Results: commercial black seed oil especially(soft gelatin capsule) showed significant increase (p<0.05) fasting blood sugar as compared with natural (crude) black seed oil and placebo, while natural oil showed reduction in FBS.Conclusion: commercial black seed oil especially soft gelatin capsule showed significant increase in fasting blood sugar. This may referred to the presence of impurities.
Key words: Natural(crude) black seed; Commercial black seed; Liver function enzymes; Complete blood count; Fasting blood sugar.