A randomised controlled trial on hypolipidemic effects of Nigella Sativa seeds powder in menopausal women

Abstract

BackgroundThe risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increased tremendously among menopausal women, and there is an increasing demand for alternative therapies for managing factors like dyslipidemia that contribute to CVD development.MethodsIn this study, Nigella sativa was evaluated for its hypolipidemic effects among menopausal women. In a randomised trial, hyperlipidemic menopausal women were assigned to treatment (n = 19) or placebo groups (n = 18), and given N. sativa or placebo for two months after their informed consents were sought. At baseline, blood samples were taken and at one month intervals thereafter until one month after the end of the study.ResultsThe results showed that N. sativa significantly improved lipid profiles of menopausal women (decreased total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride, and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol) more than the placebo treatment over 2 months of intervention. One month after cessation of treatment, the lipid profiles in the N. sativa-treated group tended to change towards the pretreatment levels.ConclusionsN. sativa is thought to have multiple mechanisms of action and is cost-effective. Therefore, it could be used by menopausal women to remedy hypercholesterolemia, with likely more benefits than with single pharmacological agents that may cause side effects. The use of N. sativa as an alternative therapy for hypercholesterolemia could have profound impact on the management of CVD among menopausal women especially in countries where it is readily available.

Effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on human lipids: systematic review

“…Lipid profiles constitute one of the most important factors that can be changed in many diseases and are used to evaluate conditions of the patients and subjects (Mohtashami and Entezari, 2016). In our review, Nigella sativa supplement can change lipid profiles significantly in different conditions (Heshmati et al, 2015;Ibrahim et al, 2014;Qibi et al, 2006;Najmi et al, 2012;Tasawar et al, 2011;Kaatabi et al, 2012;Najmi et al, 2008;Bhatii et al, 2009;Sabzghabaee et al, 2012;Datau et al, 2010;Qidwai W et al, 2009;Dehkordi FR et al, 2008;Bamosa et al, 1997;Ahmed et al, 2012).…”

“…The treatment group showed significant improvement with reference to total xcholestrol, low density lipoprotein, (LDL All studies were clinical trials and have been conducted on different patients and subjects (Heshmati et al, 2015;Ibrahim et al, 2014;Qibi et al, 2006;Najmi et al, 2012;Tasawar et al, 2011;Kaatabi et al, 2012;Najmi et al, 2008;Bhatii et al, 2009;Sabzghabaee et al, 2012;Datau et al, 2010;Qidwai et al, 2009;Dehkordi et al, 2008;Bamosa et al, 1997;Ahmed et al, 2012). Information of these studies is summarized in the table 2.…”

“…The total number of subjects in these trials was 738 from different conditions and diseases as hyperlipidemia in diabetic patients (Heshmati et al, 2015;Kaatabi et al, 2012;Ahmed et al, 2012), menopausal women (Ibrahim et al, 2014), metabolic syndrome (Najmi et al, 2012;Najmi et al, 2008) and coronary heart disease (Tasawar et al, 2011). The duration of the trials was between 2 weeks-3 months.…”

“…These mentioned studies indicated positive effects of NS on lipid profile, but differences in dose and type of NS, dietary intake, physical activity level, baseline lipid profile, duration of intervention, type of disease, ethnicity and genotype may lead to different results. In another trial the hypolipidemic effects of N. sativa was studied in menopausal women as part of the increasing drive to provide better insights into the effects of plant bioresources on health, and their potential use for therapy of chronic diseases (Ibrahim et al, 2014). Also, increasing numbers of women are thought to use complementary medicines for disorders associated with their menopause, and studies like these could provide evidence-based rationale for their choice of plant bioresources (Ibrahim et al, 2014).…”

“…In another trial the hypolipidemic effects of N. sativa was studied in menopausal women as part of the increasing drive to provide better insights into the effects of plant bioresources on health, and their potential use for therapy of chronic diseases (Ibrahim et al, 2014). Also, increasing numbers of women are thought to use complementary medicines for disorders associated with their menopause, and studies like these could provide evidence-based rationale for their choice of plant bioresources (Ibrahim et al, 2014). Specifically, about 75% of women were reported to be using herbal and complementary medicines in their menopausal period in place of hormone replacement therapy due to considerations on its side effects (Ibrahim et al, 2014;Tong IL, 2013).…”