Potential immunomodulation effect of the extract of Nigella sativa on ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs

Abstract

Several different pharmacological effects have been described for Nigella sativa (Siah-Daneh), including an anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, the effect of the extract of N. sativa on lung pathology and blood interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) of sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Three groups (n=8 for each group) of guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone, and drinking water containing low and high concentrations of the plant extract, respectively. The animals of the control group (n=8) were treated with saline instead of OA and were given drinking water. The pathological changes of the lung, including infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes, local epithelial necrosis, the presence of oedema, thickening of the basement membrane, smooth muscle layer hypertrophy, mucosal secretion, and the presence of mucosal plug, and blood IL-4 and IFN-γ of sensitized guinea pigs were evaluated. The lungs of the sensitized group showed significant pathological changes (P<0.001). Blood IL-4 and IFN-γ were increased in sensitized animals compared to the controls (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Treatment of sensitized animals with the extract led to a significant decrease in pathological changes of the lung (P<0.01 to P<0.001), except for the oedema in the sensitized group treated with low concentration of the extract, but an increased IFN-γ. These results confirm a preventive effect of N. sativa extract on lung inflammation of sensitized guinea pigs.

A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

“…Treatment of sensitized animals with the extract of N. sativa led to a significant decrease in pathological changes of the lung, except for the oedema in the sensitized group treated with low concentration of the extract, but an increased IFN-γ. These results confirm a preventive effect of N. sativa extract on lung inflammation of sensitized guinea pigs [77] . To determine the possible alleviating effect of N. sativa and TQ on food allergy, ovalbumin (OVA) -sensitized BALB/c-mice were pretreated either with a hexanic N. sativa seed extract TQ and subsequently challenged intra-gastrically with OVA.…”

The Effect of Black Cumin Supplementation on the Level of Interferon-γ in Multibacillary Leprosy Patient under MDT-WHO Therapy

“…Black cumin has potential effects on cellular immunity, as well as having a suppressive effect on B cell-mediated humoral immunity. A study by Boskabady et al (2011) on the immunomodulating effect of black cumin on albumin sensitized guinea pigs showed an increased IFNγ and decreased IL-10, which indicates that black cumin has an inhibitory effect on Th2 cell and its cytokines and an stimulating effect on Th1 cell and its cytokines [15].…”

“…Black cumin (Latin: Nigella sativa, English: black cumin / black seed; Arabic: el-habat-el-sauda; Indian: kalonji) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which is popular as a medicinal plant [15,16]. One important benefit of black cumin is immunomodulation.…”

The Inhibitory Effects of Ferula assafoetida on Muscarinic Receptors of Guinea-Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle

“…Each piece containing two to three cartilaginous rings, which was cut open opposite the tracheal muscle, and sutured together to form a tracheal chain (24). The tissue was suspended in a 10 mL organ bath (organ bath 61300, Bio Science Palmer-Washington, Sheerness, Kent U.K.) containing Krebs-Henseleit solution (25).…”