The effect of dietary supplementation of Nigella sativa (black seeds) on cell mediated immunological function of male Wistar rats

Abstract

This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of dietary Nigella sativa on cell mediated immune response. A total of eighteen male Wistar rats were divided equally into control and black seeds at 30 and 50 g/kg/diet (Sa30 and Sa50), respectively for 30 days. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), cell mediated immune response was monitored after injection of 0.1 mL of 10% phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Intumesce Index, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Catalase (CAT), Interleukin-12 (IL-12), gamma interferon (γ-IF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of splenic caspase-3 and CD 8 were done. Nigella sativa significantly (p<0.05) improved weight gain and FCR in Sa30 and Sa50 groups. Significant increase for Intumesce Index in Sa50 group was observed. Total TAC, CAT, IL-12, γ-IF and TNF-αincreased significantly (P<0.05) in Sa30 and Sa50 groups. Histological examination of PHA stimulated foot pads showed more leukocytes infiltration and edema in a dose dependent pattern. Splenic caspase-3 and CD 8 showed significant (P<0.05) decrease and increase, respectively in Sa30 and Sa50 groups. Nigella sativa seeds had immunostimulatory ability through their antioxidant potential, cytokines induction, CD 8 promotion and reducing splenic apoptosis.