The effect of Nigella sativa oils on hyper lipidemia in the human.

Abstract

One of the most important cause of death , all over , the world is ischemic heart diseases & C.V.A.. The major  factor in the pathology of these two diseases is atherosclerosis, in which , diabetes , hypertension & hyper lipidemia play an evident roles in its causes^{(1)(2) .}

For these very important  reasons, scientists try their best to dissolve this problem ; once they try to reduce hyper lipidemia (all types of lipid) through regulation of diet , others try to use medications with or without diet regulation ⁽³⁾. However, medications used (for example statins ,nicotinic acid , lopid , tricor etc ……)have limited effects in reducing lipid level ,since it needs long time , can not be used in all conditions, besides, they are not free of risks as a side effects .

Therefore , in the last decades , scientists turned their attention toward using  harmless herbs since, these herbs posses pharmacological principles. Besides , traditionally these herbs are widely utilized to improve human health through curing numerous diseases. Example for these herbs are fenugreek & nigella sativa^(4)(5)(6) .

According to the world Healt Organization (WHO) reports, 70-80%, of the people over the world , have a great confidence in traditional medical herb for primary health cure. For these reasons , 30% of all modern drugs are derived from plants⁽⁷⁾ .

One of these important plants that play a big role as medication is Nigella sativa mainly its dried seeds⁽⁸⁾.

Nigella sativa is an annual herbaceous plant from Ranunculaceae family producing small black seeds, which have characteristic aromatic odor & taste⁽⁹⁾.

Besides, its uses as a spices & condiment , it is one of important plants seeds that was used as a traditional medicine as a galactagogue , carminative , laxative besides their anti – parasitic properties⁽¹⁰⁾ . Recently , animal studies have shown that extract of N.sativa have many therapeutic effects such as gastrotection, anti malignant effect⁽¹¹⁾ , & anti oxidant⁽¹²⁾.

The black seeds have different constituents such mucilage , crude fiber , alkaloid , sugar resins , saponins & proteins⁽⁸⁾. Besides , they have high content of unsaturated fatty acids⁽¹³⁾.

One of these medical uses of N.sativa seeds is treatment of hyper lipidemia⁽⁴⁾.

Many scientist used the crude crushed N.Sativa seeds,  orally , in the treatment of the hyper lipidemia . This treatment had been used in experimental animals⁽¹⁴⁾ & in human being⁽¹⁵⁾.

However the active ingredient , in N. Sativa seeds , is still obscure , besides , the mode of action is unknown.