The effect of dietary supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seeds) mediates immunological function in male Wistar rats

Nutrient utilization, growth performance, and antioxidative status of Barki lambs fed diets supplemented with black (Nigella sativa) and rocket (Eruca sativa) seeds

The current study aimed to determine the polyphenol compounds in Nigella sativa (NS) and Eruca sativa (ES) seeds, and evaluate the impact of their addition either as a sole additive or in combination on the growth performance, digestibility, some rumen and blood parameters and antioxidative status of Barki lambs. Forty-eight male lambs (27.18 ± 0.22 kg, 5-6 months), were divided into 4 balanced groups. The experimental diets were randomly distributed to the control group (CON); fed alfalfa hay plus concentrate feed mixture at a ratio of 30:70% without additives, while, NSD, ESD, and NESD groups: fed CON diet plus 2% NS, 2% ES or 1% NS + 1% ES, respectively as a ratio from total mixed ration (TMR). Results indicated that rutin and catechin were the most phenolic compounds observed either in NS or ES seeds. The NS and ES-supplemented groups recorded the highest (P < 0.05) values for dry matter digestibility, nutritive values, average daily gain, and the best feed conversion ratio. However, growth performance, nutritive value, and all nutrient digestibility except for dry matter were not significantly altered with the NESD group. Concentrations of ruminal NH3-N and TVFA were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with the NESD group, with no significant differences in pH values among different groups. Values of blood parameters showed significant increases in WBCs, PCV, and T-AOC, and decreases in cholesterol, triglycerides, and MDA with the addition of NS and ES seeds or both. Therefore, the addition of NS and ES seeds is recommended to improve lambs' health and antioxidant status.

Evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activities and molecular docking of Moringa oleifera seed oil extract against experimental model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in Swiss female albino mice

The current research intended to evaluate the antitumor properties of Moringa oleifera oil extract (MOE). Fifty-six female Swiss albino mice were employed in this study. Animals were assigned into four groups: control (C) group, moringa oil extract (MOE) group administered (500 mg/kg b. wt) MOE daily via gavage, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) group and EAC group administered daily with (500 mg/kg b.wt) MOE for two weeks (EAC/MOE). The results showed that MOE significantly ameliorated the EAC increase in body weight and reduced the EAC cell viability. In addition, they upgraded the levels of hepatic and renal functions, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers and EAC-induced hepatic and renal histopathological changes. Treatment of EAC with MOE induced antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and normalized most of the tested parameters besides the histopathological alterations in both renal and hepatic tissues. HPLC for the MOE identified Cinnamic acid, Ellagic acid, Quercetin, Gallic acid, Vanillin and Hesperidin as major compounds. The molecular docking study highlighted the virtual binding of the identified compounds inside the GSH and SOD proteins, especially for Quercetin which exhibited promising binding affinity with good interactive binding mode with the key amino acids. These results demonstrate that the antitumor constituents of MOE against EAC induced oxidative stress and inflammation by preventing oxidative damage and controlling EAC increase.

Effect of lactoferrin supplement on cadmium chloride induced toxicity to male rats: Toxicopathological, ultrastructural and immunological studies

This study sought to determine whether lactoferrin supplementation could counteract the harm that cadmium (Cd) induced to the rats. The effect of Cd and lactoferrin were investigated in hematological, biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical expression and ultrastructural studies. After 30 days of treatment, rats exposed to Cd had significantly higher levels of Cd in their blood, more oxidized lipids, and less antioxidant capacity overall. Supplemental lactoferrin also significantly undoes that effect. Hematological and biochemical parameters changed along with the increase in blood Cd levels. The histological integrity of the liver, kidney, spleen, and (axillary, cervical, mesenteric and popliteal) lymph nodes that had been damaged by Cd exposure was also restored by lactoferrin supplementation. Moreover, the liver and spleen ultrastructure showed the same improvement. In addition, the spleen of Lf/Cd group showed less immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in comparison to the Cd group. In conclusion, the current study showed that supplementing with lactoferrin improved immune response and restored biochemical and oxidative stability induced by Cd.

Green-synthesized nanoparticles of the polyherbal extract attenuate the necrosis of pancreatic β-cell in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic model

Plant-based nanoformulation is one of the novel approaches for therapeutic benefits. This research synthesized a silver nanoparticle from the polyherbal combination of four plants/seeds (Momordica charantia, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella sativa, and Ocimum sanctum) and investigated its antidiabetic effects in streptozotocin-induced Wistar albino rat model. The polyherbal extract (PH) was extracted by the Soxhlet-solvent extraction method and the resulting crude extract was undergone for silver nanoparticle synthesis. The PH extract was subjected to a four-week intervention in fructose-fed streptozotocin-induced Wistar Albino rats' models and in vitro antioxidative tests. Experimental animals (age: 6-7 weeks, male, body weight: 200-220 g), were divided into five groups including normal control (NC), reference control (RC), diabetic control (DC), and treatment groups PH200, PH100, and PHAgNP20. After three weeks of intervention, body weight, weekly blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance test, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, urea, and creatinine level of PH200 were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) improved compared to the diabetic control. The same dose demonstrated better regeneration of damaged pancreatic and kidney tissues. In vitro antioxidant assay manifested promising IC50 values of 86.17 μg/mL for DPPH, 711.04 μg/mL for superoxide free radical, and 0.48 mg/mL for Iron chelating activity of the polyherbal extract. GC-MS analysis impacted the major volatile compounds of the PH. The data demonstrate that the PH and its nanoparticles could be a novel source of antidiabetic therapeutics through an advanced dose-response study in the type 2 diabetic model.

A proprietary black cumin oil extract (Nigella sativa) (BlaQmax®) modulates stress-sleep-immunity axis safely: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Objective

Stress, sleep, and immunity are important interdependent factors that play critical roles in the maintenance of health. It has been established that stress can affect sleep, and the quality and duration of sleep significantly impact immunity. However, single drugs capable of targeting these factors are limited because of their multi-targeting mechanisms. The present study investigated the influence of a proprietary thymoquinone-rich black cumin oil extract (BCO-5) in modulating stress, sleep, and immunity.

Methods

A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study was carried out on healthy volunteers with self-reported non-refreshing sleep issues (n = 72), followed by supplementation with BCO-5/placebo at 200  mg/day for 90  days. Validated questionnaires, PSQI and PSS, were employed for monitoring sleep and stress respectively, along with the measurement of cortisol and melatonin levels. Immunity markers were analyzed at the end of the study.

Results

In the BCO-5 group, 70% of the participants reported satisfaction with their sleep pattern on day 7 and 79% on day 14. Additionally, both inter- and intra- group analyses of the total PSQI scores and component scores (sleep latency, duration, efficiency, quality, and daytime dysfunction) on days 45 and 90 showed the effectiveness of BCO-5 in the improvement of sleep (p < 0.05). PSS-14 analysis revealed a significant reduction in stress, upon both intra (p < 0.001) and inter-group (p < 0.001) comparisons. The observed reduction in stress among the BCO-5 group, with respect to the placebo, was significant with an effect size of 1.19 by the end of the study (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between improved sleep and reduced stress as evident from PSQI and PSS. Furthermore, there was a significant modulation in melatonin, cortisol, and orexin levels. Hematological/immunological parameters further revealed the immunomodulatory effects of BCO-5.

Conclusion

BCO-5 significantly modulated the stress-sleep-immunity axis with no side effects and restored restful sleep.

Magnetite-Based Nanostructured Coatings Functionalized with Nigella sativa and Dicloxacillin for Improved Wound Dressings

In this study, we report the performance improvement of wound dressings by covering them with magnetite-based nanostructured coatings. The magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were functionalized with Nigella sativa (N. sativa) powder/essential oil and dicloxacillin and were synthesized as coatings by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The expected effects of this combination of materials are: (i) to reduce microbial contamination, and (ii) to promote rapid wound healing. The crystalline nature of core/shell Fe₃O₄ NPs and coatings was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) have been coupled to investigate the stability and thermal degradation of core/shell nanoparticle components. The coatings' morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The distribution of chemical elements and functional groups in the resulting coatings was evidenced by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. In order to simulate the interaction between wound dressings and epithelial tissues and to evaluate the drug release in time, the samples were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and investigated after different durations of time. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated in planktonic (free-floating) and attached (biofilms) bacteria models. The biocompatibility and regenerative properties of the nanostructured coatings were evaluated in vitro, at cellular, biochemical, and the molecular level. The obtained results show that magnetite-based nanostructured coatings functionalized with N. sativa and dicloxacillin are biocompatible and show an enhanced antimicrobial effect against Gram positive and Gram negative opportunistic bacteria.

Nigella sativa Extract Potentially Inhibited Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Induced Infection in Rabbits: Potential Immunomodulatory and Growth Promoting Properties

Simple Summary

The high incidence of stress-associated diseases post rabbit weaning results in great losses threatening the rabbit industry. The increasing emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes life threatening infections worldwide. Thus, the necessity to look inward for natural alternative treatments is now compelling. In this perspective, Nigella sativa extract (NSE) could serve as an effective antibiotic alternate source against MRSA. Herein, NSE was found to possess iin vitro antimicrobial activities against MRSA clinical isolates. Moreover, the synergistic activity between NSE and other antimicrobials was employed to overcome the MRSA resistance. Our findings added new insights for application of NSE in diets of growing rabbits as a growth promoting and an immunostimulant agent, which in turn reduced the high risk associated MRSA infections in growing rabbits.

Abstract

Weaning is the most crucial period associated with increased stress and susceptibility to diseases in rabbits. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a historic emergent pathogen related to post weaning stressors, adversely affects rabbit’s growth rate and productive cycle. Since MRSA is rapidly evolving antibiotics resistance, natural products are desperately required to tackle the public health threats posed by antimicrobial resistance. Thus, this study aimed to screen the iin vitro antibacterial activity of Nigella sativa extract (NSE) and its interactions with antibiotics against MRSA isolates. Moreover, 200 weaned rabbits were divided into 4 groups to investigate the iin vivo superiority of NSE graded levels towards growth performance, tight junction integrity, immune responsiveness and resistance against MRSA. Herein, NSE showed promising antimicrobial activities against MRSA isolates from animal (77.8%) and human (64.3%) origins. Additionally, MRSA isolates exposed to NSE became sensitive to all antimicrobials to which they were previously resistant. Our results described that the growth-promoting functions of NSE, especially at higher levels, were supported by elevated activities of digestive linked enzymes. Post-NSE feeding, rabbits’ sera mediated bactericidal activities against MRSA. Notably, upregulated expression of occludin, CLDN-1, MUC-2 and JAM-2 genes was noted post NSE supplementation with maximum transcriptional levels in 500 mg/kg NSE fed group. Our data described that NSE constitutively motivated rabbits’ immune responses and protected them against MRSA-induced experimental infection. Our results suggest the antimicrobial, growth stimulating and immunomodulation activities of NSE to maximize the capability of rabbits for disease response.

Nigella sativa L. Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Review (2019-2021)

Medicinal and aromatic plants are mainly characterized by the presence of different bioactive compounds which exhibit various therapeutic activities. In order to investigate the different pharmacological properties of different Nigella sativa extracts, a multitude of research articles published in the period between 2019 and 2021 were obtained from different databases (Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Web of Science), and then explored and analyzed. The analysis of the collected articles allows us to classify the phytochemicals and the pharmacological activities through their underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as to explore the pharmacological activities exhibited by several identified compounds in Nigella sativa which allow a better understanding, and better elucidation, of the bioactive compounds responsible for the pharmacological effects. Also shown are the existence of other bioactive compounds that are still unexplored and could be of great interest. This review could be taken as a guide for future studies in the field.