Dr. Weeks’ Comment: Statin drugs are given out like candy by most doctors despite the science not supporting this (except that rather than lowering cholesterol they help by being a weak anti-inflammatory agent) and despite the fact that inflammation is the appropriate target in heart disease, not cholesterol. As inflammation is the target, and as most NSAID or over the counter supplements are highly toxic, we are grateful to learn of the powerful anti-inflammatory benefits of black cumin seed, black raspberry seed and Chardonnay grape seed. But how do these seeds address dyslipidemia (bad lipids)?
Let’s look carefully at the science:
“…We conclude that black seed may have beneficial effects in treating dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease…”
“… This study suggests that the evaluated combination was effective in correction of dyslipidemia…”
“…The both extracts especially, ME significantly improve cardiovascular risk parameters in treated rats, and can be used in reactive oxygen species disorders such as cardiovascular diseases…”
“…NS supplementation at a dose of 2 g/day for 12 weeks may improve the dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, NS is a potential protective natural agent against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in these patients…”
Pharm Biol. 2014 Sep;52(9):1119-27. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2013.879187. Epub 2014 Mar 17.
Induction of apolipoprotein A-I gene expression by blackseed (Nigella sativa) extracts.
Haas MJ1, Onstead-Haas LM, Naem E, Wong NC, Mooradian AD.
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Abstract
CONTEXT:
Black seed [Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae)] has been shown in animal models to lower serum cholesterol levels.
OBJECTIVES:
In order to determine if extracts from black seed have any effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL), we characterized the effects of black seed extract on apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) gene expression, the primary protein component of HDL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Hepatocytes (HepG2) and intestinal cells (Caco-2) were treated with black seed extracts, and Apo A-I, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and retinoid-x-receptor α (RXRα) were measured by Western blot analysis. Apo A-I mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and apo A-I gene transcription was measured by transient transfection of apo A-I reporter plasmids.
RESULTS:
Extracts from black seeds significantly increased hepatic and intestinal apo A-I secretion, as well as apo A-I mRNA and gene promoter activity. This effect required a PPARα binding site in the apo A-I gene promoter. Treatment of the extract with either heat or trypsin had no effect on its ability to induce apo A-I secretion. Treatment with black seed extract induced PPARα expression 9-fold and RXRα expression 2.5-fold. Furthermore, the addition of PPARα siRNA but not a control siRNA prevented some but not all the positive effects of black seed on apo A-I secretion.
DISCUSSION:
Black seed extract is a potent inducer of apo A-I gene expression, presumably by enhancing PPARα/RXRα expression.
CONCLUSIONS:
We conclude that black seed may have beneficial effects in treating dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease.
Int J Prev Med. 2014 Feb;5(2):210-6.
Farzaneh E1, Nia FR2, Mehrtash M2, Mirmoeini FS3, Jalilvand M1.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Regular moderate intensity physical activity and lipid lowering effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) supplementation may be appropriate management for sedentary overweight females. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of long-term N. sativa supplementation and aerobic training on lipid profile and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in sedentary overweight females.
METHODS:
In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, which was conducted in Kerman city (Iran), 20 sedentary overweight females were divided into two groups and assigned to N. sativa supplementation (N. sativa capsules) or a placebo for the 8 weeks, both groups participated in an aerobic training program (3 times/week). Each N. sativa capsule contained 500 ± 10 mg N. sativa crushed seeds and subjects had to take 2 g N. sativa per day for 8 weeks. Blood lipids and VO2 max were determined at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks.
RESULTS:
N. sativa supplementation lowered total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.01), triglyceride (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.001) and body mass index (P < 0.01) and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) and VO2 max (P < 0.01). Aerobic training program lowered TC (P < 0.001) and LDL (P < 0.01) and increased VO2 max (P < 0.01). Furthermore, we observed a significant effect of aerobic training program and N. sativa supplementation lowered LDL and HDL (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The present study demonstrates that 8-week aerobic training plus N. sativa supplementation have a synergistic effect in improve profile lipid parameters.
Adv Pharm Bull. 2014;4(1):29-33. doi: 10.5681/apb.2014.005. Epub 2013 Dec 23.
Protective Effects of Nigella sativa on Metabolic Syndrome in Menopausal Women.
Ibrahim RM1, Hamdan NS1, Ismail M2, Saini SM3, Abd Rashid SN3, Abd Latiff L4, Mahmud R3.
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Abstract
PURPOSE:
This study was conducted in menopausal women to determine the metabolic impact of Nigella sativa.
METHODS:
Thirty subjects who were menopausal women within the age limit of 45-60 were participated in this study and randomly allotted into two experimental groups. The treatment group was orally administered with N. sativa seeds powder in the form of capsules at a dose of 1g per day after breakfast for period of two months and compared to control group given placebo. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline, 1st month, 2nd month and a month after treatment completed to determine their body weight, serum lipid profile and fasting blood glucose (FBG).
RESULTS:
The treatment group showed slight reduction with no significant difference in body weight changes of the respondents. However, significant (p<0.05) improvement was observed in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and blood glucose (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
These results suggested that treatment with N. sativa exert a protective effect by improving lipid profile and blood glucose which are in higher risk to be elevated during menopausal period.
Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2014 Mar;13(1):68-74.
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Abstract
Dyslipidemia plays an important role in the provocation of cardiovascular disease. Psoriasis was associated with metabolic disorder and therefore the present study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of combination of blackseed with garlic as a treatment for dyslipidemia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, two arms parallel study consisted of 4 week diet stabilization period that included a 4 week base line evaluation phase, followed by an 8 week treatment period. The study comprised men (n=127) and women (n=131) aged 24 to 57 years, who met the NCEP ATP III criteria for drug treatment of hyperlipidemia and dietary intervention. Three hundred patients were randomized to treatment and 258 completed the study. The lipid profile included total cholesterol, HDL-C, Non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and Triglyceride. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups at the baseline for triglyceride, HDL, Non-HDL, LDL and total cholesterol. Following 8 weeks treatment with simvastatin plus placebo the reduction in Non-HDL, triglyceride, LDL and total cholesterol following treatment course was statistically highly significant (P= <0.01). However, the increase in HDL was significant (P=0.02). Patients who received simvastatin, plus black seed and garlic for 8 weeks of treatment show significant differences between baseline and after treatment course for all tested profiles (P=<0.01). This comparison of mean values reveals a high significant difference (P=<0.01) for cholesterol, triglyceride, Non-HDL, and LDL, and significant difference (P=0.03) for HDL between the two treatment groups. This study suggests that the evaluated combination was effective in correction of dyslipidemia. Large scale clinical trials comparing different doses are warranted.
Lipids Health Dis. 2013 Jun 13;12:86. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-12-86.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Nigella sativa belonging to the Ranunculaceae family has been reported to use for thousands of years as protective and curative traditional medicine against a number of diseases. GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract (ME) and volatile oil (VO) extracted from Nigella sativa seed oil was performed by two different mass spectrometry libraries, WIlEY8 and NIST05s. The cholesterol lowering and antioxidant actions of VO and ME fractions were investigated in atherogenic suspension fed rats.
METHODS:
In this study, four groups of male Wistar rats were used: normolipidemic control (NLP-C), hyperlipidemic control (HLP-C), methanolic extract (HLP-ME) and volatile oil treated (HLP-VO) groups for 30 days of duration. P value < 0.05 was assumed as significant data in groups.
RESULTS:
Administration of atherogenic suspension to male Wistar rats for 30 days resulted in a marked increase of plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol, and significant change in plasma lipoprotein levels along with a decrease in antioxidant arylesterase activity in hyperlipidemic control (HLP-C) group. The oral feeding of 100 mg ME or 20 mg VO per rat/day effectively reduced the plasma triglycerides to near normal level, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol and its subfraction along with arylesterase activity levels were significantly increased. The test fractions elicited a significant decrease in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity. The fractions significantly blocked the ex vivo basal and in vitro maximal formation of conjugated diene and malondialdehyde, and lengthened the lag times of low density lipoprotein, small dense low density lipoprotein and large buoyant low density lipoprotein. ME possessing ω-6 linoleic acid along with palmitic acid active compounds was more effective than VO extract containing thymol and isothymol phenolic antioxidant compounds, thymoquinone phenolic compound common to the both extracts, via reduction in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity as well as antioxidant mechanisms.
CONCLUSION:
The both extracts especially, ME significantly improve cardiovascular risk parameters in treated rats, and can be used in reactive oxygen species disorders such as cardiovascular diseases.
J Family Community Med. 2012 Sep;19(3):155-61. doi: 10.4103/2230-8229.102311.
Favorable impact of Nigella sativaseeds on lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients.
Kaatabi H1, Bamosa AO, Lebda FM, Al Elq AH, Al-Sultan AI.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM:
The atherogenic pattern of dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasingly discussed. We have recently reported a hypoglycemic effect of Nigella sativa (NS) seeds in patients with type 2 DM. In this study we sought to assess the impact of NS seeds on lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients.
PATIENTS AND METHOD:
A total of 94 patients with type 2 DM were recruited and divided into 3 dose groups. Capsules containing NS were administered orally in a dose of 1, 2, and 3 g/day for 12 weeks. All patients were subjected to measurement of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) before treatment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks thereafter.
RESULTS:
Patients receiving 1 g/day NS seeds for 12 weeks (group 1) showed nonsignificant changes in all the parameters except for a significant increase in HDL-c after 4 weeks of treatment. However, patients ingested 2 g/day NS displayed a significant decline in TC, TG, and LDL-c, and a significant elevation in HDL-c/LDL-c, compared with their baseline data and to group 1 patients. Increasing NS dose to 3 g/day failed to show any increase in the hypolipdemic effect produced by the 2 g/day dose.
CONCLUSION:
NS supplementation at a dose of 2 g/day for 12 weeks may improve the dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, NS is a potential protective natural agent against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in these patients.
ARYA Atheroscler. 2012 Winter;7(4):146-50.
Efficiency of black cuminseeds on hematological factors in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
Asgary S1, Najafi S, Ghannadi A, Dashti G, Helalat A.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Hypercholesterolemia is among the most common health problems treated with traditional remedies. Nigella sativa (NS) is an effective plant for treating hypercholesterolemia. However, the effects of this herb on hematologic factors and hemostasis system have not been elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the effects of NS on these factors in both normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
METHODS:
In this research, twenty rabbits were randomly distributed into four groups of five. The groups received four different diets, namely normal, normal + NS (5%), hypercholesterolemic (1% cholesterol), and hypercholesterolemic (1% cholesterol) + NS (5%), for 8 weeks. After this period, WBC (white blood cell), RBC (red blood cell), HTC (hematocrit), HGB (hemoglobin content), PLT (platelet), fibrinogen (FIB) and factors VII (F VII) were measured.
RESULTS:
Using NS significantly increased PLT count in the normal group. In addition, it significantly decreased WBC counts in the hypercholesterolemic group (P < 0.05). However, dietary use of NS did not have any effects on other hematologic factors including RBC, HTC, HGB, FIB, and F VII (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Increased PLT numbers might cause enhanced coagulation. The achieved results call for more research on the effects of various diets (hypercholesterolemic and normal diet) supplemented with NS on different coagulation factors and hemostasis system.
Med Arch. 2012;66(3):198-200.
Sabzghabaee AM1, Dianatkhah M, Sarrafzadegan N, Asgary S, Ghannadi A.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Natural products are proved to play a good role as an alternative to synthetic chemicals in many clinical conditions. Hypercholesterolemia is the most important risk factor for atherosclerosis. Previous studies showed that Nigella sativa L. has both antioxidant and lipid lowering potentials.
THE AIM OF THIS STUDY:
To evaluate the efficacy of the seeds of Nigella sativa on the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
METHODS:
In this randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial which was conducted in Isfahan city (Iran), 88 subjects aged > or =18 years with a total cholesterol concentration >200 mg/dl were included. According to the patients” profiles number, they were randomized to receive either N. sativa capsules or the matching placebo. Each N sativa capsule contained 500 +/- 10 mg N. sativa crushed seeds, and patients had to take 2 g N. sativa per day for 4 weeks. Fasting baseline laboratory values (fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglyceride) were obtained for all parameters on each subject prior to the start of the study and at the end of 4 weeks.
RESULTS:
In our study a significant decrease was observed in the concentration of total cholesterol (4.78%), Low density lipoprotein (7.6%) and Triglyceride (16.65%), and this decrease was more significant for TG concentration. N. sativa had not any beneficial effects on Fasting blood sugar and High density lipoprotein.
CONCLUSION:
According to the results of our present study it seems that N. sativa may have some beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, further investigations with a larger sample size are necessary.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:213628. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neq071. Epub 2011 Jun 16.
Al-Naqeep G1, Al-Zubairi AS, Ismail M, Amom ZH, Esa NM.
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Abstract
Nigella sativa or Black seed (N. sativa L.) is traditionally used for several ailments in many Middle Eastern countries. It is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Ranuculacea family with many beneficial properties as antitumor, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antioxidative and antibacterial. This work attempted to study the effect of N. sativa seeds powder and oil on atherosclerosis in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic (HC) rabbits in comparison with simvastatin (ST). Twenty-five adult New Zealand male white rabbits, weighing 1.5-2.5”‰kg, were divided into five groups; normal group (NC, n = 5) and four hypercholesterolemic groups (n = 20): a positive control (PC) and three HC groups force fed diet supplemented with 1000”‰mg”‰Kg(-1) body weight of N. sativa powder (NSP), 500”‰mg”‰Kg(-1) body N. sativa oil (NSO) and 10”‰mg”‰Kg(-1) ST for 8”‰weeks. Feeding HC rabbits with N. sativa either in powder or oil forms was shown to significantly reduce (P < .05) total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels and enhance high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels after treatment for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks compared to the PC group. Plaque formation was significantly inhibited while the intima: media ratio was significantly reduced in the NSP and NSO supplemented groups compared to the PC group. In conclusion, treatment of HC rabbits with N. sativa seeds powder or oil showed hypocholesterolemic and antiatherogenic cardioprotective properties.