Black Cumin and Reduced Alanine Aminotransferase Level

Across 3 studies, 1 large meta-analysis (n=5026) reported a beneficial small effect of black cumin supplementation on reducing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, while 2 other meta-analyses/RCTs (including type 2 diabetes and knee osteoarthritis populations) found neutral effects. The median study duration was 19 days, shorter than typical for liver enzyme outcomes, and the most-studied dose range could not be reliably determined due to variability. The predominant effect direction is mixed (1 beneficial, 2 neutral), with the sole beneficial study showing a small effect size.

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests. The beneficial finding comes from a meta-analysis covering a broad dose range (200–4600 mg/day) and a general population, while neutral findings focused on specific clinical populations (T2DM, knee osteoarthritis) — results may differ by health status. Median study duration (19 days) is short relative to typical timelines for liver enzyme improvement.