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Effect of Nigella sativa-L supplementation on glycemia in adolescent polycystic ovarian syndrome: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial study.

  • 2025-03-07
  • Journal of ovarian research 18(1)
    • Azamsadat Mahmoudian
    • Akram Ashouri
    • Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh
    • Roghaieh Rahmani Bilandi
    • Sareh Dashti
    • Narjes Bahri

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
116 adolescent girls aged 12-18 years with PCOS
Methods
secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial; 1000 mg/day of Nigella sativa extract for 16 weeks vs 10 mg/day of medroxyprogesterone for 10 days per menstrual cycle over the same period
Duration
16 weeks

Introduction

Adolescence is a critical period for health, as conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can affect long-term outcomes, including diabetes and other non-communicable diseases in adulthood. This study evaluated the effects of Nigella sativa L. extract on glycemia among adolescents with PCOS.

Materials and methods

This secondary analysis used data from a randomized controlled trial conducted between March 2022 and March 2023. One hundred sixteen adolescent girls aged 12-18 years with PCOS were randomized into two groups. The intervention group received 1000 mg/day of Nigella sativa extract for 16 weeks, while the control group received 10 mg/day of medroxyprogesterone for 10 days per menstrual cycle over the same period. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and one- and two-hour post-prandial glucose levels were measured at baseline and after the intervention.

Results

103 completed the study (50 in the Nigella sativa group and 53 in the control group). At baseline, there were no significant differences in FPG (p = 0.294), though the control group had higher one-hour (p = 0.002) and two-hour (p = 0.006) post-prandial glucose levels. Post-intervention, significant interaction effects were observed for FPG (p = 0.004) and two-hour post-prandial glucose (p = 0.023), indicating more significant reductions in the Nigella sativa group compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Considering the observed effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on FPG and two-hour post-prandial glucose, it may offer a complementary approach to managing glycemia in adolescent PCOS. However, further research is warranted.

Research Insights

  • Black Cumin→Improved Fasting Plasma Glucose

    Post-intervention, significant interaction effects were observed for FPG (p=0.004) indicating more significant reductions in the Nigella sativa group compared to the control group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1000 mg/day
  • Black Cumin→Reduced Postprandial Glucose

    At baseline, the control group had higher one-hour post-prandial glucose levels (p=0.002). No significant interaction effect was reported post-intervention.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1000 mg/day
  • Black Cumin→Reduced Two-Hour Postprandial Glucose

    Post-intervention, significant interaction effects were observed for two-hour post-prandial glucose (p=0.023) indicating more significant reductions in the Nigella sativa group compared to the control group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1000 mg/day
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