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Nigella sativa supplementation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review of clinical trials.

  • 2023-01-01
  • Avicenna journal of phytomedicine 13(1)
    • Abbas Mohtashamian
    • Armin Ebrahimzadeh
    • Zahra Shamekhi
    • Nasrin Sharifi

Study Design

Type
Review
Methods
Search of four databases (Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and Google scholar) to identify clinical trials assessing effects of N. sativa supplementation on NAFLD

Objective

Based on the results of previous studies, the effects of N. sativa on some of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease's (NAFLD) biomarkers were positive; however, there were conflicting results regarding other variables. Therefore, the present systematic review of clinical trials was designed to clarify whether N. sativa effectively prevents the progression of NAFLD.

Materials and methods

A search of four databases (Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and Google scholar) was conducted to identify the clinical trials that assessed the effects of N. sativa supplementation on NAFLD. The outcome variables of interest were biomarkers of hepatic steatosis, liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and inflammation.

Results

Overall, four randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. In three studies, hepatic steatosis grade decreased significantly after N. sativa supplementation. Serum levels of liver enzymes reduced significantly in three of four included trials. In the only study that examined the effect of N. sativa on insulin resistance parameters, all variables related to this factor were significantly reduced. In two included studies that measured biomarkers of inflammation, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) decreased significantly after intaking N. sativa supplements.

Conclusion

Although the efficacy of N. sativa on liver enzymes and the grade of hepatic steatosis was reported in some of the included studies, more well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine the definitive effects of N. sativa on NAFLD. The present study provides suggestions that help to design future studies in this field.

Research Insights

  • Black Cumin→Improved Insulin Sensitivity

    In the only study that examined the effect of N. sativa on insulin resistance parameters, all variables related to this factor were significantly reduced.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Black Cumin→Reduced Hepatic Steatosis Grade

    In three studies, hepatic steatosis grade decreased significantly after N. sativa supplementation.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Black Cumin→Reduced High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Level

    In two included studies that measured biomarkers of inflammation, the serum levels of ... high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ... decreased significantly after intaking N. sativa supplements.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Black Cumin→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels

    In two included studies that measured biomarkers of inflammation, the serum levels of ... interleukin 6 (IL-6) decreased significantly after intaking N. sativa supplements.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Black Cumin→Reduced Liver Enzyme Levels

    Serum levels of liver enzymes reduced significantly in three of four included trials.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Black Cumin→Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

    In two included studies that measured biomarkers of inflammation, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) ... decreased significantly after intaking N. sativa supplements.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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