27.5.12

Does black cumin seed oil improve Crohn's symptoms?

Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa) Seed Oil from Wikipedia
"The oil contains melanthin, nigilline, damascenine and tannins. Melanthin is toxic in large doses and nigelline is paralytic, so this spice must be used in moderation."

"Effect of Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa)  Seed Oil on  Gastric Tissue in Experimental Colitis" in Advances in Environmental Biology (2011) [full text]
"The oil of NS is so beneficial due to its content of over 100 components such as aromatic oils, trace elements, vitamins and enzymes. It contains 58% of essential fatty acids including omega 6 and omega 3. These are necessary for the forming of prostaglandin E1 that balances and strengthens the immune system giving it the power to prevent infections and allergies and
control chronic illnesses.
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Excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, leukotriene B4 and platelet activating factor, and the presence of highly activated inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages are common characteristic of ulcerative colitis [7,11,21]. Accordingly in the present study, serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 increased in TNBS [trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid] induced colitis group. This inflammatory status has been reversed by NS [nigella sativa]oil.  Moreover increased serum LDH [lactate dehydrogenase] activity of the colitis group decreased with NS oil administration which shows the improved tissue damage by NS oil.
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The use of natural anti-inflammatory products provides an attractive and relatively non-toxic alternative to modulate inflammatory disorders.  Consequently NS may have an important role in modulating the inflammatory response of the gastric tissue in colitis."

"Protective Effects of Nigella Sativa on Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats" in Journal of Investigative Surgery (2010)
"Our results suggest that NS treatment protected the rat's intestinal tissue against intestinal ischemia- reperfusion injury."

"Rat Plasma Oxidation Status After Nigella Sativa L. Botanical Treatment in CCL4-Treated Rats" in
Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods (2008)
"The results indicate the potential of NS [nigella sativa] in preventing CCL4-induced toxic nitrosative stress. It is concluded that NS has marked antioxidant potentials that may be beneficial in alleviating complications of many illnesses related to oxidative/nitrosative stress in humans, but preclinical safety measures should be completed before clinical trials."

"Emerging clinical and therapeutic applications of Nigella sativa in gastroenterology" in World J Gastroenterol. (2009)
"N. sativa decreases DNA damage and thereby prevents initiation of carcinogenesis in colonic tissue secondary to exposure to toxic agents such as azoxymethane[2]. ... These anti-carcinogenic effects are mediated in part by thymoquinone secondary to its inhibitory influence on the NF-κB activation pathway[6].
... In fact, N. sativa attenuates the damage to β-cells of the pancreas following exposure to toxic elements such as cadmium[9]. Similarly, N. sativa administration attenuates the ulcerative effects of ethanol on gastric mucosa by decreasing the glutathione-S transferase levels in gastric mucosa[10].
Besides these effects, N. sativa also demonstrates anti- parasitic effects. For instance, its administration decreases the number of eggs as well as worms in schistosomiasis, which tends to affect hepatic and intestinal tissues[11]. In addition, N. sativa attenuates the side effects associated with some common medications used by gastroenterologists. For instance, cyclosporine, used by gastroenterologists for disorders such as recalcitrant Crohn’s disease, is often associated with nephrotoxic side effects, which can be limited by N. sativa due to its anti-oxidant properties[12]....
Thymoquinone, derived from N. sativa, has also been demonstrated to induce apoptosis of human colon cancer cells[15]. The above examples clearly illustrate the massive clinical and therapeutic potential of N. sativa. Personally, I believe that the anti-carcinogenic effects of N. sativa hold the maximum therapeutic potential. Given the significant benefits associated with its administration, broad-spectrum studies are clearly and urgently needed to further assess and elaborate its therapeutic benefits in gastroenterology."

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