Effect of Nigella Seeds Supplementation on Total Cholesterol Levels among Working and Non-Working Obese Women: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective(s): This comparative experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of Nigella seed recipe on the cholesterol level of obese women in Najibabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Materials and Methods: One hundred working and non-working obese women aged 25 to 45 were allocated to the experimental group. Participants in the treatment group received a daily oral preparation of Nigella sativa seeds. The preparation involved boiling 3 grams of whole Nigella sativa seeds in 100 millilitres of water at 100°C for 5 minutes. The mixture was then filtered using a sterile muslin cloth or fine filter paper to remove solid residue, and the resulting aqueous extract was allowed to cool to a drinkable temperature before administration. Participants were instructed to consume the entire 100 mL dose once daily, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach, for the duration of the 12-week intervention period. Adherence was monitored via daily intake logs and weekly check-ins. Participants abstained from taking any other drugs, herbal preparations, or food supplements throughout the study. Body weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, biochemical parameters, and hormonal levels were measured at baseline and at the end of the experiment face to face interview was carried out at baseline and every week to check for compliance.

Results: Both working and non-working groups significantly improved their total cholesterol level.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Nigella sativa supplementation has a significant impact on reducing total cholesterol levels in obese women. The findings suggest that regular intake of Nigella sativa, when combined with a controlled diet and lifestyle modifications, can contribute to the improvement of lipid profiles. The cholesterol-lowering properties of Nigella sativa may be attributed to its active compounds, particularly thymoquinone, which is known for its antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects. These results support the potential use of Nigella sativa as a natural adjunct therapy for managing hypercholesterolemia, especially in populations at risk for cardiovascular disease. However, further large-scale and long-term studies are warranted to validate these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.