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The effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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Abstract

Objective

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative markers among the adult population.

Methods

We carried out a comprehensive, systematic search of Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar till December 2022. A random-effects model was used to estimate the overall effect size.

Results

In total, twenty trials consisting of 1086 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Findings from 20 RCTs included in the meta-analysis suggest that N. sativa supplementation could significantly reduce serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD = − 2.28; 95% CI − 3.20, − 1.37, p < 0.001), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) (SMD = − 1.21; 95% CI − 2.15, − 0.26; p = 0.013), and malondialdehyde (MDA) (SMD = − 2.15; 95% CI − 3.37, − 0.93, p < 0.001) levels, and significantly improves total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD = 2.28; 95% CI 1.29, 3.27, p < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (SMD = 1.23, 95% CI 0.25, 2.22; p = 0.014) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (SMD = 2.05; 95% CI 1.22, 2.88, p < 0.001) levels. However, no significant reduction was found in interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels (SMD = − 1.13; 95% CI − 2.72, 0.46, p = 0.162).

Conclusion

N. sativa supplementation had beneficial effects on CRP, TNF-α, MDA, SOD, GPx, and TAC. Thus, Nigella sativa can be recommended as an adjuvant anti-oxidant agent and anti-inflammatory.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful from Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences for their financial support. The present study has been performed by a grant from Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (grant number: 1401284).

Funding

The present study has been performed by a grant from Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (grant number: 1401284).

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Author notes

  1. Zeynab Kavyani and Vali Musazadeh have contributed equally to this work and share first authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Zeynab Kavyani, Vali Musazadeh & Amir Hossein Moridpour

  2. School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Zeynab Kavyani & Vali Musazadeh

  3. Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Sahar Golpour-hamedani & Mahdi Vajdi

  4. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

    Gholamreza Askari

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  1. Zeynab Kavyani
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Contributions

VM and MV conceived the study. The literature search and screening data were done by GA. Data extraction and quality assessment was performed independently by VM and MV. VM and MV analyzed and interpreted data and wrote the manuscript. GA supervised the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mahdi Vajdi or Gholamreza Askari.

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The study protocol was approved and registered by the ethics committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Identifier: IR.MUI.RESEARCH.REC.1401.356).

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10787_2023_1213_MOESM1_ESM.docx

Supplementary file1 Supplementary file.1. The results of funnel plots for biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. (DOCX 4689 KB)

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Kavyani, Z., Musazadeh, V., Golpour-hamedani, S. et al. The effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Inflammopharmacol 31, 1149–1165 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-023-01213-0

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