Effects of Nigella sativa and Metformin on HbA1C, Glucose tolerance and Lipid Profile of Diabetic Rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Nigella sativa and Metformin in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHOD: 50 male albino rats weighing between 200 and 240 gm were included in this study. They were equally divided into 5 groups as following; Group (1) control normal rats. Group (2) streptozotocin 60 mg/kg body weight -induced diabetic rats. Group (3) diabetic rats treated with Metformin 8.5 mg/kg IP. Group (4) diabetic rats treated with Nigella sativa oil 0.5 ml/kg IP and group (5) diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract of Nigella sativa 3 mL/kg IP. The sugar level, glucose tolerance test, HbA1C and lipid profile were investigated in plasma of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats before and after administration of Nigella sativa and Metformin. RESULTS: Showed significant hypoglycemic effect after administration of Nigella sativa oil more than aqueous extract of Nigella sativa and Metformin in glucose tolerance test. The administration of Nigella sativa oil for one month showed a decrease by 13% in sugar level, 10% in HbA1C, 20% in total cholesterol, 17% triglycerides, and by 18% in LDL- cholesterol. While diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract of Nigella sativa showed a decrease by 10% in sugar level, 7% in HbA1C, 14% in total cholesterol, 18% in triglycerides, and by 12% in LDL-cholesterol. Also, metformin group showed a decrease by 17% in sugar level, 8% HbA1C, 10% in total cholesterol, 22% triglycerides, and by 8% in LDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that the administration of Nigella sativa resulted in a significant hypoglycemic effect and reduce lipid profile in diabetic rats. KEY WORDS: Nigella sativa, glucose tolerance test, lipid profile, and HbA1C.