Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Aim: The objective of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) either alone or in combination on blood glucose concentration, body weight, water and food intake and selected biochemical parameters of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

Study Design: Thirty five healthy adult albino rats kept on ordinary ration, received water ad libitum and divided into five groups (7 rats in each). Rats of first and second groups were non diabetic and diabetic respectively. Rats of 3-5 groups were diabetic and received Turmeric (1g/kg b.wt.), Black cumin seed (2g/kg b.wt.), half dose of black cumin seed and Turmeric as a mixture, respectively. All treatments were orally administered by intra-gastric intubations once a day for six weeks.

Results: The present study revealed that, STZ experimental diabetes induced significant elevation of glucose level, water and food intake, TAG and total cholesterol level with significant reduction of body weight gain of the affected rats. However, dietary supplementation of either Turmeric or Black cumin seed significantly (P≤0.05) corrected the values of these parameters near to control levels. In addition, liver and kidney function were disturbed in STZ-diabetic rats and restored whenever treated with the examined medicinal plants.

Conclusion: The present study can concluded that, dietary supplementation of either Turmeric or Black seed to diabetic rats were effective in reducing blood glucose, water and food intake, TAG and cholesterol accompanied by an increase in body weight gain. Regarding to Body weight gain, food intake, water intake, blood glucose level and TAG level, Turmeric was more effective than black cumin seed and mixture of both plants.