Development and characterization of a fucoidan-based nanoemulsion using Nigella sativa oil for improvement of anti-obesity activity of fucoxanthin in an obese rat model

The anti-obesity activity of encapsulated fucoxanthin in fucoidan-based nanoemulsion was investigated. Then, high-fat diet (HFD) induced-obese rats were fed along with different treatments including administration of encapsulated fucoxanthin (10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg/day), fucoidan (70 mg/kg), Nigella sativa oil (250 mg/kg), metformin (200 mg/kg), and free form of fucoxanthin (50 mg/kg) by oral gavage daily for 7 weeks. The study discovered that fucoidan-based nanoemulsions with a low and high dose of fucoxanthin had droplet size in the range of 181.70-184.87 nm and encapsulation efficacy of 89.94-91.68 %, respectively. Also exhibited 75.86 % and 83.76 % fucoxanthin in vitro release. The TEM images and FTIR spectera confirmed the particle size and encapsulation of fucoxanthin, respectively. Moreover, in vivo results revealed that encapsulated fucoxanthin reduced body and liver weight compared with a HFD group (p < 0.05). Biochemical parameters (FBS, TG, TC, HDL, LDL) and liver enzymes (ALP, AST, and ALT) were decreased after fucoxanthin and fucoidan administration. According to the histopathological analysis, fucoxanthin and fucoidan attenuated lipid accumulation in the liver.

The effect of Nigella sativa oil on serum levels of inflammatory markers, liver enzymes, lipid profile, insulin and fasting blood sugar in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the metabolic disturbances associated with inflammation. Nigella sativa (NS) seed oil has different chemical compounds including Thymoquinone (TQ), unsaturated fatty acids, and flavonoids. NSs are used as anti-inflammatory and antioxidants in medical sciences. This study aimed to investigate the effect of NS oil on several parameters in serum levels of patients with NAFLD.

Methods

Forty-four patients diagnosed with NAFLD participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups; one receiving NS oil and the other receiving placebo (paraffin oil), for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken from the patients at the beginning and the end of the study. Afterwards, liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and GGT), inflammatory markers (Hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6), insulin, lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL-C, and HDL-C), FBS, and blood pressure were measured.

Results

Consumption of NS seed oil as supplement decreased the FBS level, lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL, VLDL), liver enzymes (AST and ALT), hs-CRP inflammatory marker, IL-6, TNF-α, while it increased the HDL-C levels, compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Receiving NS oil had no significant effect on serum levels of insulin, blood pressure, and GGT in comparison with the beginning of the study (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

NS seed oil supplements may decrease the liver enzymes and lipid profiles in the patients with NAFLD and play a protective role in the liver via reducing the inflammation in this group of patients.

Standardized Nigella sativa seed oil ameliorates hepatic steatosis, aminotransferase and lipid levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds are used in the Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of liver diseases.

AIM OF STUDY

To study the efficacy and safety of N. sativa seed oil in the treatment of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients received 2.5 mL fully standardized N. sativa seed oil every 12 h and 60 other patients received placebo for 3 months. At the baseline and endpoint, hepatic steatosis ultrasound grade and blood levels of triglycerides, LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and complete blood cell count as well as body mass index were determined in the oil and placebo groups and compared.

RESULTS

Grade of hepatic steatosis was significantly reduced in the oil group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.004). Mean ± standard deviation of changes of variables in the oil and placebo groups were respectively 32.6 ± 16.6 and 14.2 ± 19.7% for ALT (P < 0/001), 29.4 ± 16.3 and 12.3 ± 16.8% for AST (P < 0.001), 10 ± 13.9 and 0.22 ± 18.2% for triglycerides (P = 0.001), 14.1 ± 9.8 and 9.2 ± 11.1% for LDL-C (P = 0.01), 9.5 ± 7.7 and 4.8 ± 6.5% for HDL-C (P = 0.001). However, the oil did not significantly affect the other outcome variables compared to the placebo (all P > 0.05). No adverse effect was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The N. sativa seed oil seems to be safe and improve liver steatosis and injury and blood levels of triglycerides, LDL-C and HDL-C in the NAFLD patients.

Role of Borage Seed Oil and Fish Oil with or without Turmeric and Alpha- Tocopherol in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Fatty Liver in Rats

The aim of the present research was to Study the prevention of dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and fatty liver as risk factors for cardiovascular disease via intervention by borage oil (B) and fish oil (F) with or without turmeric (T) and alpha-tocopherols (TC). Fatty acids were assessed in both oils while curcuminoids were determined in turmeric. Rats were divided into; first group fed on balanced diet and designated as normal control (NC), second fed on dyslipidemic and steatohepatitis (DS) inducer diet which represented the DS control group and groups 3-6 fed on DS inducer diet with daily oral administration of B, B+T+TC, F and F+T+TC; respectively for 5 weeks. Liver fat and plasma lipid profile, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarker and liver and heart histopathology were assessed. Results showed gamma linolenic to be 21.01% in B. F contained eicosapentaenoic as 22.768% and docosahexaenoic acid as 13.574%.Total curcuminoids were 4.63 mg/g turmeric. The DS control group showed significant dyslipidemia, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha and liver fat with significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to NC. The different treatments produced significant improvement in all the parameters and histopathology. F was superior to B in ameliorating liver histopathological changes while B was more efficient in elevating TAC. B was more promising in improving lipid profile and liver fat compared to B + T + TC, while the latter was superior in improving MDA and liver histopathology. Fish oil was more efficient than F+TC+T except for TAC and high density lipoprotein cholesterol which were more improved on addition of TC and T. Conclusion: Borage and fish oil with or without antioxidants protect from cardiovascular and fatty liver diseases with variable degrees.

Comparative Study of Orange and its Main Bioactive Constituents as Remedy for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver in Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is accused as inducer of both cardiovascular and chronic liver diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of combined freeze dried orange juice with its dried pulp supplemented with methionine, as functional food, in comparison to orange bioactive constituents, as parallel formula, in NAFLD rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Proximate composition, dietary fibers, minerals, total phenolics, fatty acids and phytosterols were determined in the orange functional food. The NAFLD was induced in rats through feeding high fructose diet. The prepared functional food and its parallel formula were evaluated in NAFLD rats through determination of liver fat and plasma lipid profile, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, leptin, insulin and glucose as well as liver and kidney function with histopathological examination of the liver. Insulin resistance (IR) and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol were calculated.

RESULTS

Orange functional food was shown to contain 9.17% dietary fibers, 1.4% potassium, 1.4 phenolic content as mg gallic acid/g, oleic acid as the major fatty acid (29.75% of total fatty acids) and 11.97% phytosterols from unsaponifiable matter. The studied formulas produced reduction of liver and plasma lipids, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, IR and leptin with improving liver function and histopathology pointing to potential management of NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

Orange functional food and its parallel formula were promising in management of NAFLD; with superiority to orange functional food. Phenolic compounds, dietary fibers, phytosterols and mono and poly-unsaturated fatty acids could be responsible to the bioactivity of orange formula.

Hepatic Regeneration and Reno-Protection by Fish oil, Nigella sativa Oil and Combined Fish Oil/Nigella sativa Volatiles in CCl4 Treated Rats

The aim of the present research was to investigate the effect of fish oil, crude Nigella sative oil and combined fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil as hepato-regenerative and renal protective supplements. The oils were administered as emulsions to rat model with liver injury induced by CCl₄. Plasma activities of transaminases (AST and ALT) were evaluated as liver function indicators, while plasma creatinine and urea and creatinine clearance were determined as markers of kidney function. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were estimated to assess the exposure to oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation. Liver fat was extracted and their fatty acids´ methyl esters were determined using gas chromatography. Results showed that plasma activities of AST and ALT were significantly higher in CCl₄ control group compared to control healthy group. Plasma levels of creatinine and urea increased significantly in CCl₄ control, while creatinine clearance was reduced significantly in the same group. All rat treated groups given the three oil emulsions showed improvement in liver function pointing to the initiation of liver regeneration. The combination of fish oil/Nigella sative volatiles showed the most promising regenerative activity. Oxidative stress and inflammation which were increased significantly in CCl₄ control group showed improvement on administration of the three different oil emulsions. Fatty acids methyl ester of liver fat revealed that rats treated with fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil presented the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids (45.52% ± 0.81) while fish oil showed the highest saturated fatty acids (53.28% ± 1.68). Conclusion; Oral administration of oil emulsions of native fish oil, Nigella sative crude oil and combined fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil reduced liver and kidney injury in rat model of CCl₄ through exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil emulsion was the most promising hepato-regenerative and reno-protective formula among the different groups.

Potentials of enhancing the physicochemical and functional characteristics of

In the current investigation the crude oil of Nigella sativa was extracted from seeds using hydraulic and screw pressing techniques. Different parameters were evaluated in order to find out the appropriate technique to enhance the physicochemical and functional-related characteristics of the extracted crude oil. Results showed that the acid and peroxide values were significantly lower in the screw pressed oil (SPO) than in the hydraulic pressed oil (HPO). The total phenolic content of the SPO was significantly higher than that of HPO. Evaluation of the oxidative stability using the Rancimat test showed that SPO recorded a much higher oxidative stability index (40.07 h) than HPO (0.51 h). The yield of the volatile oil fraction and its contents of thymoquinone isolated from the SPO were higher than that from the HPO. Biological evaluation revealed that the SPO had significantly higher antimicrobial activity than HPO against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus at 40 μL/well.

Microencapsulation of Nigella sativa oleoresin by spray drying for food and nutraceutical applications

Oleoresin of Nigella sativa L. (Black cumin) was obtained from the seeds using hexane extraction at room temperature. The oleoresin was emulsified in an aqueous solution containing gum Arabic/maltodextrin (1:1 w/w) and then encapsulated in powder form by spray drying. The characteristics of the obtained powder including moisture content, bulk density, wettability, morphology, encapsulation efficiency were evaluated. The effect of the spray drying on the chemical composition of the volatile oil fraction of N. sativa oleoresin was also evaluated using gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopic analysis. Results indicated that the encapsulation efficiency of the whole oleoresin in the powder can range from 84.2±1.5% to 96.2±0.2% depending on the conditions of extracting the surface oil from the powder. On the other hand the encapsulation efficiency of the volatile oil fraction was 86.2% ±4.7. The formulated N. sativa L. oleoresin powder can be used in the fortification of processed food and nutraceuticals.