The effects of powdered black cumin seeds on markers of oxidative stress, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1): From molecular functions to clinical applications in cancer investigation

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a versatile molecule that plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes, particularly in tumor development where its impact is bidirectional. On the one hand, it augments the immune response by promoting immune cell migration, infiltration, and the formation of immunological synapses, thus facilitating potent antitumor effects. Simultaneously, it contributes to tumor immune evasion and influences metastasis by mediating transendothelial migration (TEM), epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and epigenetic modification of tumor cells. Despite its significant potential, the full clinical utility of ICAM-1 has yet to be fully realized. In this review, we thoroughly examine recent advancements in understanding the role of ICAM-1 in tumor development, its relevance in predicting therapeutic efficacy and prognosis, as well as the progress in clinical translational research on anti-ICAM-1-based therapies, encompassing including monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and conventional treatments. By shedding light on these innovative strategies, we aim to underscore ICAM-1's significance as a valuable and multifaceted target for cancer treatment, igniting enthusiasm for further research and facilitating translation into clinical applications.

Endothelial Function Responses to Nigella sativa (Black Seed) Supplementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nigella sativa (NS), commonly known as black cumin or black seed, is a medicinal plant with a rich history of traditional use in various cultures. Recent research has shed light on its potential therapeutic properties, particularly its effects on endothelial markers involved in inflammatory processes. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the endothelial function responses, including intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), to NS supplementation. We systematically searched Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases from inception until August 5, 2023. Comparative randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Pairwise meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan version 5.4 for Windows. Pooled data were reported as mean difference (MD), with their 95% confidence interval (CI). The present meta-analysis included three RCTs, which included 146 patients. The pooled random-effect size showed no difference between the NS group and the control group in terms of ICAM (MD = -59.32, 95% CI: -137.18 to 18.54; p = 0.14) and VCAM (MD = -200.1, 95% CI: -429.9 to 29.69; p = 0.09). The pooled data were severely heterogeneous. In conclusion, NS supplementation does not have a significant impact on the endothelial function of patients with CVD or the risks of CVD. Further comparative RCTs with larger sample sizes and more diverse populations are needed to establish the efficacy and safety of NS in different clinical settings.

The effects of mango consumption on vascular health and immune function

Objectives

Heart disease, caused by atherosclerosis, is the leading cause of death. Maintaining vascular integrity is crucial to reducing atherosclerosis risk. Mangos are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that may offer cardioprotective and immune-boosting benefits. However, their effects on the vasculature and immune system in adults with overweight and obesity remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mango consumption on vascular health and immune function in adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods

In a 12-week, crossover study, 27 overweight and obese participants consumed either 100 kcals of mangos daily or isocaloric low-fat cookies daily. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 12 and analyzed for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), P-selectin, E-selectin, sCD4, sCD8, sCD3E, and sCD45, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Results

Mango consumption significantly decreased VCAM-1 between baseline and week 4 (P = 0.046) and week 12 (P = 0.004). CAT increased between baseline and week 12 (P = 0.035) with mango consumption. GPx increased at week 12 compared to baseline and week 4 (P < 0.05). At week 12, SOD was higher after mango consumption compared to low-fat cookie consumption (P = 0.046). There were no significant differences in ICAM-1, P-selectin, E-selectin, sCD4, sCD8, sCD3E, sCD45 or TNF-α concentrations (P > 0.05 for all non-significant results).

Conclusions

This study suggests that 100 kcals of mangos may benefit the integrity of the vasculature by reducing VCAM-1 and increasing SOD, CAT, and GPx levels. Mangos can be an alternative snack for improving atherosclerosis and oxidative stress risk factors.

A Scoping Review of the Clinical Evidence for the Health Benefits of Culinary Doses of Herbs and Spices for the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing global health problem. Evidence suggests that diets rich in phytochemical-containing herbs and spices can contribute to reducing the risk of chronic diseases. This review assesses the scope of evidence supporting the use of herbs and spices in the diet for the prevention or treatment of MetS and its associated health conditions. A search of the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases was carried out to assess the available clinical evidence for culinary doses of commonly used herbs and spices. Trials that were measuring health factors related to metabolic disorders in healthy individuals, or the health of individuals with MetS or associated diseases, were included. Out of a total of 1738 papers identified, there were 142 relevant studies on black pepper, chilli, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, nigella seed, rosemary, sage and turmeric. No relevant research was found for cloves, mint, oregano, parsley or thyme. Cinnamon, fenugreek and ginger were the herbs/spices with the most published trials on them and that showed promise for glycaemic control. Cardamom appears to have potential to reduce inflammatory markers, and cinnamon, ginger and turmeric to reduce blood lipids. Patients with type 2 diabetes were the population most likely to be included in studies, but the preventative benefits of herbs/spices in healthy populations were also investigated, particularly for chilli, ginger and cinnamon. There is evidence for the beneficial effect of culinary doses of many common herbs/spices in the prevention and treatment of MetS and associated disorders.

Do Dietary Supplements Affect Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Status in Adults with Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Disease?-A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials

This systematic review aims to summarise the results of controlled trials on dietary supplements (DS) usage and inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and thyroid parameter improvement in hypothyroidism (HT)/Hashimoto's thyroiditis (AIT) patients. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42022365149). A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases resulted in the identification of nineteen randomised controlled trials and three non-randomised studies for the review; three studies examined the effect of supplementation with vitamin D, twelve studies-with selenium, and seven studies-with other DS. Based on very limited evidence, the lack of influence of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory parameters was found, while no studies have examined oxidative stress and antioxidant status parameters, and only one provided results for a single thyroid parameter after an intervention. Some evidence was found proving that selenium supplementation may decrease inflammation and improve thyroid parameters, but reaching a conclusion about its influence on oxidative stress and antioxidant status is not possible because of the insufficient number of studies. Additionally, due to examining other DS (e.g., multicomponent, Nigella sativa, and genistein) only in single studies, conclusions cannot be drawn. Further long-term, high-quality randomised controlled trials are necessary to better understand the influence of DS on inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status, as well as their potential to improve thyroid gland function in HT/AIT patients.

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

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.

The Influence of Nutritional Intervention in the Treatment of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis-A Systematic Review

Diet can be a complementary treatment for Hashimoto's disease by affecting thyroid function and anti-inflammatory properties. It is still unclear which dietary strategy would be the most beneficial. The aim of this systematic review is to examine all the data currently available in the literature on the effects of nutritional intervention on biochemical parameters (anti-thyroid antibody and thyroid hormones levels) and characteristic symptoms in the course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This systematic review was prepared based on PRISMA guidelines. Articles in PubMed and Scopus databases published up to November 2022 were searched. As a result of the selection, out of 1350 publications, 9 were included for further analysis. The nutritional interventions included the following: elimination of gluten (3 articles) or lactose (1 article), energy restriction with or without excluding selected foods (n = 2), consumption of Nigella sativa (n = 2), or dietary iodine restriction (n = 1). The intervention duration ranged from 21 days to 12 months and included individuals with various thyroid function. Of the nine studies, three studies were female only. An improvement was observed during an energy deficit and after the elimination of selected ingredients (e.g., gluten, lactose, or goitrogens), as well as after the intervention of Nigella sativa. These interventions improved antibody levels against peroxidase (anti-TPO), (thyrotropin) TSH, and free thyroxine (fT4). No improvement was seen on the iodine-restricted diet. Varied outcomes of analyzed dietary interventions may be due to the heterogeneous thyroid condition, high variability between patients, and differences in habitual intake of critical nutrients (e.g., iodine, selenium, and iron) in different populations. Therefore, there is a great need for further experimental studies to determine whether any nutritional interventions are beneficial in Hashimoto's disease.

Efficacy of nigella sativa oil on endothelial function and atherogenic indices in patients with coronary artery diseases: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-control clinical trial

A therapeutic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects might be a practical approach in endothelial dysfunction caused by oxidation and inflammation associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, we aim to examine the efficacy of Nigella sativa (NS) oil supplementation on endothelial function and atherogenic indices in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Sixty individuals aged between 35 to 65 years old were recruited and divided into two groups, receiving either 2 g/daily of NS oil or sunflower oil as the placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of adhesion molecules, oxidative markers, and atherogenic parameters were evaluated at the starting point and the end of supplementation. Serum levels of vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (sVCAM-1) [-264.44 95% C, (156.83, 372.04)], intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) [-132.38 95% C, (40.64, 224.1)], and malondialdehyde (MDA) [-0.21 95% C, (0.03, 0.40)] declined significantly following NS supplementation, while total antioxidant capacity increased [0.03 95% C, (0.03, 0.16)]. NS oil supplementation demonstrated a potential beneficial effect on endothelial function by reducing ICAM-1, VCAM-1 levels and affecting oxidative markers. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate NS oil as a therapeutic agent and complementary therapy in patients with stable CAD.

The effect of Nigella sativa oil on vascular dysfunction assessed by flow-mediated dilation and vascular-related biomarkers in subject with cardiovascular disease risk factors: A randomized controlled trial

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a marker of vascular function. Beneficial cardiometabolic effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) have been observed. We evaluated the effect of N. sativa oil on FMD, plasma nitrite, and nitrate (NOx) as nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, and inflammatory markers in subjects with CVD risk factors. Fifty participants were randomly assigned to either the N. sativa (two capsules of 500 mg N. sativa oil) or the placebo group (two capsules of 500 mg mineral oil), for 2 months. The brachial FMD, plasma NOx, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured. FMD and plasma NOx levels was significantly increased in the N. sativa group compared to the placebo group (changes: 2.97 ± 2.11% vs. 0.71 ± 3.19%, p < 0.001 for FMD and 4.73 ± 7.25 μmol/L vs. 0.99 ± 5.37 μmol/L, p = 0.036 for plasma NOx). However, there was no significant difference in ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels between groups. Therefore, N. sativa oil improves vascular NO and FMD in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors. However, more studies are warranted to confirm the beneficial impacts of the N. sativa oil on vascular inflammation.

Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety

Mounting evidence support the potential benefits of functional foods or nutraceuticals for human health and diseases. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), a highly valued nutraceutical herb with a wide array of health benefits, has attracted growing interest from health-conscious individuals, the scientific community, and pharmaceutical industries. The pleiotropic pharmacological effects of black cumin, and its main bioactive component thymoquinone (TQ), have been manifested by their ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation, and to promote immunity, cell survival, and energy metabolism, which underlie diverse health benefits, including protection against metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, renal, respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders, cancer, and so on. Furthermore, black cumin acts as an antidote, mitigating various toxicities and drug-induced side effects. Despite significant advances in pharmacological benefits, this miracle herb and its active components are still far from their clinical application. This review begins with highlighting the research trends in black cumin and revisiting phytochemical profiles. Subsequently, pharmacological attributes and health benefits of black cumin and TQ are critically reviewed. We overview molecular pharmacology to gain insight into the underlying mechanism of health benefits. Issues related to pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions, drug delivery, and safety are also addressed. Identifying knowledge gaps, our current effort will direct future research to advance potential applications of black cumin and TQ in health and diseases.

Effect of Nigella sativa L. supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

AIMS

The objective of the present study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of Nigella sativa L. supplementation on the circulating inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA).

METHODS

Systematic search was performed up to March 2020 using PubMed, Scopus, and ISI web of science databases. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated methodological quality of included primary studies. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using I-square (I²) statistic. Data were pooled by using the random-effect model and standardized mean difference (SMD) was considered as the summary effect size.

RESULTS

Twelve trials were identified to be suitable for our meta-analysis. The pooled results using random effects model indicated that Nigella sativa supplementation significantly reduced CRP (SMD: -0.35; 95% CI: -0.59, -0.12, P < 0.001, I² = 10.5%) and MDA concentrations (SMD: -0.56; 95% CI: -0.98, -0.15, P < 0.001, I² = 64.7%). Moreover, Nigella sativa supplementation increased TAC (SMD: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.87, P = 0.01, I² = 65.6%) levels; however, it did not affect TNF-α (SMD: -0.35; 95% CI: -0.70, 0.01, P = 0.05, I² = 58.2%).

CONCLUSION

Nigella sativa supplementation is associated with improved inflammation and oxidative status. Additional prospective studies are recommended using higher supplementation doses and longer intervention period.

Thymoquinone Upregulates Catalase Gene Expression and Preserves the Structure of the Renal Cortex of Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroid Rats

Background

The association between hypothyroidism and renal diseases has been described in many studies. Nigella Sativa was among the recently reported natural product that has the potential to prevent renal tissue damage and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of thymoquinone on the structure of the renal cortex of hypothyroid rats and explore the mechanism behind it.

Methods

An experimental model of hypothyroidism was induced in adult male Wistar rats by administration of propylthiouracil (6 mg/kg/body weight). One hypothyroid group was treated with thymoquinone at the dose of 50 mg/kg/body weight and compared to the untreated group. Thyroid function and oxidant/antioxidant status were assessed in the serum. Catalase gene expression was assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. The kidney was assessed both histologically and immunohistochemically.

Results

Administration of propylthiouracil resulted in a significant decrease in the serum levels of nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activity while the level of malondialdehyde significantly (p < 0.001) increased. Administration of thymoquinone alleviated this effect on the thyroid hormones and significantly increased the serum levels of antioxidants. Thymoquinone significantly (p < 0.001) upregulated catalase transcription by about 24-fold and could block the hypothyroidism-induced glomerular and tubular injury.

Conclusion

Thymoquinone may have a potential protective effect against hypothyroidism-induced renal injury acting through the attenuation of the oxidative stress and upregulation of renal catalase gene expression.

Recent Progress on Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of the Genus Nigella

Seeds of the genus Nigella plants as folk medicine are often used to prevent and treat asthma, diarrhea, dyslipidemia, and other diseases around the world. Pharmacological researches showed that seed extract and seed oil have antibacterial, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hepatoprotective effects which attributed to their bioactive constituents such as alkaloids, saponins, flavones, and phenols. This paper has covered recent progresses on chemical and pharmacological researches on these plants, including their compounds and pharmacological effects. It was found that the chemical component researches were focused on the seed oil. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the profile of the whole constituents in the seeds.