Abstract
The present paper investigates the hypolipidemic effect of Nigella sativa L. administration on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.
Sixteen age-matched rabbits were divided into two experimental groups. Base line values of the requisite parameters were observed
and animals were then administered atherogenic diet for four weeks. 100mg/kg of body weight/ day N.sativa seed powder were fed to
these hypercholesterolemic rabbits for another four weeks. At the end of experimental period, blood samples were collected and
assayed for alterations. The administration of N. sativa seed powder in hypercholesterolemic animals significantly decreased plasma
cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C concentrations and increased plasma HDL-C concentration. Beneficial effects were also observed
on serum ALT, AST, glucose and GSH levels. These findings suggested cardioprotective effect of dietary supplementation of
N.sativa.
