Effects of Nigella sativa oil on Th1/Th2, cytokine balance, and improvement of asthma control in children
Abstract: Asthma is a chronic
inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by involvement of a variety
of inflammatory cells. Asthma is associated with imbalances between Th1/Th2
cells and their characteristic cytokine profiles. Nigella sativa is a plant
that possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.
Objective To investigate the potential anti-asthmatic effect of Nigella
sativa oil on Th1/Th2 cells, IFN-ɣ/IL-4 cytokines, and improvement of asthma
control.
Methods Children aged 6-15 years with asthma in Dr. Saiful Anwar
Hospital, Malang, were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated based
on standard treatment guidelines for asthma. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) was given
per oral as supplementary treatment at a dose of 15-30 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks,
in a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. Peripheral Th1 and Th2 cells
were counted by flow cytometry and IFN-ɣ and IL-4 cytokines were measured by
ELISA. Improvement of asthma control was assessed by the asthma control test (ACT) score.
Results Twenty-eight patients completed the study, 14 in the NSO
treatment group and 14 in standard treatment group. No significant differences
were found in the number of Th1 and Th2 cells, or in the Th1/Th2 ratio between
groups after treatment (P=0.074, P=0.481, and P=0.265, respectively). Compared
to the control, the NSO group showed a significant elevation of IFN-ɣ (P=0.046)
and reduction of IL-4 (P=0.002). At the end of study, ACT score was not
significantly different between groups (P=0.413).
Conclusion Supplementation with Nigella sativa oil improves IFN-ɣ/IL-4
balance and asthma control in children with asthma.
Keywords: Nigella sativa; IFN-ɣ/IL-4;
Th1/Th2; ACT Score; Asthma
Author: Wisnu Barlianto, Maria
Rachmawati, Muhammad Irawan, Desy Wulandari
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170186
