Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of Nigella sativa L. in High-Fat diet Fed Wistar Rats

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is thought to have an anti-atherosclerotic effect, including the potential to prevent foam cell formation, a key factor in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the impact of black cumin extract on body weight and foam cell formation in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet. A post-test-only control group design was used, with five groups: a high-fat diet group with 500 mg/day of black cumin extract (P1), a high-fat diet group with 40 mg/day of atorvastatin (P2), a high-fat diet group with both atorvastatin (40 mg/day) and black cumin (500 mg/day) (P3), a normal diet group (N), and a high-fat diet group (P). Rats' body weights were measured weekly, and at the study's end, euthanasia was performed using xylazine and ketamine injection, followed by cervical dislocation, to collect aortic samples, which were stained with Mason Trichrome and examined for foam cells. The results showed average body weights of 286.6 ± 6.54 g (P), 264.8 ± 7.57 g (N), 233.6 ± 11.05 g (P2), 229.6 ± 7.50 g (P1), and 188.8 ± 11.00 g (P3). The average number of foam cells per fields was 6.6 ± 1.03 (N), 19.4 ± 1.34 (P), 7.08 ± 0.98 (P1), 10.2 ± 2.32 (P2), and 11.28 ± 3.57 (P3). The highest number of foam cells was found in the high-fat diet group (P), significantly higher than in other groups. In conclusion, black cumin reduced both body weight and foam cell formation, showing effects similar to atorvastatin.