Effects of Cumin Seeds on Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTARCT Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both, leading to complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. The rising prevalence of diabetes has intensified interest in alternative and complementary therapies, including herbal remedies like Nigella sativa (black seed). N. sativa is rich in bioactive compounds, particularly thymoquinone, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. Clinical and preclinical studies have shown that N. sativa supplementation significantly improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Reported benefits include reductions in fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial glucose levels (2hPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and improved insulin sensitivity. Additionally, N. sativa exhibits lipid-lowering effects, reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which may help prevent diabetes-related cardiovascular complications. Dosage across studies ranged from 0.7 g to 5 g per day in various forms such as oil, capsules, powder, and tea, with 2 g/day considered optimal. While N. sativa generally shows good tolerability, mild side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort and hypoglycemia have been reported. Compared to conventional antidiabetic drugs, N. sativa offers a natural, multi-targeted approach with fewer adverse effects but still requires standardization and further large-scale clinical trials to confirm its efficacy and safety. Overall, N. sativa holds promise as an adjunctive therapy in diabetes management.