Lipid Lowering Effects of <i>Nigella sativa</i> and Swimming Training in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes disorders in blood lipids. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the lipid lowering effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa and swim training in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: A total of 32 diabetic rats were selected and randomly divided into four equal-size groups: (1) Swim training, (2) Nigella sativa, (3) swim training with Nigella sativa, and (4) control. Groups 2 and 3 received 100 mg/kg/day of Nigella sativa extract in the peritoneum. Groups 1 and 3 also swam in a swimming tank (five days per week for four weeks). After this period, blood samples were taken. For analysis of the findings, Paired Sample t-test and two-way ANOVA were used (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Swim training and Nigella sativa consumption had a significant effect in reducing cholesterol (Cho), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P ≤ 0.05); high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly following swim training (P ≤ 0.05); Nigella sativa and swim training had significant interactive effects in reducing Cho, TG, VLDL, and LDL, and in increasing HDL (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: It seems that four weeks of Nigella sativa consumption combined with swimming training has a more favourable fat-reducing effect than Nigella sativa consumption or swim training alone.