Nigella sativa (Black Seed) Oil Alleviates the Serum Levels of IL-6 and Insulin in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects 5%-10% of women of reproductive age. Supplements with potential anti-inflammatory properties, such as Nigella sativa oil, have been proposed as adjunctive therapies that may improve selected metabolic and inflammatory features of PCOS. This study investigated the effect of N. sativa oil on serum levels of IL-6 and insulin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on 60 PCOS patients. Patients received either N. sativa oil supplementation (1000 mg daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Intermenstrual interval, menstrual duration, fasting blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and serum IL-6 levels were measured. Sixty women with PCOS were randomized equally to the intervention and placebo groups. After baseline adjustment, serum IL-6 (adjusted mean difference -4.21; 95% CI -6.34 to -2.08; p < 0.001) and fasting blood glucose (adjusted mean difference -8.16 mg/dL; 95% CI -12.73 to -3.58; p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the N. sativa group than in the placebo group. No significant between-group differences were observed for fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, luteinizing hormone, or total testosterone. The intermenstrual interval was significantly shorter in the intervention group, whereas menstrual duration and other clinical manifestations showed no significant between-group differences. Twelve weeks of N. sativa oil supplementation were associated with significant improvements in inflammatory status and fasting blood glucose compared with placebo after baseline adjustment. However, no significant between-group effects were observed for insulin resistance indices or hormonal outcomes. These findings support the potential adjunctive role of N. sativa oil in PCOS while highlighting the need for larger adequately powered clinical trials.