The effect of dietary supplementation with Nigella sativa (black seeds) mediates immunological function in male Wistar rats

Abstract This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of dietary Nigella sativa on cell-mediated immune response. Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided equally into a control group and treated groups that received black seeds at rates 30 50 g/kg in diet (Sa30 Sa50 groups, respectively, for days. The weight gain, feed intake, conversion ratio (FCR), response monitored after injection 0.1 mL 10% phytohemagglutinin (PHA). intumesce index, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), interleukin-12 (IL-12), gamma interferon (?-IF) tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) determined. Histopathological examination an immunohistochemistry analysis splenic caspase-3 CD8 performed. significantly improved gain FCR. Intumesce index was increased. increased TAC, CAT, IL-12, ?-IF TNF-?. A histological PHA-stimulated foot pads showed leukocyte infiltration edema dose-dependent pattern. Splenic significant decreases increases, Sa30 groups. results indicate exhibit immunostimulatory function through their potential, induction cytokine production, promotion expression reduction apoptosis.