Study the effect of Nigella sativa L. on hematological factors in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Hypercholesterolaemia is among the most common health problems treated with traditional remedies. Nigella sativa is an effective plant for hypercholesterolemia treatment. However the effect of this herb on hematologic factors and hemostase system has not been elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa on these factors in both normal and hypercholestderolemic rabbits. In this research, twenty rabbits were randomly distributed into four groups of five each. Having normal diet and normal diet + Nigella sativa (5٪), hypercholesterolemic diet (1٪) and hypercholesterolemic diet + Nigella sativa groups. Animal groups received their own diets and water and libitum for a period of 8 weeks. The results indicate that Nigella sativa diet only significantly increase numbers of platelet and do not effect on white and red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit and VII factors. Dietary use of Nigella sativa except increasing platelet number that may be causes increase coagulation don’t have effect on other hematologic factors. Thus these results call for more research on effect of different diet (hypercholesterolemic and normal diet) supplemented with Nigella sativa on different coagulation factors and hemostase system.