The Effectiveness of Nigella sativa and Ginger as Appetite Suppressants: An Experimental Study on Healthy Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background

Obesity is a global pandemic that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Natural herbs are commonly used for weight reduction and appetite suppression. Therefore, we aim to investigate the role and mechanism of Nigella sativa (NS) and ginger on weight reduction and appetite regulation.

Methods

This experimental study was performed at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Twenty-five female rats were distributed into 5 groups: NS (oral 1000mg/kg), Ginger (500 mg/kg), NS-ginger (both interventions), a positive control (intraperitoneal 50 μg/kg Liraglutide), and a negative control. Each intervention was given for 9 weeks. Food intake and body weight were assessed weekly. Serum lipid profile and peptides involved in appetite control (cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), ghrelin, peptide YY, and orexin) were assayed at the end of the experiment.

Results

None of the interventions showed a statistically significant difference regarding food consumption or weight gain (p > 0.05). However, the three interventions significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), NS and NS-ginger significantly increased HDL, NS increased ghrelin and ginger increased orexin.

Conclusion

The present dose and duration of NS, ginger, or in combination did not demonstrate a significant change in body weight or food consumption in comparison to the negative or positive controls. However, NS or ginger has improved the lipid profile by reducing TC and increasing HDL. In addition, NS or ginger can influence some of the peptides involved in appetite regulation such as the increase in ghrelin induced by NS and the reduction of orexin induced by ginger. We believe that these latter effects are novel and might indicate a promising effect of these natural products on appetite regulation.

Keywords:

• Nigella sativa
• ginger
• body weight
• appetite
• Liraglutide

Abbreviations

BMI, Body metabolic index; CCK, Cholecystokinin; CRH, Corticotropin-releasing hormones; ELISA, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; GIP, Gastric inhibitory polypeptide; GLP-1, Glucagon-like peptide-1; HDL, High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LSD, Least significant difference; NS, Nigella sativa; SD, Standard deviation; SPSS, Statistical Package for the Social Science.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, with the reference number IRB-UGS-2020-01-385.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the deanship of scientific research for funding the current work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The current research work was funded by the deanship of scientific research of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University with the grant number 2021-022-Med.