Effects of Nigella sativa oil on Th1/Th2, cytokine balance, and improvement of asthma control in children
Journal Title: Paediatrica Indonesiana - Year 2017, Vol 57, Issue 5
Abstract
Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by involvement of a variety of inflammatory cells. Asthma is associated with imbalances between Th1/Th2 cells and their characteristic cytokine profiles. Nigella sativa is a plant that possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.Objective To investigate the potential anti-asthmatic effect of Nigella sativa oil on Th1/Th2 cells, IFN-ɣ/IL-4 cytokines, and improvement of asthma control.Methods Children aged 6-15 years with asthma in Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated based on standard treatment guidelines for asthma. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) was given per oral as supplementary treatment at a dose of 15-30 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks, in a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. Peripheral Th1 and Th2 cells were counted by flow cytometry and IFN-ɣ and IL-4 cytokines were measured by ELISA. Improvement of asthma control was assessed by the asthma control test (ACT) score.Results Twenty-eight patients completed the study, 14 in the NSO treatment group and 14 in standard treatment group. No significant differences were found in the number of Th1 and Th2 cells, or in the Th1/Th2 ratio between groups after treatment (P=0.074, P=0.481, and P=0.265, respectively). Compared to the control, the NSO group showed a significant elevation of IFN-ɣ (P=0.046) and reduction of IL-4 (P=0.002). At the end of study, ACT score was not significantly different between groups (P=0.413).Conclusion Supplementation with Nigella sativa oil improves IFN-ɣ/IL-4 balance and asthma control in children with asthma.
Authors and Affiliations
Wisnu Barlianto, Maria Rachmawati, Muhammad Irawan, Desy Wulandari
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP438264
- DOI 10.14238/pi57.5.2017.223-8
- Views 49
- Downloads 0
Mantoux tests of children in household contact with adult acid fast bacilli-positive or -negative pulmonary tuberculosis
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. In children, the major source of TB transmission is adults with pulmonary TB who have acid fast bacilli (AFB)-positive...
Visfatin levels in non-obese, obese, and insulin resistant adolescents
Background Adipose tissue is not merely a site for energy storage, but is also the largest endocrine organ, secreting various adipocytokines. Plasma visfatin, an adipocytokine predominantly secreted from visceral adipose...
Selenium for acute watery diarrhea in children
Background Acute watery diarrhea remains a major health problem affecting infants and children in developing countries. Selenium deficiency may be a risk factor for diarrhea and vice versa. Few studies have been conducte...
Host factors related to pneumonia in children under 5 years of age
Background Pneumonia has been one of the serious problems for children under five in Indonesia. Imbalanced interactions among host factors, agents, and environments influence incidence of pneumonia. Objective To determin...
Comparing sleep disorders in urban and suburban adolescents
Background Sleep disturbances commonly occur in adolescents. Socioeconomic levels, lifestyle, and urban or suburban environments influence the sleep patterns of adolescents. The modernization process in urban environment...