Table 2.

Characteristics of human studies of Nigella sativa seeds.

Area	Author (date)	Subjects	Intervention	Dosage	Duration	Results
Amelioration of oxidative stress	Farhangi et al. [45]	Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients (n = 23 per group)	Nigella sativa capsules	1 g/day	8 weeks	Significant increase in serum TAC, SOD, and reduction in MDA.
Glycemic control	Hebatallah et al. [46]	T2DM patients (n = 21 per group)	Nigella sativa capsules	1.35 g/day	3 months	Amelioration of IR and significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TC, LDL, HDL, TG, and TAC comparable to metformin.
Anti-inflammation	Hadi et al. [47]	Rheumatoid arthritis patients (n = 23 per group)	Nigella sativa oil capsules	1 g/day	8 weeks	(1) Significant reduction of serum MDA, NO, and IL-10 compared with that of the placebo group. (2) No significant differences in serum TNF-α, SOD, catalase, and TAC compared with that of the placebo group.
Gastric protection	Mahvash et al. [48]	H. pylori-infected patients (n = 24 per group)	Nigella sativa capsules	2 g/day	8 weeks	(1) Significant increase in the H. pylori eradication rate compared with that of the placebo group. (2) Significant decrease in dyspepsia symptoms (postprandial fullness, gastric pain, or burning and bloating). (3) Significant increase in dietary-intake, weight, and body mass index and improvement in physical health.
Liver protection	Khonche et al. [49]	Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients (n = 60 per group)	Nigella sativa oil	2.5 mL/day	3 months	(1) Significant improvement in hepatic steatosis compared with that of the placebo group. (2) Significant increase in ALT, AST, LDL, HDL, and TG compared with that of the placebo group.
Kidney protection	Mohammad et al. [50]	Patients with renal stones (n = 27 per group)	Nigella sativa capsules	1 g/day	10 weeks	Significant reduction in the stone size as compared with the placebo.
Lung protection	Abdulrahman et al. [51]	Asthmatic patients (n = 40 per group)	Nigella sativa oil capsules	1 g/day	4 weeks	Significant improvement in asthma symptoms and pulmonary functions as compared with the placebo.