Significance of Nigella sativa as Immunomodulator for Treatment of Refractory Coeliac Disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunological and histological profiles of adult coeliac patients after combining Nigella sativa (NS) oil with a gluten-free diet (GFD) for one year and one month to demonstrate its efficacy in the treatment of refractory coeliac disease (CD). Nigella sativa possesses many active constituents and properties which mankind has been using since several decades for improving health conditions and fighting against various diseases, including dyspepsia, ulcers, inflammation, diabetes, and even cancers among many. This study included 32 untreated adult coeliac patients (14 females, 18 males, median age, 28 years; range, 18-66 years) referred to Medical City Hospitals in Baghdad, during a period of five years. Patients were diagnosed as CD patients after performing duodenal biopsy on the bases of clinical history and serological assessment, including AGA, EMA, tTG antibodies testing. Duodenal biopsies were interpreted histologically according to modified Marsh criteria and the sera were tested for antigliadin antibody (AGA), anti tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG) and endomysium antibody (EMA).

The response to gluten withdrawal with NS oil for a period of 1 year ± 1 month in CD patients was better than GFD alone with significant response to serological markers. It is concluded that combining NS oil and GFD in the treatment of CD can result in complete histological recovery and the absence of CD antibodies. Finally, the findings of this study may help to provide a scientific foundation for the immunotherapeutic use of NS in the clinical management of refractory CD patients.