Comparative Study between Plant and Animal Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Their Potential Role of Regulating Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile in Healthy Volunteers

Objective: This study is aimed to compare Omega-3 fatty acid of animal source (Shark liver oil=SLO) and plant source (Nigella Sativa=NS) in their potential hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects through measuring total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and other possible effect on serum electrolytes including serum calcium, sodium and potassium in healthy volunteers. Methods: The current study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology –UST. Eighteen healthy students (age 23-31 years) participated as volunteers. Nigella Sativa (Phenomenale 1200 mg/day) was taken for 2 weeks. Washout period for 2 weeks was done. Then SLO (500mg/day) was taken for another 2 weeks. Results: The effect of Nigella Sativa (NS) and shark liver oil (SLO) on different parameters was measured. It was shown that NS had significantly (P‹ 0.05) reduced Fasting Blood Sugar level from 4.80±0.065 mmol/l in control group to 4.46±0.153 mmol/l in NS group. Both NS and SLO produced insignificant change (P› 0.05) in total cholesterol and LDL-c as compared with control. On the other hand, SLO resulted in significant increase in FBS and Total Glycerides as compared with control and NS group. Moreover, NS had resulted in significant increasing in serum sodium as compared with the control and SLO groups. Conclusion: Both drugs have omega-3 fatty acid in their component; in addition NS has also omega-6 fatty acid. NS showed antidiabetic activity as it significantly reduced FBS. There is no change in lipid profiles of NS group in normal volunteers.