# Oral Nigella sativa Oil Modulates Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-10, Improves Neurological Function, and Reduces Neuronal Necrosis after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats
> Hayadi A.H.G.

URL kanonis: https://discover.unhas.ac.id/publications/pub_scopus_105049083422
Jurnal / Konferensi: Indonesian Biomedical Journal
Tahun terbit: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18585/inabj.v18i4.4294
ISSN: 20853297
Kuartil SJR: Q3
Citations: 0

## Authors
- Hayadi A.H.G.

## Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is primarily directed toward preventing secondary brain injury, while specific pharmacological therapies targeting post-traumatic neuroinflammation remain limited. Bioactive constituents of Nigella sativa, particularly thymoquinone, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may modulate mechanisms involved in secondary brain injury. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of oral N. sativa oil on serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 levels as inflammatory parameters, neurological function and necrosis in a rat model of TBI.METHODS: Sixteen male Wistar rats underwent Marmarou weight-drop TBI and were randomly assigned into two groups given either oral N. sativa oil or distilled water (n=8/group) for 7 days. Serum IL-1β and IL-10 concentrations were measured using rat-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and neurological function was assessed using the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) at post-injury baseline and on treatment day-1, -3, and -7. After day-7, brain tissue was examined using hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining, and necrotic-cell count was assessed.RESULTS: IL-1β concentrations were significantly lower in the N. sativa group from day-1 onward, whereas IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher and mNSS scores were significantly lower from day-3 onward. By day-3, all three outcomes differed significantly: lower IL-1β (56.38±10.21 vs. 111.98±47.64 pg/mL; p=0.013), higher IL-10 (102.38±33.42 vs. 40.20±6.02 pg/mL; p=0.001), and lower mNSS (median: 4 (3-5) vs. 5 (5-6); p=0.003) than placebo group. These differences persisted through day-7, which also supported by lower necrotic-cell counts in the N. sativa group (3164.13±771.38 vs. 4028.38±204.58; p=0.008).CONCLUSION: Administration of oral N. sativa oil shifted the circulating cytokine profile toward an anti-inflammatory pattern and was accompanied by better neurological function and fewer neuronal necrosis after TBI. These findings suggest that N. sativa oil may have beneficial effect on neuroinflammation after TBI.KEYWORDS: Nigella sativa, traumatic brain injury, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-10, neuroinflammation, modified Neurological Severity Score

## Keywords
- Nigella sativa
- Medicine
- Cannabis sativa
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neuroinflammation
- Pharmacology
- Placebo
- Anesthesia
- Tumor necrosis factor alpha
- Oral administration
- Neuroprotection
- Internal medicine
- Necrosis
- Cytokine
- Inflammation
- Antioxidant
- Hippocampus
- Rat model
- Physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical trial
- Central nervous system
- Endocrinology
- Brain damage
- Adult male
- Pathology
- Randomized controlled trial

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Sumber: Discover Unhas — RIMS Universitas Hasanuddin.
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