Long-term effects of black seed and garlic oil on the offspring of two consecutive pregnancies in rats

The present study was undertaken to assess the long-term consumption of the seeds of Nigella sativa L., also known as black seed and garlic by the female rats on the fecundity and gender ratio of their male and female offspring for two consecutive pregnancies, locomotory behavioural activities of offspring and on some important blood chemistry parameters of the offspring at adolescent age. The dose of black seed oil or garlic oil (0.8 ml per day) was administered orally and daily through gavage to the females until the weaning age offspring of second pregnancy. The offspring (at PD28 age) were subjected to the locomotory test and subsequently their serum analysis was done to measure the level of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT or AST), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT or ALT), cholesterol (HDLP), triglycerides (TG), and glucose (GLU). It was observed that black seed consumption increased the fecundity (total number of offspring) in both pregnancies. The number of male offspring increased significantly whereas the number of female offspring remained unaffected in both pregnancies. On the contrary, garlic showed no change in the sex ratio of offspring. Male offspring of the mothers consuming black seed oil were comparatively more active than the offspring of mothers consuming garlic oil. However, female offspring of mothers consuming both black seed and garlic oils were significantly active as compared to the controls. Black seed and garlic oil consumption by the mothers had a lowering effect on the level of TG, GOT, GPT and GLU in the serum of the offspring of both pregnancies, whereas no change was observed on the level of serum HDLP. Thus it is concluded that these two indigenous plant sources of herbal therapies may prove beneficial to the offspring if consumed by their mothers before and during pregnancies. However, further similar studies on larger sample of animals are warranted.