Effects of Nigella sativa on outcome of hepatitis C in Egypt

Table 1 Clinical assessment data at baseline and after treatment n (%)

Characteristic	Baseline	After treatment	P value
Hepato and/or splenomegaly	19 (63.30)	19 (63.30)
Jaundice	8 (26.70)	5 (16.70)	0.25
Palmar erythema	10 (33.30)	8 (26.70)	0.5
Spider naevi	8 (26.70)	4 (13.30)	0.125
Lower limb edema	16 (53.30)	7 (23.30)	0.004
Clinically detected ascites	13 (43.30)	8 (26.70)	0.063

After treatment: 3 mo Nigella sativa treatment. McNemar’s test was used to compare categorical data overtime.

Table 2 Laboratory data assessment at baseline and after treatment

Parameter	Base line	After 3 mo treatment	P value
Hemoglobin (g%)	11.8 ± 2.1	12.2 ± 2.2	0.1
RBCs (× 106/μL)	4.13 ± 0.9	4.3 ± 0.9	0.001
WBCs (× 103/μL)	6.4 ± 2.1	5.6 ± 2.2	0.013
Platelets (× 103/μL)	167.7 ± 91.2	198.5 ± 103	0.004
Hematocrit (%)	35.5 ± 6.3	37.3 ± 6.3	0.056
ALT (IU/L)	35.0 ± 15.7	41 ± 24.4	0.255
AST (IU/L)	40.9 ± 30.4	46.8 ± 32.2	0.307
Total protein (g/dL)	7.1 ± 0.7	7.5 ± 0.8	0.001
Albumin (g/dL)	3.5 ± 0.9	3.69 ± 0.9	0.008
Direct bilirubin (mg/dL)	0.5 ± 0.8	0.57 ± 1.5	0.745
Total bilirubin (mg/dL)	1.46 ± 1.5	1.36 ± 1.3	0.428
Prothrombin time (s)	14.1 ± 2.7	13.8 ± 2.2	0.562
INR	1.18 ± 0.2	1.2 ± 0.2	0.974
BUN (mg/dL)	13.5 ± 6.2	14.1 ± 5	0.540
Creatinin (mg/dL)	0.99 ± 0.4	0.88 ± 0.2	0.102
Serum AFP (IU/mL)	5.07 ± 1.8	4.67 ± 2.3	0.194
Sodium (mmole/L)	135.5 ± 6.1	133.5 ± 6	0.064
Potassium (mmole/L)	4.1 ± 0.5	4 ± 0.5	0.350
TAC (mmol/L)	1.35 ± 0.5	1.61 ± 0.6	0.001
Fasting blood sugar (mg/dL)	104.03 ± 43.4	92.1 ± 31.3	0.001
Post prandial blood sugar (mg/dL)	143.67 ± 72.6	112.1 ± 42.9	0.001
PCR (copies)	380808.7 ± 610937	147028.2 ± 475225.6	0.001

Paired t-test for all parameters, median test (equivalent to Wilcoxon matched pairs test) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) levels. RBCs: Red blood cells; WBCs: White blood cells; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; INR: International normalized ratio; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; AFP: α-fetoprotein; TAC: Total antioxidant capacity.

Table 3 Polymerase chain reaction response after treatment n (%)

Total responders	5 (16.67)
Chronic liver disease	3
Compensated cirrhosis	1
Decompensated cirrhosis	1
Total partial responders	15 (50)
Chronic liver disease	5
Compensated cirrhosis	4
Decreased 1 log	1
Decreased 2 log	3
Decompensated cirrhosis	61
Total non-responders	10 (33.33)
Chronic liver disease	7
Compensated cirrhosis
Decompensated cirrhosis	3

¹Patients decreased polymerase chain reaction (PCR) but in same log. Non-responders: Patients did not show a decrease or showed an increase in PCR after 3 mo treatment with Nigella sativa (N. sativa); Responders: Patients became seronegative after 3 mo treatment with N. sativa; Partial responders: Patients showed a decrease in PCR but were still seropositive after 3 mo treatment with N. sativa.

Table 4 Child-Pugh score at baseline and after 3 mo in patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis

Patients	Child-Pugh score at baseline	Child-Pugh score after 3 mo of treatment	HCV RNA (PCR) response
1	B	B	Partial responder
2	C	B	Partial responder
3	A	A	Partial responder
4	B	B	Partial responder
5	A	A	Partial responder
6	C	C	Partial responder
7	C	B	Non- responder
8	C	B	Partial responder
9	A	A	Responder
10	B	B	Non-responder
11	C	B	Partial responder
12	B	A	Responder
13	C	B	Non-responder
14	A	A	Partial responder
15	A	A	Partial responder

HCV: Hepatitis C virus; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction.