Abstract
In this study with rats, the influence of a dietary black cumin seed on both serum proteins and blood cell counts was determined. Rats were fed a diet either without or with 15% black cumin seed for 9 weeks. At the end of the experiment, body weights were similar for the two groups of rats. The containing black cumin seed slightly but significantly, lowered the concentration of plasma total proteinsbut did not affect the concentrations of albumin, globulins and hemoglobin. The numers of white and red blood cells were affected by black cumin seed in the diet and so was the the composition of white blood cells in terms of neutrophis, lymphocytes and monocytes. After comparing the results of this study with those of studies found in the literature data, it is concluded that black cumin seed has clear effects on serum proteins and blood cells only in rats that are exposed to toxic agents.