Immunomodulatory Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil Treatment in Iron Deficiency Anemia Caused by Refractory Coeliac Disease

The purpose of this study was to assess the hematological, immunological and histological profiles of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) caused by refractory coeliac disease (CD) after commencing Nigella sativa (NS) oil with gluten free diet (GFD) for a period of 1 year to prove its immunomodulatory effect in these conditions. Eighteen adult unexplained IDA patients diagnosed as CD patients were recruited in the study after performing endoscopy and duodenal biopsy in addition to hematological and serological assessment before and after treatment of GFD alone or with NS oil capsules for a period of 1 year. Duodenal biopsies were interpreted histologically according to modified Marsh criteria and the sera were tested for antigliadin antibodies (AGA), endomysium antibodies (EMA), and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG). The response to gluten withdrawal plus NS oil for a period of 1 year in unexplained IDA patients caused by refractory CD was better than GFD alone with significant response of hematological parameters, serological markers, and histological changes. Using NS oil in addition to GFD as treatment of IDA associated with refractory CD effectively elevates the levels of all hematological parameters due to complete duodenal histology remission and complete absence of serological CD antibodies.