摘要：Background: Regular moderate intensity physical activity and lipid lowering effects of Nigella sativa ( N. sativa ) supplementation may be appropriate management for sedentary overweight females. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of long-term N. sativa supplementation and aerobic training on lipid profile and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in sedentary overweight females. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, which was conducted in Kerman city (Iran), 20 sedentary overweight females were divided into two groups and assigned to N. sativa supplementation ( N. sativa capsules) or a placebo for the 8 weeks, both groups participated in an aerobic training program (3 times/week). Each N. sativa capsule contained 500 ± 10 mg N. sativa crushed seeds and subjects had to take 2 g N. sativa per day for 8 weeks. Blood lipids and VO2 max were determined at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks. Results: N. sativa supplementation lowered total cholesterol (TC) ( P < 0.01), triglyceride ( P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ( P < 0.001) and body mass index ( P < 0.01) and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) and VO2 max ( P < 0.01). Aerobic training program lowered TC ( P < 0.001) and LDL ( P < 0.01) and increased VO2 max ( P < 0.01). Furthermore, we observed a significant effect of aerobic training program and N. sativa supplementation lowered LDL and HDL ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that 8-week aerobic training plus N. sativa supplementation have a synergistic effect in improve profile lipid parameters.
