Therapeutic potential of the volatile oil ofNigella sativa seeds in monkey model with experimental shigellosis

Abstract

The volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds was prominent in in vitro anti-shigella activity against eight multiple drug resistant strains of Shigella flexneri. The anti-shigella activity against Shigella flexneri Y SH-4 was observed in the sera of monkeys after 45–60 min of oral administration of the oil. It exhibited promising in vivo anti-shigella activity against the same strain when tested in monkey models with experimental shigellosis, fully curing the infected monkeys within 3 days. The rectal swabs of the experimental groups became free of the challenge organism on day 3 of treatment with the volatile oil. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.