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Abstract
In this study, antiviral effect of black seed oil (BSO) from Nigella sativa was investigated
using murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) as a model. The viral load and innate immunity
mediated by NK cells and Mφ during early stage of the infection were analyzed.
Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of BSO to BALB/c mice, a susceptible strain
of MCMV infection, strikingly inhibited the virus titers in spleen and liver on day
3 of infection with 1x10(5) PFU MCMV. This effect coincided with an increase in serum
level of IFN-gamma. Although BSO treatment decreased both number and cytolytic function
of NK cells on day 3 of infection, it increased numbers of Mφ and CD4(+) T cells.
On day 10 of infection, the virus titer was undetectable in spleen and liver of BSO-treated
mice, while it was detectable in control mice. Although spleen of both control and
BSO-treated mice showed similar CTL activities on day 10 after infection, serum level
of IFN-gamma in BSO-treated mice was higher. Furthermore, BSO treatment upregulated
suppressor function of Mφ in spleen. These results show that BSO exhibited a striking
antiviral effect against MCMV infection which may be mediated by increasing of Mφ
number and function, and IFN-gamma production.