Daily intake of Nigella sativa for 12 weeks is effective in the treatment of palmer arsenical keratosis
Depending on inclusion and exclusion criteria total 40 patients of palmer arsenical keratosis patients (both male and female; age range 18- 60 years) will be recruited from an arsenic affected area. Study population will be divided randomly into two equal groups: one group will receive vitamin E capsules (200 mg) plus placebo and another group will receive vitamin E capsule plus N. sativa capsules (500 mg) twice daily for 12 weeks. Drinking water (50 mL) and urine (50 mL) samples will be collected before starting the study and estimate the amount of total arsenic in order to confirm the diagnosis. Nail (approx. 1 g) and blood (5 mL) samples will be collected both before and completion of the study to see the efficacy and safety of the drug. Clinical examinations will be done at regular interval (two weeks). Clinical features and adverse effects will be recorded using a structured data collection sheet. Plasma cholesterol, vitamin E, and total antioxidant, serum transaminase, billirubin, creatinine levels and arsenic level in nail will be measured to evaluate the effectiveness of N. sativa on palmer arsenical keratosis patients
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
Vitamin E (200 mg, soft capsule)
Nigella sativa (200 mg, soft capsule)
Placebo (refined oil in soft capsule with same color and size like that contains N. sativa)
Department of Pharmacology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Clinical improvement of signs and symptoms of palmer arsenical keratosis
Signs and symptoms of palmer arsenical keratosis will be examined by one trained doctor at the temporary arsenic camp at regular interval (2 weeks). Another doctor will note the findings of the patient in the data collection sheet without informing the previous data to the former doctor. Signs and symptoms of moderate arsenical keratosis will be assessed by estimating the number and size of keratotic lesions and expressed into scoring.
Time frame: up to 12 weeks
Arsenic level in nails
Amount of arsenic in nails will be estimated by Atomic Fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) both before and after completion of treatment.
Time frame: 0 week (baseline), 12 weeks (end)
Estimation of serum vitamin E levels
To see any change in the concentration of plasma vitamin E levels after use of N.sativa capsules. This parameter will be estimated by spectrophotometric method.
Time frame: 0 week (baseline), 12 weeks (end)
Estimation of serum total cholesterol levels
To see any change in the concentration of serum cholesterol levels after use of N. sativa. This parameter will be estimated by spectrophotometric method.
Time frame: 0 week (baseline), 12 weeks (end)
Liver function
To see any change in the concentration of serum bilirubin, transaminase levels after use of N. sativa. These parameters will be estimated by spectrophotometric method.
Time frame: 0 week (baseline), 12 weeks (end)
Renal function
To see any change in the concentration of blood urea and serum creatinine levels after use of N. sativa. These parameters will be estimated by spectrophotometric method.
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Time frame: 0 week (baseline), 12 weeks (end)