Effects of Nigella sativa seeds (black cumin) on insulin secretion and lipid profile: A pilot study in healthy volunteers.

It has been claimed that Nigella sativa seeds (NSS), also known as black cumin, have antidiabetic and lipid-lowering properties. Our pilot study investigated the effects of powdered NSS on insulin secretion and lipid profile in healthy male volunteers. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 4-week trial in 30 subjects, receiving NSS powder (1 g/day) or placebo orally (15 subjects/group).

Premature pubarche in Mediterranean girls: high prevalence of heterozygous CYP21 mutation carriers.

Aim: This study investigated the prevalence and consequences of heterozygous CYP21A2 mutations in premature pubarche (PP) girls.

Main Finding: We investigated 36 French Mediterranean girls with isolated PP. We performed synacthen testing with 17OHP and 21-deoxycortisol evaluation, along with molecular analysis of the CYP21A2 gene in girls with abnormal elevation of one of these two adrenal steroids.