Nigella sativa (NS) is a native herb consumed habitually in several countries worldwide, possessing manifold therapeutic properties. Among them, anti-inflammatory features have been reported, presumably relating to mechanisms involved in the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway, among others. Given the observed association between neuroimmune factors and mental illness, the primary aim of the present study was to examine the effects of chronic NS use on manic-like behavior in rats, as well as analyze levels of brain inflammatory mediators following NS intake. Using male and female rats, baseline tests were performed; thereafter, rats were fed either regular food (control) or NS-containing food (treatment) for four weeks. Following intervention, behavioral tests were induced (an open field test, sucrose consumption test, three-chamber sociality test, and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity test). Subsequently, brain samples were extracted, and inflammatory mediators were evaluated, including interleukin-6, leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear phosphorylated-p65. Our findings show NS to result in a marked antimanic-like effect, in tandem with a positive modulation of select inflammatory mediators among male and female rats. The findings reinforce the proposed therapeutic advantages relating to NS ingestion.

Background: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is a severe cutaneous reaction with a high mortality rate. It is challenging to diagnose due to its similar presentation to infectious disease syndromes, variation with the culprit drug, and lack of awareness. Methods: We searched PubMed, and Embase, for RegiSCAR-scored observational studies, the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) for adverse event reports, and the Allele Frequency Net Database (AFND) for HLA allele frequency. In our meta-analysis, we employed a random effects model to subgroup patients by ethnicity to determine the proportion of DRESS cases compared with various associated medications. Additionally, we identified a correlation between the proportion of cases and the presence of the HLA*A-32:01allele, which is suspected to predispose individuals to DRESS. Results: Twenty-one studies on 1949 DRESS cases in vancomycin and 2558 antimicrobial DRESS reports in the FAERS database were analyzed. Meta-analysis showed a 27% incidence of vancomycin-DRESS, with Caucasians having the highest proportion at 36%. The median latency for symptom onset was 21 days, with no female predisposition. The proportional incidence of vancomycin-DRESS did not correlate with the HLA-A*32:01 allele. The adjusted ROR for vancomycin was 2.40 compared to other antimicrobials, and the risk increased by 77% with concurrent antimicrobials. Piperacillin/tazobactam had a similar DRESS reporting risk at 0.95 (95%CI: 0.88–1.02). Conclusions: Vancomycin significantly contributes to the incidence of DRESS and is more closely related to ethnicity than to allele frequency, indicating that the HLA-A*32:01 allele may not be directly involved. Furthermore, the use of other antimicrobials can influence the reaction, underscoring the need to minimize antimicrobial use for better coverage.