This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic powder (GP) black seed (BS) and plant premix (GP and BS) in the diet on broiler growth performance and intestinal morphology. included 480 Hubbard broiler chicks(day-old). There were 4 treatment groups each consisting of 3 replicates. The four dietary treatments consisted of a control (basal diet), basal diet +0.5% GP, basal diet +0.5% BS and basal diet +0.5% (GP and BS), to the starter and finisher diet. The experiment lasted 42 days. Body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were determined weekly and intestinal morphology was determined at the end of the study (42 day). The addition of GP and BS plant premix (GP and BS) to the diet resulted in significantly higher body weight, body weight gain and feed intake than control group. However, feed conversion ratio was not influenced by dietary treatment (P>0.05). The villus height, crypt depth and crypt depth to villus height ratio was significantly higher in Black seed and plant premix (GP and BS) than other groups. While villus height, crypt depth and crypt depth to villus height ratio were lower in the control group compared to the other groups (P-value). It was found that the goblet cells were not affected by any treatment. Based on the results of this study it could be suggested to supplement broiler feed with 0.5% GP.

Introduction: Therapeutics, especially medical plants with minimum side-effects are of high value in preventing vascular complications of diabetes mellitus in long term. Considering the evidences about the anti-diabetic effects of NIGELLA. SATIVUM (NS), the current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral two-month administration of NS on the contractile reactivity of isolated aorta in male diabetic rats.Material & Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=32) were randomly divided into control, NS-treated control, diabetic, and NS-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, streptozotcin (STZ) was intraperitoneally administered. The treatment groups were received oral administration of NS-mixed pelleted food (6.25%) for two months. After two months, the contractile reactivity of aortic rings to KCl and noreadrenaline was determined using isolated tissue setup.Results: Contractile response to cumulative KCl and noreadrenaline followed a dose-dependent pattern in aortic rings in all groups. In addition, the maximum contractile reactivity was significantly higher in the diabetic group compared to the control one (p<0.0001).Meanwhile, this response was lower in NS-treated diabetic group in comparison with untreated diabetic group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Long-term oral administration of NIGELLA. SATIVUM attenuated the enhanced vascular responsiveness in diabetes mellitus and some developed cardiovascular complications due to diabetes.

Introduction[1]Garlic (Allium SATIVUM L.) and black seed (NIGELLA sativa L.) are medicinal plants with diverse applications. Intercropping, a sustainable agricultural practice, can enhance land productivity, reduce pests and diseases, and improve soil fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different intercropping ratios and sowing methods on garlic yield and physiological traits by creating a favourable microclimate. The experiment was conducted in Dezful, Iran, a region with a semi-arid climate, to evaluate how these factors influence garlic growth and productivity. The study focused on optimizing resource use efficiency and understanding the competitive dynamics between garlic and black seed in mixed cropping systems. Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted during the 2021-2022 growing season in Dezful, Iran, at 32°16' N latitude and 48°25' E longitude, with an elevation of 82.9 meters above sea level. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included combinations of four sowing methods (ridge, furrow, ridge-furrow, and flat planting) and five intercropping ratios (100% black seed, 75% black seed + 25% garlic, 50% black seed + 50% garlic, 25% black seed + 75% garlic, and 100% garlic). The volume of the garlic bulb was measured using a graduated cylinder containing a specific amount of water. By submerging the garlic bulb into the graduated cylinder and recording the increase in the water volume, the volume of the garlic bulb was calculated. Garlic cloves were pre-chilled at 4°C for five days before planting. Black seed was sown at a depth of 1 cm, and garlic at 3.5 cm, with row and plant spacings of 50 cm and 12 cm, respectively. Fertilization included 125 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen (applied in three stages) and 100 kg.ha-1 of phosphorus. Irrigation, weeding, and thinning were performed as needed. Measured traits included leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll index (SPAD), plant height, leaf dimensions, stem diameter, bulb volume, clove number, bulb weight, and yield. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and means were compared using the LSD test at a 5% significance level. Results and DiscussionThe results revealed significant effects of intercropping ratios and sowing methods on garlic traits. The highest garlic yield (15,003 kg.ha-1) was achieved in sole garlic cultivation with the ridge-furrow method (GRF100), followed by flat planting (GP100) and furrow planting (GF100). Mixed cropping with higher black seed ratios (75%) significantly reduced garlic yield, indicating intense interspecies competition.Leaf Area Index (LAI): The highest LAI (0.200) was observed in the treatment with 75% black seed in furrows and 25% garlic on ridges (BF75+GR25), while the lowest LAI (0.023) occurred in the 25% black seed + 75% garlic ratio on ridges (BR25+GR75). • Chlorophyll Index (SPAD): The highest SPAD value (61.4) was recorded for black seed on ridges and garlic in furrows (BR75+GF25), suggesting better light and nutrient conditions in this arrangement.Bulb Traits: The highest bulb weight (66.7 g) and volume (101 cm³) were observed in sole garlic under flat planting (GP100). Intercropping, especially with high black seed ratios, negatively affected bulb traits.The highest stem diameter of garlic was observed in flat planting of garlic (GP100), while most of the ridge planting treatments showed smaller stem diameters.Yield: The ridge-furrow method (GRF100) outperformed other treatments, likely due to improved soil aeration and reduced competition. Mixed cropping at a 50:50 ratio with black seed on ridges and garlic in furrows (BR50+GF50) showed the lowest competition index (0.50) and the highest land equivalent ratio (1.20), indicating efficient resource use.The lowest competition index and the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) were observed when black seed was planted on ridges and garlic in furrows, with an equal plant ratio (50%-50%). ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that sole garlic cultivation, particularly in ridge-furrow or flat planting systems, maximizes yield and bulb quality. However, intercropping garlic with black seed at a 50:50 ratio, with black seed on ridges and garlic in furrows (BR50+GF50), offers a sustainable alternative by balancing yield and resource efficiency. This arrangement minimized competition and optimized land use, making it suitable for farmers seeking diversified and economically viable cropping systems. Future research should explore nutrient management and irrigation strategies to further enhance the productivity of intercropping systems.  

Introduction: There are some reports about Anti-Diabetic effect of black seed in Islamic and traditional medicine. Therefore, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of this medicinal plant was investigated. Objective: Survey the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of chronic oral administration of NIGELLA Sativa in diabetic rat. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=44) were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control, black seed-treated control, diabetic, and black seed-treated diabetic. For induction of diabetes, Streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/Kg; i.p.) was used at a single dose intraperitoneal. A serum glucose level higher than 250 mg/dl was considered as diabetic state. The treatment groups received oral administration of black seed-mixed pelleted food (6.25%) for two months.Results: The results showed there were significant increase in serum glucose level in diabetic group 4 and 8 weeks after interventation as compared with the week before periment (P<0.001), Although there were no significant difference between same groups at the same time NIGELLA SATIVUM treatment of diabetic rats did not show any significant effect. In addition, Also, triglyceride level in diabetic group increased 8 weeks after interventation in comparison with related data one week before the study (P<0.05) and there was a significant lower level of triglyceride in NIGELLA SATIVUM-treated diabetic rats (p<0.05). Furthermore, a similar high significant reduction was obtained for black seed treated-diabetic group as compared to diabetic group regarding serum cholesterol level (p<0.05).Conclusion; The obtained results demonstrated that oral chronic administration of NIGELLA SATIVUM could significantly reduce Serum Triglyceride and Cholesterol Level in Diabetic rats and this may reduce some Diabetic complications.

This study examined the dietary impacts of essential oils from garlic (Allium SATIVUM), black seed (NIGELLA sativa), and black caraway (Carum carvi) on the hematological and immunological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A total of 200 fish, each with an average initial weight of 225 ± 10 g, were divided into five groups, each consisting of three replicates with 40 fish per group. The fish were fed for eight weeks with a diet supplemented with 0.2% of the herbal essential oils, while a control group received an unsupplemented diet. The hematological indices, including hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs), and immune responses, including serum lysozyme and complement levels (C3 and C4), were studied. The analysis showed no significant differences in erythrocyte indices or leukocyte profiles between the control group and the groups receiving essential oils (p>0.05). The control group exhibited the highest values for RBC, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Hct, and WBC, while the highest percentages of lymphocytes and monocytes were found in the black seed and black caraway groups, respectively. On day 28 of the experiment, there were no significant differences in lysozyme activity among the control and treatments (p>0.05), while a significant difference was observed for black caraway essential oil on day 56 (p<0.05). A significant difference between the control group and all treatments was reported for C3 value on day 28 (p<0.05). Comparisons from days 28 to 56 indicated significant changes for the control versus mixed essential oil, garlic essential oil, and black caraway essential oil (p<0.05). C4 and plasma protein values showed no significant differences between the control group and treatments on both days (p>0.05), however, significant differences were noted when comparing values from days 28 and 56 for the control and treatments of mixed essential oil, black seed essential oil, and black caraway essential oil (p<0.05). The results of this study demonstrated that dietary garlic essential oil significantly enhanced immune functions and TNF-α expression levels in rainbow trout compared to black caraway or black seed essential oils (p<0.05). However, all essential oils boosted immune parameters like lysozyme activity and complement levels, but garlic essential oil showed the most promising results.

Extended abstract Introduction: Deterioration reduces the quality of seeds. Oilseeds like NIGELLA are highly susceptible to seed aging. Seed priming enhances the quality of deteriorated seeds by improving germination indices and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This research aimed to investigate the extent of damage caused by accelerated aging treatment on the germination characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activity of NIGELLA seeds and the possibility of mitigating the adverse effects of aging through hormonal priming with cytokinin. Materials and methods: This research was carried out in the form of a completely random basic design with four replications in the seed technology laboratory of Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2017. The treatments included hormonal priming with cytokinin at five levels (0 (control), 10, 20, 40, and 80 m/l) for two durations (12 and 24 hours), and aging under 100% relative humidity and a temperature of 45 °C at five levels (no aging, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h). Results: The analysis of variance results indicated that germination indices were only influenced by main and two-way effects at the 5% and 1% probability levels, while the three-way interactions, including aging, hormone concentration, and priming duration, were significant for plant growth and longitudinal and weight indices at the 1% probability level. Furthermore, it was evident that the priming treatment mitigated the negative effects of aging, with the concentration of 10 milligrams per liter of cytokinin for a duration of 12 h having the most significant impact among the hormone concentrations used on the measured traits. The highest germination percentage (88%) and the lowest germination percentage (63.33%) were observed at concentrations of 10 and 80 mg/l, respectively. The use of cytokinin at optimal concentration improved catalase activity and protein levels. The results showed that in the control conditions, the activity of the catalase enzyme was 0.76 units per mg of protein and the amount of protein was 0.51 mg/g, which reached 0.97 units per mg of protein and 0.79 mg/g with seed priming. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained from this research, aging led to a reduction in germination indices, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and seed protein content. The best treatment applied was cytokinin hormone priming for aged NIGELLA seeds at a concentration of 10 mg/l for 12 h. According to the results, the application of cytokinin at its optimal concentration (10 mg/l) improved the catalase enzyme activity and protein content. Therefore, it can be suggested that hormonal priming with cytokinin helps mitigate the adverse effects of aging in NIGELLA plants. Highlights: The impact of hormonal priming with cytokinin at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/L on aged NIGELLA seeds was investigated. The use of a concentration of 10 mg/l of cytokinin hormone for 12 hours was introduced as the best treatment. Cytokinin was introduced as a significant hormone that enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes and physiological traits in aged NIGELLA seeds.