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Background <p>Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders and distressing climacteric symptoms due to estrogen withdrawal. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the gold standard, safety concerns and contraindications drive interest in herbal alternatives like Nigella sativa. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of Nigella sativa supplementation on menopausal symptoms and metabolic health.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 12, 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing Nigella sativa with placebo or standard care in postmenopausal women were included. Outcomes included menopausal symptoms, quality-of-life domains, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, hormonal levels, and other biochemical markers. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and effect sizes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool.</p> Results <p>Fourteen RCTs involving 1,126 women were included. Nigella sativa significantly improved physical menopausal symptoms (SMD: -0.50; 95% CI: -0.85 to -0.15; <i>p</i> = 0.005) but showed no significant impact on vasomotor, psychosocial, sexual, or total quality-of-life scores (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). In contrast, robust improvements were observed across metabolic markers: total cholesterol (SMD: -0.85; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), LDL cholesterol (SMD: -1.16; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.00001), triglycerides (SMD: -0.85; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and fasting blood glucose (SMD: -1.48; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.00001). HDL cholesterol also significantly increased (SMD: 0.42; <i>p</i> = 0.002). Serum estradiol levels showed a modest increase (SMD: 0.52; <i>p</i> = 0.02).</p> Conclusion <p>Nigella sativa supplementation may improve lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and physical symptom scores in postmenopausal women, while evidence for vasomotor, psychosocial, sexual, and overall quality-of-life outcomes remains limited.</p>

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The Impact of Nigella sativa on Metabolic Health and Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月29日

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  • Ahmed S. Mohamed,
  • Walaa Ahmed Elsayed,
  • Dalia Mohamed Ibrahim,
  • Manar Ahmed AbdElfattah,
  • Mohamed Wagdy,
  • Mazen Kafienah,
  • Rana Jaffal,
  • Enas A. Amaireh

摘要

Background

Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders and distressing climacteric symptoms due to estrogen withdrawal. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the gold standard, safety concerns and contraindications drive interest in herbal alternatives like Nigella sativa. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of Nigella sativa supplementation on menopausal symptoms and metabolic health.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 12, 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing Nigella sativa with placebo or standard care in postmenopausal women were included. Outcomes included menopausal symptoms, quality-of-life domains, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, hormonal levels, and other biochemical markers. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and effect sizes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool.

Results

Fourteen RCTs involving 1,126 women were included. Nigella sativa significantly improved physical menopausal symptoms (SMD: -0.50; 95% CI: -0.85 to -0.15; p = 0.005) but showed no significant impact on vasomotor, psychosocial, sexual, or total quality-of-life scores (p > 0.05). In contrast, robust improvements were observed across metabolic markers: total cholesterol (SMD: -0.85; p < 0.001), LDL cholesterol (SMD: -1.16; p < 0.00001), triglycerides (SMD: -0.85; p < 0.001), and fasting blood glucose (SMD: -1.48; p < 0.00001). HDL cholesterol also significantly increased (SMD: 0.42; p = 0.002). Serum estradiol levels showed a modest increase (SMD: 0.52; p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Nigella sativa supplementation may improve lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and physical symptom scores in postmenopausal women, while evidence for vasomotor, psychosocial, sexual, and overall quality-of-life outcomes remains limited.