Research Article

Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals

Volume: 27 Number: 4 December 25, 2025
TR EN

Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals

Abstract

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) leads to muscle fiber disruption, inflammation, and elevated biomarkers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and creatine kinase (CK). Effective recovery strategies are crucial to mitigate inflammation and accelerate muscle repair. Nigella sativa (NS), rich in thymoquinone, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its role in post-exercise IL-6 and CK regulation remains unclear. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of NS supplementation on IL-6 and CK levels following high-intensity eccentric exercise in 40 recreationally active males. Participants received either NS (500 mg twice daily for 7 days pre-exercise or a placebo. They performed an eccentric exercise protocol (Nosaka & Miyama model), with blood samples collected at baseline (T0), post-exercise (T1), and 24 hours post-exercise (T2). IL-6 and CK were analyzed using ELISA and an automated biochemical analyzer, and data were processed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Post-exercise, IL-6 and CK levels increased significantly in both groups, confirming an inflammatory response. However, IL-6 and CK levels were significantly lower in the NS group at both T1 and T2 (p < 0.001), indicating that NS supplementation effectively reduced inflammation and muscle damage. NS has the potential to act as a natural anti-inflammatory and muscle-protective agent, similar to BCAAs, curcumin, and omega-3. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage, long-term effects, and possible synergies with other recovery strategies.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Universitas Negeri SUrabaya

Ethical Statement

This study followed ethical standards and received approval from the Health Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, and has been deemed ethically acceptable with the identity number: 104/EA/KEPK/2023, dated May 10, 2023

Thanks

The authors wish to acknowledge the Sports Science and Health Faculty, Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) for the research grant in conducting this work. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the support and collaboration of the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, whose team provided valuable technical assistance and laboratory facilities throughout the research process

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Medicine, Physical Training and Sports, Exercise Physiology, Physical Activity and Health, Physical Fitness, Sports Nutrition

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 25, 2025

Submission Date

April 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 7, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 27 Number: 4

APA
Irawan, R., Bawono, M., Yuliastrid, D., Tualeka, A. R., & Alayyannur, P. (2025). Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals. Research in Sport Education and Sciences, 27(4), 252-263. https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1672140
AMA
1.Irawan R, Bawono M, Yuliastrid D, Tualeka AR, Alayyannur P. Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals. Research in Sport Education and Sciences. 2025;27(4):252-263. doi:10.62425/rses.1672140
Chicago
Irawan, Roy, Mokhamad Bawono, Dita Yuliastrid, Abdul Rohim Tualeka, and Putri Alayyannur. 2025. “Effects of Nigella Sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals”. Research in Sport Education and Sciences 27 (4): 252-63. https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1672140.
EndNote
Irawan R, Bawono M, Yuliastrid D, Tualeka AR, Alayyannur P (December 1, 2025) Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals. Research in Sport Education and Sciences 27 4 252–263.
IEEE
[1]R. Irawan, M. Bawono, D. Yuliastrid, A. R. Tualeka, and P. Alayyannur, “Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals”, Research in Sport Education and Sciences, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 252–263, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.62425/rses.1672140.
ISNAD
Irawan, Roy - Bawono, Mokhamad - Yuliastrid, Dita - Tualeka, Abdul Rohim - Alayyannur, Putri. “Effects of Nigella Sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals”. Research in Sport Education and Sciences 27/4 (December 1, 2025): 252-263. https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1672140.
JAMA
1.Irawan R, Bawono M, Yuliastrid D, Tualeka AR, Alayyannur P. Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals. Research in Sport Education and Sciences. 2025;27:252–263.
MLA
Irawan, Roy, et al. “Effects of Nigella Sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals”. Research in Sport Education and Sciences, vol. 27, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 252-63, doi:10.62425/rses.1672140.
Vancouver
1.Roy Irawan, Mokhamad Bawono, Dita Yuliastrid, Abdul Rohim Tualeka, Putri Alayyannur. Effects of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation and Muscle Damage in Recreationally Active Individuals. Research in Sport Education and Sciences. 2025 Dec. 1;27(4):252-63. doi:10.62425/rses.1672140

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