The Effect of Black Cumin Supplementation on the Level of Interferon-γ in Multibacillary Leprosy Patient under MDT-WHO Therapy

Background: Multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients have cellular immune response defects of M. leprae causing high bacillary load and a high number of skin lesions (≥5), thus causing the untreated MB leprosy patients to be the main transmission source of M. leprae. Elevated Th2 cytokine levels such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 are characteristic of lepromatous or multibacillary patients. While the level of Th1 cytokines is low, including Interferon-γ(IFNγ). IFNγ which is a major macrophage-activating cytokine, has a role in natural defense and cellular immunity against intracellular microbes such as M. leprae. Several studies have shown that black cumin can increase IFNγ production, thus having a potential effect on the cellular immune system, by stimulating Th1 and an an inhibitory effect on Th2 cells. Aim: To determine the effect of black cumin supplementation on the level of interferon-γ in multibacillary leprosy patient under MDT-WHO therapy Methods: This research is an experimental research with a randomized controlled design. A total of 44 MB leprosy patients were divided into 2 groups: (i) Placebo group, who received MDT-WHO and placebo (ii) Black cumin group, who received MDT-WHO and black cumin. The independent variables were the administration of MDT-WHO plus black cumin and MDT-WHO plus placebo, which was given for 2 months. The dependent variable was the IFNγ level. Results: The mean IFNγ levels after treatment were significantly higher in the black cumin group (p <0.0001) as were the mean delta values of IFNγ (p <0.05) than placebo. Conclusion: Supplementation with black cumin extract increases IFNγ levels in multibacillary type (MB) leprosy patients.