In postmenopausal females with primary osteoporosis and osteopenia, the combination of nanomicelle curcumin and Nigella sativa oil was safe and led to improvement in few bone turnover biomarkers.

A trial was performed to determine the effect of Nigella sativa oil (NS), nanomicelle curcumin (CUR) and their combination on the bone turnover biomarkers and explore their safety in postmenopausal females.

The study enrolled 120 postmenopausal females (age 50-65 years) with osteoporosis or osteopenia. In this triple-blind randomized controlled trial, participants were randomized (30 in each group) to get 1000 mg of NS, 80 mg of CUR, their combination (CUR-NS), or microcrystalline cellulose (placebo) for six months. The study participants were also given 500 mg calcium, 400 IU vitamin D supplements, and 70 mg alendronate.

Estimation of serum levels of osteopontin, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase was done at the baseline and after six months of intervention. In order to determine safety, an evaluation was done of the liver enzyme levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase as well as levels of urea and creatinine in serum.

Compared to the placebo group, the NS group and CUR-NS group exhibited a substantial drop in the levels of alkaline phosphatase. Even after adjusting the covariates, this effect was noted to be meaningful in CUR-NS treated participants.

The levels of osteocalcin reduced in the NS, CUR, and placebo groups. In all the groups, the concentration of osteopontin decreased. But, these intergroup differences were not profound for both the biomarkers. Assessment of the kidney metabolites and liver enzyme levels revealed no toxicity of the administered dosages.

The combination of nanomicelle curcumin and Nigella sativa appears to be useful to ameliorate  osteoporosis, a significant health concern of postmenopausal females. It improved few bone turnover markers and was safe at the current dose for supplementation in postmenopausal females.