IL6 and Arthritis: Our specific aims were to (1) evaluate the safety of Nigella sativa oil by acute toxicity study, (2) determine the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of Nigella sativa oil by measuring paw edema, % inhibition of paw edema and arthritis score, (3) evaluate the anti-nociceptive effects of Nigella sativa oil and (4) assess the effect of Nigella sativa on plasma biomarkers by examining levels of IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin and total cholesterol (TC).