Integrated in silico modeling and in vivo trials to investigate the functional role of Nigella sativa seeds as a feed additive for enhancing performance, physiology, and stress resilience in heat-stressed Farâfra lambs.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Heat stress substantially impairs physiological stability and immunological competence in livestock, posing a major challenge to productivity and sustainability-particularly in young lambs with high nutritional and economic value. Nigella sativa, renowned for its powerful immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, represents a promising natural intervention.

AIM OF THIS STUDY: Investigates the efficacy of Nigella sativa seeds as a functional nutritional supplement to enhance growth performance, strengthen antioxidant defenses, boost immune responsiveness, and improve physiological resilience in heat-stressed Farafra lambs, aiming to safeguard animal health and optimize livestock productivity under thermal stress conditions.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

NS compounds were investigated using molecular docking, where seventeen bioactive ligands were screened against 473 Ovis aries protein structures (AlphaFold database) to identify potential immune-related targets. Subsequently, an in vivo study was conducted using eighteen Farâfra lambs (7-8 months; 38 ± 2.56 kg), randomly assigned to three groups (0, 6, or 12 g NSS/day; n = 6 per group) for 60 days following a 7-day adaptation period. Growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, and physiological responses (rectal and skin temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate) were monitored.

RESULTS

Molecular docking analysis showed strong binding of alpha-longipinene to the melatonin receptor 1 A, suggesting possible immune-enhancing activity, while Frizzled-4 was identified as another key target involved in Wnt-mediated immune regulation. Experimentally, NSS supplementation improved average daily gain, feed efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and immune parameters while stabilizing physiological responses to HS.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation with NSS enhanced growth performance, immunity, and stress tolerance in Farâfra lambs exposed to HS. The combination of in silico and in vivo findings highlights the immunomodulatory and antioxidant potential of NSS, supporting its use as a natural, functional feed additive to encourage livestock resilience and productivity under thermal stress.