The effect of Nigella sativa oil on prevention of myringosclerosis in a Guinea pig model.

Abstract Objectives In this study, our aim was to identify the possible effects of Nigella sativa L. (NS) [blackcumin] seed oil on the prevention of experimentally induced myringosclerosis (MS). Materials and methods Fourteen Guinea pigs were used and they were divided into three groups. Tympanic membranes (TM) of all animals were perforated and then group I was treated with saline soaked gel foams as a control group, group II was treated with 0.5 ml NS oil soaked gel foams at 0, 24 and 48 h and group III was treated with 5 ml NS oil orally at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 120 h. After 15 days, all animals were euthanized. Tympanic membranes were evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically. Results Groups I showed extensive myringosclerosis in contrast to those of Groups II and III which had significantly less changes (p  Conclusions The results of this study suggested that topical or oral administration of NS oil supressed the inflammation and fibroblastic activity in the lamina propria of the myringotomized TMs of the Guinea pigs. For providing further evidence to use plant extracts as antioxidant and antiinflammatory therapy after myringotomy or ventilation tube insertion, further clinical studies with larger population will be essential.