Natural therapeutic approach of Nigella sativa (Black seed) fixed oil in management of Sinusitis

Evaluation of synergistic/antagonistic antibacterial activities of fatty oils from apricot, date, grape, and black seeds

The increasing antimicrobial resistance requires continuous investigation of new antimicrobial agents preferably derived from natural sources. New powerful antibacterial agents can be produced by simply combining oils that are known for their antibacterial activities. In this study, apricot seed oil (ASO), date seed oil (DSO), grape seed oil (GSO), and black seed oil (BSO) alone and in binary mixtures were assessed. Fatty acid profiles of individual oils and oil mixtures showed linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linolenic acid contents. Linoleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in all samples except for ASO, where oleic acid was the dominant one. GSO showed the highest total phenolic content while ASO showed the lowest one. Antibacterial screening was performed against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Results showed antibacterial activity in all oils against tested strains except for ASO against S. aureus. Highest antibacterial activity recorded was for ASO against P. mirabilis. ASO-GSO mixture (AG) was the best mixture where it showed synergistic interactions against all strains except P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, seed oil mixtures are likely to show promising antibacterial activities against specific strains.

The Effect of Short Treatment with Nigella Sativa on Symptoms, the Cluster of Differentiation (CD) Profile, and Inflammatory Markers in Mild COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial

The current study investigated the impact of different doses of Nigella sativa seeds on the symptoms, the cluster of differentiation profile group, and inflammatory markers of mild COVID-19 cases.

METHODS

The study was a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients with mild and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection patients were randomly subdivided into seven subgroups: Group (GP) 1: received charcoal capsules as a control group, and GP 2: received three capsules of whole Nigella sativa seeds daily, two capsules in the morning and one in the evening; GP 3: received three capsules of whole Nigella sativa seeds every 12 h, GP 4: received five capsules in the morning and four capsules of whole Nigella sativa seeds in the evening, GP 5: received one capsule of Nigella sativa powder every 12 h; GP 6: received two capsules of Nigella sativa powder every 12 h; GP 7: received three capsules of Nigella sativa powder every 12 h; all treatment course was for ten days. Inflammatory parameters were assessed before and after interventions.

RESULTS

262 subjects were included in the final analysis. No significant difference was detected regarding age, gender, and nationality. No significant differences were detected between the inflammatory marker in all groups. The WBCs showed a significant difference between before and after the intervention. While for procalcitonin, a significant difference was demonstrated in groups 1,4, and 6.

CONCLUSIONS

The current randomized clinical trial did not reveal a significant effect of ten days of treatment with various doses of Nigella sativa on symptoms, differentiation profile, and inflammatory markers of patients with COVID-19. As a natural product, the effect of Nigella sativa on disease requires weeks to manifest itself.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a highly prevalent disease associated with poor quality of life. In this paper, we appraised the role of acupuncture in the treatment of CRS. Methods. Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the role of acupuncture in CRS. The primary outcome measures included posttreatment CRS severity, as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Total Effective Rate (TER). The risk of bias and quality of evidence were evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk-of-bias tool and GRADE tool, respectively. Results. Evidence from the RCTs (n = 10) suggested that acupuncture as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy to conventional treatment was associated with significant improvements in VAS, TER, and quality of life when compared with conventional treatments for CRS. However, there was a similar incidence of adverse events. The risk of bias was unclear and the quality of evidence for each finding was generally moderate to low. Conclusions. Acupuncture as a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment for CRS was associated with clinical symptom improvement and better quality of life, without any risk for serious adverse events. However, the high clinical heterogeneity of the included RCTs and overall moderate-to-low quality of evidence necessitates rigorous, well-designed trials to confirm these findings. Trial Registrations. This trial is registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42021292135).

Herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a disease with a high prevalence and a high socioeconomic burden. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive systematic review to update the evidence on the use of herbal medicine (HM) for CRS treatment.

Methods: A total of 14 electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of HM on the treatment of CRS were searched for articles published before July 2021. The primary outcome was CRS severity post-treatment, measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Total Effective Rate (TER). The risk of bias of the included studies and the quality of evidence of the main findings were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations tool.

Results: A total of 80 RCTs were included. Compared to placebo, HM significantly improved CRS severity as measured by TER and VAS. When HM was compared with conventional treatment (CT) as monotherapy or adjuvant therapy, CRS severity measured by TER and VAS, quality of life, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, Lund-Mackay computed tomography score, and nasal mucociliary function were significantly improved in the HM group. No serious adverse events associated with HM were reported. The risk of bias was generally unclear, and the quality of evidence ranged from moderate to low.

Conclusion: This review found some limited clinical evidence that HM or HM combined with CT may be more effective and safer than CT alone in treating CRS. However, the methodological quality of the included studies was generally low, and the quality of the evidence needs to be improved.

Effects of Nigella sativa Extract on Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Randomized Double Blind Study

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) causes long-term discomfort for patients, and due to the frequent relapses and dissatisfaction with current treatments, CRS patients pay more attention to herbal-traditional remedies nowadays. Nigella sativa seed has a special place in Traditional Persian medicine because of its therapeutic and clinical applications. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the effect of N. sativa seed extract on clinical symptoms of CRS patients. In a double-blind controlled clinical trial on CRS patients referred to otolaryngology clinics of Firoozgar and Amiralmomenin hospitals, all the patients used nasal drops of the N. sativa (drug) or sesame oil extract (placebo), and standard SNOT-22 questionnaire completed on days 0 and 28th of study. Data collected and statistical analysis performed by SPSS software. Level of significance was considered as P < 0.05. Out of 53 subjects (33 male and 20 female), 27 were assigned in the drug group and 26 in the placebo group. The mean SNOT-22 score on the 28th day was 19.08 ± 13.21 in the drug group, and in the placebo group, the mean was 37.15 ± 21.47 (P = 0.001). N. sativa extract was particularly effective in improving the feeling of pain, pressure or fullness, numbness and congestion in the nose, and reduction of bad breath. The results of our study indicated that the N. sativa seed nasal drop significantly improved the symptoms of CRS-especially, four major and one minor symptoms- and improved the quality of life of the patients.

The potential role of thymoquinone in preventing the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19

A new virus strain detected in late 2019 and not previously described in humans is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes corona virus disease (COVID-19). While potential therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 are being investigated, significant initiatives are being made to create protective drugs and study various antiviral agents to cure the infection. However, an effective treatment strategy against COVID-19 is worrisome inadequate. The objective of the present manuscript is to discuss the potential role of thymoquinone (TQ) in preventing the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19, focusing on viral inhibition, antioxidant potential, vascular effect, and cardiac protection. The multifunctional properties of TQ could potentially synergize with the activity of current therapeutic interventions and offer a basis for managing COVID-19 disease more effectively. Even though the experimental evidence is positive, a translational application of TQ in COVID-19 is timely warranted.

Thymoquinone: A Promising Natural Compound with Potential Benefits for COVID-19 Prevention and Cure

COVID-19 has caused a major global health crisis, as excessive inflammation, oxidation, and exaggerated immune response in some sufferers can lead to a condition known as cytokine storm, which may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDs), which can be fatal. So far, few effective drugs have emerged to assist in the treatment of patients with COVID-19, though some herbal medicine candidates may assist in the fight against COVID-19 deaths. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main active ingredient of black seed oil, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anticoagulant activities. TQ also increases the activity and number of cytokine suppressors, lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and macrophages, and it has demonstrated antiviral potential against a number of viruses, including murine cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and other coronaviruses. Recently, TQ has demonstrated notable antiviral activity against a SARSCoV-2 strain isolated from Egyptian patients and, interestingly, molecular docking studies have also shown that TQ could potentially inhibit COVID-19 development through binding to the receptor-binding domain on the spike and envelope proteins of SARS-CoV-2, which may hinder virus entry into the host cell and inhibit its ion channel and pore forming activity. Other studies have shown that TQ may have an inhibitory effect on SARS CoV2 proteases, which could diminish viral replication, and it has also demonstrated good antagonism to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, allowing it to interfere with virus uptake into the host cell. Several studies have also noted its potential protective capability against numerous chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, asthma, renal dysfunction and malignancy. TQ has recently been tested in clinical trials for the treatment of several different diseases, and this review thus aims to highlight the potential therapeutic effects of TQ in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Prophylaxis Efforts Based on Natural Antiviral Plant Extracts and Their Compounds

During the time of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been crucial to search for novel antiviral drugs from plants and well as other natural sources as alternatives for prophylaxis. This work reviews the antiviral potential of plant extracts, and the results of previous research for the treatment and prophylaxis of coronavirus disease and previous kinds of representative coronaviruses group. Detailed descriptions of medicinal herbs and crops based on their origin native area, plant parts used, and their antiviral potentials have been conducted. The possible role of plant-derived natural antiviral compounds for the development of plant-based drugs against coronavirus has been described. To identify useful scientific trends, VOSviewer visualization of presented scientific data analysis was used.

The effects of Nigella sativa on respiratory, allergic and immunologic disorders, evidence from experimental and clinical studies, a comprehensive and updated review

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed had been used traditionally due to several pharmacological effects. The updated experimental and clinical effects of N. sativa and its constituents on respiratory, allergic and immunologic disorders are provided in this comprehensive review article. Various databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus were used. The preventive effects of N. sativa on pulmonary diseases were mainly due to its constituents such as thymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol and alpha-hederin. Extracts and constituents of N. sativa showed the relaxant effect, with possible mechanisms indicating its bronchodilatory effect in obstructive pulmonary diseases. In experimental animal models of different respiratory diseases, the preventive effect of various extracts and constituents of N. sativa was demonstrated by mechanisms such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects. Bronchodilatory and preventive effects of the plant and its components on asthma, COPD and lung disorders due to exposure to noxious agents as well as on allergic and immunologic disorders were also shown in the clinical studies. Various extracts and constituents of N. sativa showed pharmacological and therapeutic effects on respiratory, allergic and immunologic disorders indicating possible remedy effect of that the plant and its effective substances in treating respiratory, allergic and immunologic diseases.

Development of antibacterial nanofibrous wound dressing and conceptual reaction mechanism to deactivate the viral protein by Nigella sativa extract

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is extensively used as medicinal plant all over the world. It has the potential properties as the antiviral and antibacterial application. Its seed contain thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ), thymol (THY), p-cymene as major and other minor components. TQ and THQ exhibit broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties against the activity of bacteria, viruses, parasites, schistosoma and fungi. This work provides credence to the fabrication of antibacterial nanofibrous membrane by electrospinning machine from N. sativa extract with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution for wound dressing. The morphology of the developed membrane is also characterized using scanning electron microscope. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data has been showed that the functional groups of N. sativa are present in the prepared PVA-N. sativa nanofibrous membrane and its antibacterial activity was investigated. The disk diffusion method has been used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of PVA-N. sativa nanofibrous membrane against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria and the inhibition zone with a value of 10 mm is formed. Considering the inherent properties of N. sativa, a conceptual reaction mechanism has been proposed to deactivate the viral proteins by the action of TQ and THQ.

Active-site Molecular docking of Nigellidine with nucleocapsid- NSP2-MPro of COVID-19 and to human IL1R-IL6R and strong antioxidant role of Nigella-sativa in experimental rats

The recent outbreak of SARS CoV-2 has changed the global scenario of human lives/economy. A significant number of the non-survivors showed cardiac-renal-vasculature dysfunction. A 'cytokine storm' namely, interleukin IL6-IL1 receptors i.e. IL6R-IL1R over-functioning was reported. Here, nigellidine, an indazole-alkaloid and key-component of Nigella Sativa L. (NS) commonly known as black-cumin-seed was analyzed for COVID-19 protein-targeting and IL1R-IL6R inhibition through molecular-docking-study and biochemical-study in experimental-rat to evaluate antioxidative-capacity. The NMR/X-ray-crystallographic/Electron-microscopic structures of COVID-19 Main-protease (6LU7)/Spike-glycoprotein(6vsb)/NSP2(QHD43415_2)/Nucleocapsid(QHD43423), Human IL1R(1itb)-IL6R(1pm9) from PDB were retrieved-analyzed for receptor-ligand interaction. Then those structures were docked with nigellidine using Autodock and Patchdock-server. A brief comparison was made with nigellicine-thymoquinone from N. sativa. Where nigellidine showed highest binding-energy of -6.6 (kcal/mol), ligand-efficiency of -0.3 with COVID19 Nsp2 forming bonds with amino acid CYS240 present in binding-pocket. Nigellidine showed strong interaction with main-protease (BE:-6.38/LE:-0.29). Nigellidine showed affinity to IL1R (-6.23). The NS treated rat showed marked decline in ALP-SGPT-SGOT-malondialdehyde(MDA) than the basal-levels. From the Western-blot and activity-analysis it was observed that Nigellidine (sulfuryl-group-drug) showed no impact on Phenol-catalyzing ASTIV and Steroid-catalyzing estrogen-sulfotransferase expressions and activities in liver-tissue and thus has no influence in sulfation-mediated adverse metabolic-processes. Conclusively, nigellidine has hepato-reno-protective/antioxidant-immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory activities with inhibit-potentials of COVID-19 proteins. Further validation is necessary.

The effects of Nigella sativa on quality of life, disease activity index, and some of inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in patients with ulcerative colitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa (NS) supplementation in patients with ulcerative colitis. Two grams of NS powder or placebo were consumed for 6 weeks by 46 patients with active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Using valid and common questionnaires of colitis severity and blood sampling, we estimated disease activity index, quality of life, and some of inflammatory and oxidative stress factors at baseline and after 6 weeks of supplementation. NS-elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha and high-sensitivity-c-reactive-protein as well as reduced malondialdehyde (p = 0.01, p = 0.02, and p = 0.005, respectively) compared with placebo. There was no significant difference between the two groups in serum total antioxidant capacity and nuclear factor kB levels. Total scores of Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index Questionnaire and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire-9 were not different between the two groups; however, stool frequency score decreased significantly in NS group. Further clinical trials with different pattern of NS administration (the amount of total and divided daily doses, either powder type or standard extracts/oil and different time arrangement) are needed to clarify the vision.

Effect of Nigella sativa Nasal Spray on the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without a Nasal Polyp

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory disease of nasal and paranasal sinuses, with many treatment methods available for the management of this disease. Recently, herbal medicines have shown a significant impact on inflammatory diseases such as CRS, and one of these herbal medicines is Nigella sativa. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of N. sativa in patients with CRS without nasal polyp (CRSsNP).

Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, 65 patients with mild to moderate CRSsNP were enrolled based on the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided randomly into 2 parallel groups: intervention and placebo groups. Patients in the intervention group received 2 puffs/day of N. sativa nasal spray (1 g/day of N. sativa) and in the placebo group received 2 puffs/day of sodium chloride spray 0.65%.

Results

Thirty-one patients (19 men and 12 women) in the intervention group and 34 in the placebo group (18 men and 16 women) were evaluated. Lund–McKay, Lund Kennedy, and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores were assessed for both groups after 8 weeks of treatments. These scores decreased significantly in both groups. However, these scores were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the placebo group (P < .0001, for all).

Conclusion

The use of N. sativa nasal spray has symptom reliever effect with no adverse effects in patients with CRSsNP.