The Role of Topical Thymoquinone in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Externa; an Experimental Study in Rats

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this experimental study was to compare the dose-related effect of topical thymoquinone (TQ) with other topical agents used in the management of acute otitis externa (AOE) in a rat model. MATERIALS and METHODS:Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups each with eight rats per group. Group I was the control group with no external otitis, whereas external otitis were created in the other five groups (study groups). Dexamethasone, 0.1% TQ, 0.4% TQ, ciprofloxacin, and 0.9% saline (NaCl) drops was applied once daily in Groups II-VI, respectively. The treatment was administered regularly for 10 days. Pathologic and microbiologic evaluation were performed. Pathologically, the thicknesses of the stroma and the epithelium in the external auditory canal (EAC) were measured using an occulometer. Edema in the stroma, density of inflammatory cells and blood vessels, presence of fibroblasts, and changes in collagen fibers in the EAC were evaluated in five different areas to obtain the area of highest concentration and classified into four grades (0=no change, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe). RESULTS:The higher concentration of TQ (0.4%) was more effective than dexamethasone and 0.1% TQ with respect to antibacterial and the anti-inflammatory properties. CONCLUSION:TQ, particularly at a concentration of 0.4%, may be considered for topical application alone in the treatment of AOE, without any requirement for a combined treatment.

Effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound on type 2 epithelial to mesenchymal transition: a systematic review

“…All of the inflammation studies included in this review reported the anti-inflammatory effect of thymoquinone. Among the experimental models used include rhinosinusitis [46], otitis [36], lung injury [33, 39, 43], nephropathy [41, 45, 47], liver injury [44], and testicular damage [37]. In agreement with all the findings previously mentioned, thymoquinone exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in all tissues and organs studied.…”

“…Nigella sativa was used as oil ointment in five studies [23, 24, 27, 33, 34], and as cream in one study [35]. Thymoquinone was used in 14 studies [25, 26, 29, 36–46]. Nigella sativa oil and thymoquinone was compared in one study [47].…”

“…In terms of the nose inflammation, rhinosinusitis, one study using rats induced with intranasal platelet activation factor was included [46]. Ear inflammation, otitis, is modelled in one study using bacterial infection-induced model [36]. In terms of inflammation following lung injury, 3 studies were included using cardiac ischemia-induced rats [39], cadmium chloride-induced rats [33], and ovalbumin-induced rats [43].…”

“…Intensity of inflammatory cell infiltration3. Degree of epithelial injuryTreatment with TQ reverses the intranasal platelet activating facto-induced histological changes.TQ have been shown to be beneficial for the resolution of rhinosinusitis.OtitisDemirel et al 2018 [36]Bacterial infection-induced otitis model in Wistar rats.0.1 and 0.4% topical TQ.1. Histopathological assessment.2.…”

“…The active compound of black cumin, thymoquinone, has been used by 64% of the studies included [25, 26, 29, 36–46]. This enables comparison of its effect between the different studies.…”