Topical Nigella Sativa for nasal symptoms in elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of intranasal application of black seed (Nigella Sativa) oil (NSO) and isotonic sodium chloride solution (ISCS) on nasal symptoms of the elderly. METHODS: In this prospective, crossover randomized controlled trial, 42 geriatric patients with nasal dryness and related symptoms were randomized to receive either 2 weeks of isotonic sodium chloride solution (ISCS) followed by 2 weeks of N. sativa oil (NG oil) or the same treatment in the opposite order. There was a washout period of 3 weeks in between the treatment periods. Subjective symptoms including nasal dryness, burning, obstruction, itching and crusting were evaluated by a visual analog scale. Mucociliary function was evaluated with saccharin test. RESULTS: Nasal dryness, obstruction and crusting improved significantly with the use of NSO compared to ISCS without any evidence of relevant carryover effects (p<0.05 for all for the difference in treatment). There was no significant difference between the effect of NSO and ISCS on nasal burning and itching (p>0.05 for all). There was no change in mucociliary clearance during any of the treatment periods. CONCLUSION: NSO is a better alternative to ISCS to treat nasal mucosa symptoms due to aging.