A study of efficacy of Nigella sativa in treatment of Meniere's disease: A randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial

Purpose:Meniere's disease(MD),first introduced by Prosper Meniere,is characterized mainly by vertigo,tinnitus,aural fullness and sensorineural hearing loss.Though the exact pathophysiology of MD is unknown,immunologic and inflammatory interactions are possible underlying mechanisms involved in MD.This study is aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect of Nigella sativa on MD as a therapeutic agent.Methods:We divided 40 patients with definite MD into two groups of 20 cases.The study group received 1 g of Nigella sativa oil daily for three months and the control group received a placebo.Changes in hearing,tinnitus and vertigo were estimated by pure tone audiometry,tinnitus handicap inventory questionnaire and dizziness handicap inventory questionnaire,respectively.Results:At the end of the study we did not observe any significant improvement in study's group hearing threshold,tinnitus and vertigo compared to the control group.Conclusions:In this study,statistical analysis showed that Nigella sativa failed to improve signs and symptoms of MD.However,further investigations with a larger study population are needed to ascertain the current conclusion.

Cochlear Synaptopathy Following Noise Exposure in Guinea Pigs: Its Electrophysiological and Histological Assessments

Exposure to high level of noise,may cause the permanent cochlear synaptic degeneration.In present study,a model of noise induced cochlear synaptopathy was established and the electrophysiological and histological metrics for its assessment was designed.6 guinea pigs were subjected to a synaptopathic noise(octave band of 4 kHz at 104 dB SPL,for 2-h).The amplitude growth curve of Auditory Brainstem Response(ABR)wave-I and wave-III latency shift in presence of noise were calculated.These indexes were considered in pre-exposure,1 day post exposure(1DPE),1 week post exposure(1WPE)and 1 month post exposure(1MPE)to noise.Finally,the samples were histologically analyzed.ABR wave-I amplitude was different between pre and 1DPE(p-value≤0.05).However,at 1WPE,it was recovered at low intensities but at 70 dB SPL and above,the differences persisted even till 1MPE.In masked ABR,the latency shift of wave-III was different between pre and 3 post exposure assessments(p-value≤0.05).Electro-microscopic analysis confirmed the synaptic degeneration,as the ribbons were larger than normal,hollow inside,and spherical and irregular in shape,also,the post synaptic density was abnormally thick and missed its flat orientation.These data revealed that noise at level below that can produce permanent hearing loss,can incur synaptic injury.So,noise is considered to be more damaging than previously thought.Accordingly,designing tools for clinical assessment of synaptopathy is beneficial in comprehensive auditory evaluation of those with history of noise exposure and also in hearing protection planning.