title: Topical Nigella Sativa for nasal symptoms in elderly.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NSO is a better alternative to ISCS to treat nasal mucosa symptoms due to aging.
authors.affiliation: Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cagatay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oysu
authors.affiliation: Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosun
authors.affiliation: Tuzla State Hospital, Otolaryngology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Huseyin Baki
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: aslisahinyilmaz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Asli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahin-Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.affiliation: Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karaaslan
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000502:physiology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D029974:Carum
chemical_list: D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010938:Plant Oils; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C104525:caraway oil
keywords: Black seed oil; Nasal dryness; Nigella Sativa oil