A clinical study of the potential therapeutic effects of black seed on allergic rhinitis. Nuclear Medicine Conference Background: Allergic rhinitis affects between 10-20% of the world''s population. Some studies have proven that black seed has different effects on the immune system and anti-allergic. Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of the black seed (Nigel O Sativa) on the different symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Venue: King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A prospective, double-blind, controlled, camouflaged clinical study of 91 patients with symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis from the ENT clinics. Allergy was diagnosed in the Allergy and Immunology Clinic by using a method (allergen skin prick test). They were given a treatment once a day before bedtime for four weeks in three groups: the first was a 100 mg capsule, a black pill. The second, a placebo capsule And the third, Loratidine (an antihistamine). A comparison was studied between the three groups.

Results: The black seed treatment compared to the placebo treatment resulted in a relative improvement in the symptoms of the nose: itching (44% instead of 38%), sneezing (42% instead of 38%), obstruction (32% instead of 19%), and gonorrhea (20% instead of 13%). ). Loratidine was also more effective in relieving most of the symptoms.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that black seed has anti-allergic therapeutic benefits that may relieve some symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis. And supports more research to study the effect of the active ingredients of black seed, in different doses, on allergy patients and also on the functions of the immune cells responsible for it.

The reference: The effect of black seed treatment on allergic rhinitis. (2005). Wadih Bakr, Imad Koshak, Tariq Jamal, and Kamal Daghestani. Saudi Journal of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery 7 (1): 17-23.

Dr. Emad Abdel Qader Hamza Koshak

Professor of Internal Medicine, Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Department of Internal Medicine - College of Medicine

Head of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine Department - College of Pharmacy

Secretary of the Saudi Society of Internal Medicine

King Abdulaziz University - Jeddah - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia