Nigella sativa oil as a treatment for gingivitis: A randomized active–control trial

Objective: To assess the clinical anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial efficacy of Nigella sativa oil compared with chlorhexidine in patients with gingivitis. Methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in patients having chronic generalized gingivitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Nigella sativa oil (n=18) or chlorhexidine (n=19). The following assessments were made on day 0 and day 15: plaque index, gingival index, gingival IL-6 and IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA, plaque colony-forming units, and alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus strains. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests and Fisher's exact test. Results: Both interventions reduced plaque index and gingival index scores (P<0.000 1). The Nigella sativa oil group was better at lowering IL-6 (P=0.0076) than the chlorhexidine group (P=0.145), although there was no change in IL-18 levels (P>0.05). The post-intervention plaque index and gingival index scores and inflammatory cytokine levels between the two groups were not significantly different. Both interventions caused a significant reduction in the plaque colony-forming units (P<0.0001), reducing pathogenic bacteria: Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus parasanguinis in the chlorhexidine group (50%) (P=0.103 1), and the Nigella sativa oil group (20%) (P=0.739 5). Conclusions: Nigella sativa oil had anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, reducing biofilm formation and disrupting the colonization of pathogenic bacteria essential for the progression of periodontal disease. Nigella sativa oil could offer an alternative therapy for treating gingivitis and may prevent associated systemic diseases and improve overall health outcomes.