The percutaneous effect of black seed (Nigella sativa) oil as external topical treatment on bone healing in rabbits

Abstract

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of black seed oil extraction as an external topical treatment on bone healing. Twenty domestic rabbits were used; the animals were divided into two equal groups. Radius bone of both forelimbs were chosen for making a defect (2mm cavitation using electrical drill) in the middle shaft, the animals of the control group (CG) were left to heal normally, while the animals of treated group (TG) were treated by rubbing the operated limb by oil extraction of black seed twice a day. The results of this study confirmed that N. sativa provided important factors which contributed to enhancing the healing process of the bone defect. However, the X-ray and histopathology section of the bone of the treated group showed enhancement of bone healing in deposition, resorption, angiogenesis and remodeling stages, when compared to the control group. In conclusion, the using of oil extract of N. sativa as percutaneous therapy enhances bone healing by enhancing different processes of cell migration and differentiation, extracellular matrix formation and organization towards calcification.