# Comparison of the Effectiveness of Nigella Sativa and Vitamin E in Preventing Intra‐abdominal Adhesions

## TL;DR

This study compared Nigella sativa oil and Vitamin E in preventing abdominal adhesions in rats, finding that Vitamin E was more effective in reducing inflammation and improving tissue healing.

## Contribution

The study provides a direct comparison of two natural agents in a rat model for adhesion prevention, highlighting Vitamin E's superior anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing properties.

## Key findings

- Vitamin E significantly reduced TNF-α levels compared to the control group.
- Histopathology showed reduced fibrosis and inflammation in the Vitamin E group.
- Picro-Sirius Red staining revealed better collagen maturation in the Vitamin E group.

## Abstract

To compare the efficacy of locally applied Nigella sativa (NS) oil and Vitamin E (vit E) in a rat adhesion model.

Thirty‐six male Wistar rats (90 days old, 240 ± 37 g)

Animals were assigned to three groups: control (sterile saline), NS oil (10 mg/kg), and vit E (50 mg/kg). After inducing intra‐abdominal adhesion, the treatments were administered intraperitoneally. On day 8, rats were euthanized, and adhesions were scored macroscopically. Levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α, PGE2, TGF‐β1, VEGF, IL‐10 and IL‐1β were measured, and histopathological evaluation and Picro‐Sirius Red staining were performed.

Adhesion scores did not significantly differ between groups (p = 0.680). TNF‐α levels were significantly higher in the control group compared to the vit E group (p = 0.011), with no significant difference between the NS oil and vit E groups. PGE2 levels differed significantly between the NS oil and vit E groups (p = 0.023). IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, TGF‐β1 and VEGF levels did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). Histopathology revealed reduced fibrosis and inflammation in the vit E group compared to NS oil (p < 0.001). Picro‐Sirius Red staining showed improved collagen maturation in the vit E group, followed by NS oil, with the control group exhibiting less mature collagen.

Both treatments showed efficacy, but vit E was superior in reducing inflammation and fibrosis and enhancing collagen maturation.

In a rat model of intra‐abdominal adhesions, Vitamin E (vit E) and Nigella sativa (NS) oil were compared for their therapeutic effects.

While both reduced inflammation and fibrosis, vit E demonstrated superior efficacy, significantly lowering TNF‐α levels, reducing fibrosis, and enhancing collagen maturation. This suggests Vitamin E is more effective in preventing post‐surgical adhesions.