Background: Nigella sativa (NS) (black seed), has an extraordinary and wide-ranging healing properties neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. Aging process is commonly associated with a decline in the chemical senses including smell.
Aim of the work: To detect a possible improving effect of NS on the histological aging changes of the olfactory system.
Material & methods: 15 female albino rats were used and divided into 3 groups (5 animals each): Group I (control adult): 3 months old. Group II (control aged):18 months old. Group III (treated aged): 18 months old, received NS orally at a dose of 40mg/kg/day for 2 months. Specimens from the olfactory epithelium (OE), bulb (OB) and cortex (OCx) were processed for light and electron microscopy.
Results: Aging in OE is associated with a reduction in thickness, loss of surface cellular processes, deep nuclear staining and vacuolations. NS treatment improved the OE thickness and nuclear staining and reduced vacuolations. Aged OB and OCx exhibited a reduction in size in mitral and pyramidal cells respectively, with dark staining of their nuclei and reduced cytoplasmic basophilia. NS treatment markedly increased the cytoplasmic basophilia in both mitral and pyramidal cells. The results are discussed in view of the light and electron microscopic results.
Conclusion: Use of NS, could be of value in improving the structural changes of the peripheral and central main olfactory organs which occurs in association with aging and results in deficit in the sense of smell.