RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Nigella sativa (NS) seed oil against the most frequently isolated infectious bacteria of the middle and external ear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro antibacterial activity of NS oil was evaluated against 34 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 32 clinical isolates of Moraxella catarrhalis, 32 clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, and 32 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and P. aeruginosa were also evaluated for their sensitivity to the NS oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the NS oil was determined via a broth dilution technique. Serial solutions were prepared in a Mueller Hinton-F broth to achieve an ultimate concentration of NS oil within the microplate wells ranging from 256 µg/mL to 0.25 µg/mL. The growth control wells and medium were used for each bacterial strain, and the microplates were incubated at 35°C for 24 h. Those wells having no visible growth and the lowest concentration of NS oil were accepted as showing the MIC. RESULTS: In this study, a comparison was made between NS oil and the various antibiotics known to be effective against the bacterial strains mentioned above. The NS was shown to have bactericidal activity against H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, and S. pneumoniae. However, the NS was not found to be effective against P. aeruginosa at any concentration. CONCLUSION: The results of this laboratory-based study support the use of NS oil as an alternative treatment for ear infections. However, it is necessary to conduct clinical studies to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of NS oil on patients with ear infections.