The Impact of Nigella sativa on Oral Health: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: Nigella sativa (NS) has been shown to improve periodontal health by reducing alveolar bone resorption and lowering periodontal indices and subgingival bacterial counts. However, public health and safety concerns are emerging, and there have been a few reported adverse effects associated with the use of NS. Thus, the current study aims to review clinical studies on the effectiveness NS for oral health conditions. Methods: The databases Pubmed and Google Scholar were used to search the literature; the year of publication was not restricted in the search. Studies conducted in animal models in laboratories, as well as those involving an intervention of NS in combination with other herbs, were excluded. Results: A total of thirteen human clinical studies that used NS as an intervention for treating different types of oral health conditions were included in this review. Improvement in clinical parameters was reported in all the included studies, although the statistical significance varied. Conclusion: Although the studies show that NS is beneficial in the treatment and management of oral health conditions, there is still a need for more rigorous research in this area, particularly in the application of NS in real-world clinical settings.