ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate intraperitoneal administration of Nigella sativa (NS) to prevent postoperative intraperitoneal
adhesion (PPA) after surgical manipulation of rat uterine horn. Materials and Methods: Two forms of NS were used
in the study (Volatile oil (NSVO) and the ethanolic extract (NSEE)). A total of 50 rats were randomly assigned to
the sham group (n = 10), control group (n = 10), NSVO group (n = 10), NSEE group (n = 10), and the Seprailm
group(n = 10). After 14 days, rats were sacriiced. Adhesions were examined macroscopically, and degree of
adhesions was scored. A part of horn was excised, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase
activities as well as malondialdehyde levels were evaluated, and histological score was calculated. Results: Total
microscopic score of the NSEE group was signiicantly lower than the control group (p = .001) and was marginally
signiicantly lower than the seprailm group (p = .005). Collagen formation score was higher in the seprailm
group compared to the sham and NSEE groups (p < 0.001, p = .003, respectively). Apoptotic cells were lower in
the NSEE group compared to the control group (p = .003) and also lower in the NSEE and NSVO groups compared
to the seprailm group (p = .001, p < .001, respectively). Only SOD activity was higher in the NSVO and seprailm
groups compared to the control group (p < .001). Conclusion: NSEE form seems to have a possible effect in the
prevention of PPAs. This may occur by its effect in decreasing collagen formation and by decreasing apoptosis
in the injured tissues. NSVO form seems to induce SOD. Therefore, combined use of NSVO with seprailm may
increase the adhesion preventive effect of seprailm.