Nigella Sativa and Thymoquinone for Prevention or Mitigation of Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) can result from a wide range of insults, including ototoxic drugs, Meniere’s disease, noise-induced ototoxicity, and aging. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism arises through damage to the inner ear via oxidative stress and inflammation. Recent research suggests that natural antioxidants are promising solutions to prevent SNHL. Nigella sativa (NS), through its active compound thymoquinone (TQ), is a potent antioxidant that has shown promising results. The aim of this systematic review is to examine whether NS can offer protection against acquired SNHL. Methods: This study reviewed the literature on the protective effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) or TQ against acquired SNHL. We followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases using keywords related to NS and hearing loss. Meta-analyses were performed on eligible studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experiments (SYRCLE) tool for animal studies. Results: Out of a total of 76 records, 38 duplicates were removed. From the remaining 38, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Multiple studies reported a significant protective effect of NS, especially against ototoxicity. The risk of bias across the studies was moderate. Conclusions: Preclinical evidence indicates that NS provides significant protection against acquired SNHL. These protective effects are attributed to their antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, our systematic review highlights NS as a promising candidate for preventing SNHL.