Evaluation of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Changes in Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Wistar Rats: The Protective Role of Nigella sativa Oil

Authors

  • Vida Rezaei-Hachesu Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Hassan Haddadzade Niri Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Saeid Farahani Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Mohammad Reza Monazzam Esmaeelpour Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/jhsw.v16i2.22920

Keywords:

Noise, Noise induced hearing loss, Auditory brainstem response, Oxidative stress.

Abstract

Introduction: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an important occupational and environmental disorder associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species and cochlear damage. Considering the potential protective effects of antioxidants, the present study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of black seed (BS) oil on NIHL in rats.

Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided to four groups: control, BS, noise, and noise+BS. Animals in the noise-exposed groups were subjected to pink noise at 110 dB SPL for 4 h/day. BS (2 mL/kg) was administered orally 1 h before exposure. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were measured at baseline and on days 7, 14, and 21. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were also determined.

Results: Noise exposure caused a significant increase in ABR thresholds compared with baseline (P<0.05), a significant decrease in SOD and TAC, and a significant increase in MDA. Administration of BS reduced the increase in ABR thresholds, although this effect was not significant at all frequencies and assessment times. In addition, BS increased SOD and TAC and decreased MDA compared with the exposure group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: In this animal model, BS oil showed a potential protective effect against pink noise-induced hearing damage, accompanied by improved antioxidant status and reduced oxidative stress. However, given the use of a single dose and an animal model, these findings should be interpreted cautiously.

Published

2026-10-07

Issue

Volume (16) issue (2)

Section

Articles