Objective: To investigate the effects of Nigella sativa seed
supplementation on symptom levels, polymorphonuclear
leukocyte (PMN) functions, lymphocyte subsets and hematological
parameters of allergic rhinitis. Subjects and Methods:
Twenty-four patients randomly selected from an experimental
group of 31 (mean age 34 years) sensitive to house
dust mites with allergic rhinitis and a control group of 8
healthy volunteers (mean age 23 years) were treated with allergen-specific
immunotherapy in conventional doses for 30
days. After a month of immunotherapy, 12 of the 24 patients
and the 8 healthy volunteers were given N. sativa seed supplementation
(2 g/day orally) for 30 days. The remaining 12
patients continued only on immunotherapy during the same
period. The other 7 patients were given 0.1 ml saline solution
subcutaneously once a week as a placebo. The symptom
scores, PMN functions, lymphocyte subsets and other hematological
parameters were evaluated before and after all
treatment periods. Results: There was a statistically significant
increase in the phagocytic and intracellular killing ac-