Author(s):
Yuniarti, Noor Pramono, Bambang Cahyono
Email(s):
yuniartiamit@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00103 
Address:
Yuniarti1*, Noor Pramono2, Bambang Cahyono3
1Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya 73112, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Central Java, Indonesia.
3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Central Java, Indonesia.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 2,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
TNF-a is a proinflammatory cytokine that has long been a research target because its sometimes uncontrolled increase in activity interferes with wound healing. Topical anti-inflammatory drugs currently on the market have local and systemic side effects. Nigella Sativa (NS) is one of the herbs that can improve wound healing by reducing TNF-a levels. The topical form, namely ointment, has been known to be effective in delivering extracts directly to the target. However, the benefits of NS in ointment form on TNF-a levels are unknown, which can improve perineal wound healing in postpartum women. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of 15% NS ointment on TNF-a levels in postpartum mothers with second-degree perineal wounds. This single-blind randomized pretest-posttest control group design was conducted in a health community center in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, on 81 postpartum women with inclusion criteria of a history of childbirth <5x, day 1 postpartum, second-degree perineal wounds, and no complications during childbirth. Subjects were randomly divided into 15% NS ointment, 10% Povidone Iodine (PVP-I) ointment, and placebo groups. The ointment was applied to the perineal wound twice a day for seven days. The primary outcome was the level of TNF-a from venous blood serum on days 1 and 7 postpartum. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27 software. Results showed the mean of TNF-a levels of the study group at the pre-test (day 1) and post-test (day 7) were NS group (3.0±6.94) and (2.8±3.28), PVP-I group (7.2±9.98) and (5.4±9.17), placebo group (5.8±5.70) and (4.8±4.67). Independent-samples Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there was a difference in pre-test TNF-a levels (p=0.019), no difference in post-test TNF-a levels (p=0.056), no difference in delta TNF-a levels (p=0.494). Wilcoxon test showed no difference between measurements in all groups (p>0.05). The effect size of the 15% NS ointment was small on changes in TNF-a levels (r=0.1) compared to the control group. 15% NS ointment did not significantly reduce postpartum women's TNF-a levels but clinically produced a small effect. This study is key for further studies, which are needed to measure the effect of NS extract on postpartum maternal TNF-a levels using different interventions, durations, and doses.
Cite this article:
Yuniarti, Noor Pramono, Bambang Cahyono. The effects of Nigella sativa L. Extract Ointment on Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α Levels in Postpartum women with Perineal Wounds: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(2):706-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00103
Cite(Electronic):
Yuniarti, Noor Pramono, Bambang Cahyono. The effects of Nigella sativa L. Extract Ointment on Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α Levels in Postpartum women with Perineal Wounds: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(2):706-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00103 Available on: https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-2-32
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