Effects of thymoquinone on liver miRNAs and oxidative stress in Ehrlich acid mouse solid tumor model

Abstract

We investigated the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on the expression of liver microRNAs (miRNAs), liver histopathology and oxidative stress in Ehrlich acid solid tumor model induced mice. We used 24 male BALB/c mice divided randomly into three groups. Control (C) group mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.5 ml saline for four weeks. Tumor (T) group mice were injected i.p. with 0.5 ml saline for four weeks, then Ehrlich acid tumor cells were injected subcutaneously into the neck to induce solid tumor formation. TQ (T + Tq) group mice injected i.p. with 10 mg/kg TQ for four weeks, then Ehrlich acid tumor cells were injected subcutaneously into the neck of the mice in this group to induce solid tumor formation. At the end of the study, liver from all groups were removed for histopathological and miRNAs analysis, and oxidative stress measurement. We found that the expression of miR-206b-3p was up-regulated and the oxidative stress and necrosis increased in the liver tissue of mice with Ehrlich acid solid tumor. TQ application decreased the oxidative stress, prevented necrosis, increased regeneration and down-regulated the expression of miR-206b-3p in the liver tissue.

An Ethanolic Extract of Boehmeria caudata Aerial Parts Displays Anti-inflammatory and Anti-tumor Activities

“…The antitumor activity of EE was evaluated by the Ehrlich solid tumor model, which is used for mouse experimentation worldwide [20]. Derived from murine breast adenocarcinoma with aggressive and fast-growing characteristics, the Ehrlich tumor cells can grow in ascitic and solid forms depending on the inoculation in cavities or tissue, respectively [21].…”

Targeting microRNAs with thymoquinone: a new approach for cancer therapy

“…However, it was recently asserted miR-306 along with skeletal muscles is expressed in the pancreas, intestine, brain and liver [ 109 ]. In liver cancer, an investigation assayed the rate of expressed liver mRNA (miR-206) in an Ehrlich acid mouse solid tumor model (EAMST) following treatment with TQ (10 mg/kg of body weight) for four weeks [ 110 ]. Their results revealed high levels of up-regulated miR-206-3p and, as a consequence, oxidative stress and necrosis formation in EAMST models.…”

“…Their results revealed high levels of up-regulated miR-206-3p and, as a consequence, oxidative stress and necrosis formation in EAMST models. Employing TQ as a treatment led to down-regulated miR-206-p3 and reduction of incidence of oxidative stress and necrosis [ 110 ].…”

Therapeutic perspective of thymoquinone: A mechanistic treatise

“…Similarly, Meral has determined that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of thymoquinone at 10 mg/kg momentously caused reductions in expression of miR‐206b‐3p, oxidative stress, and necrosis in the liver tissue in Ehrlich acid solid tumor model‐induced male BALB/c mice (Meral et al., 2018). Atorvastatin is used to induce hepatic injury in male Sprague Dawley rats, which is linked with reduction in liver enzymes, protein carbonylation, malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation marker, and caspase 3 activity enhancement in reduced glutathione and catalase (Hassan et al., 2018).…”