Nigella sativa and Derived Thymoquinone Prevents Hippocampal Neurodegeneration After Chronic Toluene Exposure in Rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was designed to investigate the possible beneficial effects of Nigella sativa (NS) and derived thymoquinone (TQ) on neurodegeneration in hippocampus after chronic toluene exposure in rats. The rats were randomly allotted into one of four experimental groups: A (control), B (toluene treated), C (toluene treated with NS) and D (toluene treated with TQ); each group contain 10 animals. Toluene treatment was performed by inhalation of 3,000 ppm toluene, in a 8 h/day and 6 day/week order for 12 weeks. Control group received 1 ml serum physiologic and the rats in NS and TQ treated groups (C and D) were given NS (in a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight) and TQ (50 mg/kg body weight) once a day orally by using intra gastric intubation for 12 weeks starting just after toluene exposure respectively. Tissue samples were obtained for histopathological investigation. To date, no histopathological changes of neurodegeneration in hippocampus after chronic toluene exposure in rats by NS and TQ treatment have been reported. In this study, chronic toluene exposure caused severe degenerative changes, shrunken cytoplasma, slightly dilated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, markedly swollen mitochondria with degenerated cristae and nuclear membrane breakdown with chromatin disorganization in neurons of the hippocampus. The distorted nerve cells were mainly absent in the TQ and NS-treated rats. We conclude that TQ and especially NS therapy causes morphologic improvement on neurodegeneration in hippocampus after chronic toluene exposure in rats. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of NS and TQ may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment on neurodegeneration after chronic toluene exposure in rats.

Effects of Nigella sativa on heat-induced testis damage in mouse

“…The antioxidant activities of Nigella sativa were previously demonstrated by Salem (2005) who revealed that the oil of Nigella sativa and its active ingredients, in particular thymoquinine (TQ), encompassed antioxidant effects by enhancing the scavenger system leading to antitoxic effects (39). In the same way, Kanter (2008) has reported that Nigella sativa decreased the LPO and hepatic marker enzymes, and increased the antioxidant defense system activity (40). Same authors also demonstrated that Nigella sativa treatment decreased tissue malondialdehyde and prevented inhibition of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzyme activities following the experimental spinal cord injury in rats (41).…”

Thymoquinone protects dopaminergic neurons against MPP+ and rotenone

“…Al-Majed et al (2006) reported that TQ significantly reduced neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region from ischemia-induced brain injury. Also, Kanter (2008) reported significant protection of hippocampal neurons by TQ against toluene toxicity in rats. The antioxidant properties of TQ appeared to play an important role in rescuing THir neurons from either MPP + or rotenone-induced cell death in primary mesencephalic cultures.…”

Effects of <i>Nigella sativa</i> Seed Extract on Perphenzine-Induced Muscle Rigidity in Male Mice

“…Reviews have reported antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of Nigella sativa in addition to many other therapeutic effects, such as antitumor, immunopotentiation, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial [2] [5] [6]. According to some studies, it appears that this plant may have anti-depression and anti-Parkinson effects [7] [8].…”