Thymoquinone Alleviates Cadmium Induced Stress in Germinated Lens culinaris Seeds by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Increasing Antioxidative Activities

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of thymoquinone on seeds germination and young seedlings of lentils under cadmium (Cd) stress (300 µM). Three different concentrations (10 µM, 1 µM, and 0.1 µM) of thymoquinone were applied. Our results indicated that thymoquinone has a positive effect on several physiological and biochemical parameters on seeds germination and young seedlings of lentils under Cd stress, which led to enhancing their growth. A significant increase in shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, and chlorophyll content was observed in the treated plants compared to the control plants. However, the thymoquinone treatment significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents compared to untreated roots and seedlings under Cd-stress. Nevertheless, our results show that the thymoquinone significantly improved the activities of enzymes involved in antioxidant response, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). We have also studied the activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH); ICDH was increased significantly in roots and seedlings in the presence of different doses of thymoquinone. However, the activity MDH was increased only in roots. Our results suggest that the application of thymoquinone could mitigate cadmium induced oxidative stress.

Effects of Dietary Thymoquinone Inclusion on Antioxidative, Oxidative, Pro-Inflammatory Responses, Semen Attributes and Testicular Changes in Heat-Stressed Rabbit Bucks

“…This significant improvement could reflect the robust antioxidant properties of THQ, which several previous works have evidenced (Hammed and Amao, 2022;Ibrahim et al, 2022). Thenceforth, oxidative impairment of the brain is generated by numerous types of machinery, for instance, higher lipid peroxidation, protein unfolding, fluctuations in pH, mitochondrial disturbance, DNA injury, and the intracellular calcium brought about the elevation of cell death (Ben Mrid et al, 2022). Aboubakr et al (2021) suggested THQ alleviates chlorpyrifos-induced neuronal injury in rats via enhancing the SOD, CAT and GSH and reduced the MDA levels significantly.…”

“…The discrepancy in the antioxidant system is furthermore the reason for MDA. Lipid peroxidation weakens cell membrane and makes it vulnerable to more oxidation by free radicals (Ben Mrid et al, 2022).…”

“…Regarding the potential role of THQ in relieving the negative effects of HS in animals, only one experiment on mice has reported the positive effects of THQ in combating HS (Saeed et al, 2011). Multiple previous studies have shown the protection roles of THQ against lead toxicity in mice (Mabrouk and Ben Cheikh, 2016), tartrazine hepatotoxicity (Demircigil et al, 2023), cancer disease (Aslan et al, 2021), kidney toxicity (Kaymak et al, 2022), cadmium toxicity (Ben Mrid et al, 2022), cryodamage of ram sperm (İnanc et al, 2022), and provided a significant defense against Aeromonas sobria in fish infections (Ibrahim et al, 2022).…”

Plant-Based Biostimulants for Seeds in the Context of Circular Economy and Sustainability

“…A byproduct of the corn starch industry, CSL (corn steep liquor) protein hydrolysate has been shown to significantly increase wheat germination [81]. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a primary bioactive component from black seed oil (Nigella sativa) [82], reported to increase lentil germination and seedling vigor indexes along with alleviation of cadmium stress [83]. Other thyme essential oils were used to coat durum wheat seeds, resulting in enhanced germination and tolerance to drought stress [84].…”

A Stability Evaluation of a Nigella sativa Essential Oil Fine Emulsion Containing Sodium Lignosulfonate as the Aqueous Phase

“…Thymoquinone, the main bioactive ingredient of Nigella sativa essential oil, is known to have important antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties [1]. It has also been proven to reduce induced stress in Lens culinaris seeds, making it ideal as a plant biostimulant [2]. Since the next generation of these types of biostimulants should ensure the slow release of the active ingredient due to the phytotoxic effects that are possible at high concentrations, encapsulation in a delivery system, such as through the use of emulsions, yields promising perspectives [3].…”