Thymoquinone Improves Anti-Diabetic Activity of Metformin in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) to enhance the anti-diabetic effect of metformin (MET) in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male rats. The mutual effect of TQ and MET on biochemical parameters such as glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin was estimated. Also, their combined influence on malonaldehyde (MDA) and total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) in liver and pancreas tissues homogenates were assessed. Furthermore, their synergistic effects on the expression of mRNA encoding glucose transporter-2 (Glut-2) were evaluated. Moreover, insulin receptor labeling index percentage in liver tissues was estimated. Results revealed that the alteration in biochemical levels due to streptozotocin action was corrected and restored by TQ plus MET with more pronounced effect than MET alone. Also, in liver homogenate both TQ and MET decreased the elevated MDA level to 8.82 and augmented the TAC level to 2.71, compared to their values in MET group 14.64 and 1.19, respectively. Furthermore, TQ plus MET up-regulated the expression level of Glut-2 by 88.2%, compared to 80% in MET group. Taken together, our study revealed that TQ via its anti-oxidant properties is a useful combination therapeutic agent to enhance the anti-diabetic activity of MET in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Nigella Plants – Traditional Uses, Bioactive Phytoconstituents, Preclinical and Clinical Studies

“…Glycemic parameters were momentously controlled by the administration of thymoquinone (8) to the diabetic rats ( Usta and Dede, 2017 ). El-Aarag et al (2017) also investigated the effects of this compound to boost anti-diabetic properties of metformin in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male rats. Their investigation unveiled that negative impacts of streptozotocin were corrected and normal biochemical functions were restored by combined treatment of thymoquinone (8) and metformin.…”

Antidiabetic Activity of Nigella Sativa (Black Seeds) and Its Active Constituent (Thymoquinone): A Review of Human and Experimental Animal Studies

“… 56 Moreover, an experimental animal study using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats determined that thymoquinone improves the antidiabetic activity of metformin synergistically through its antioxidant properties (decreased malondialdehyde [MDA] and augmented total antioxidant capacity [TAC]). 57 Hence, the patients taking this combination should be monitored for the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.…”

Protective Effects of Flavone from Tamarix aphylla against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Mice Mediated by Suppression of Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Angiogenesis

“…T. aphylla possessed anti-oxidant activity [27] owned to its content of different flavonoids [28] and phenolics [29] with potential effects in prevention and treatment of many diseases [30,31,32]. As part of our ongoing research to identify a new effective and functional natural component [33,34,35,36] with high availability and low cost, the present study aims to investigate the anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative activities of 3,5-dihydroxy-4′,7-dimethoxyflavone (Figure 1) isolated from T. aphylla. The long-term goal is to develop a potent pharmaceutical agent that inhibits the production and activation of free radicals and acts against CCl 4 -induced liver injury in mice.…”