Thymoquinone protects the rat kidneys against renal fibrosis

Abstract

Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main active ingredient of Nigella sativa seeds with various pharmacological effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TQ on renal fibrosis and permeability and oxidative stress status in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in male rats. Eighty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups as follow: control (received normal saline), LPS (1 mg/kg/day), and LPS+TQ (by doses of 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg/day). After three weeks, the biochemical parameters such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in serum samples, oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol groups, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in renal tissue homogenate and renal permeability (evaluated by Evan’s blue dye method) were measured and renal fibrosis was evaluated, histologically using Masson’s trichrome staining. LPS administration induced renal fibrosis (1.49 ± 0.08 vs. 7.15 ± 0.18%) and significantly increased renal permeability (6.03 ± 1.05 vs. 13.5 ± 1.04 μg evans blue(EB)/g tissue), serum BUN and creatinine levels and oxidative stress marker (MDA) (P < 0.05), while, it reduced anti-oxidative markers including total thiol group, SOD and CAT activities (P < 0.05). Administration of TQ significantly improved these alterations which were dose-dependent in oxidative stress markers, renal permeability (TQ 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg: 10.7 ± 0.3, 9.2 ± 1.4 and 11.5 ± 0.6 μg EB/g tissue; respectively) and fibrosis (TQ 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg: 6.09 ± 0.7, 4.26 ± 0.14 and 2.52 ± 0.08%; respectively). In conclusion, administration of TQ reduced renal fibrosis and permeability and improved oxidative stress status. Thus, TQ can be considered in conditions accompanied with chronic inflammation at least as a part of treatment strategy.

Thymoquinone protects against cardiac mitochondrial DNA loss, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

“…However, pre-and co-treatment with TQ resulted in heart tissue sections closely similar to those obtained from the control group, which indicates the cardioprotective effect of thymoquinone in the form of decreasing fibrous tissue formation. Previous studies have reported the antifibrotic effect of thymoquinone on the liver [ 49 ], kidney [ 50 ], and heart tissues [ 47 ], which all support our work.…”

Thymoquinone Upregulates Catalase Gene Expression and Preserves the Structure of the Renal Cortex of Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroid Rats

“…Previous studies conducted on Nigella sativa (NS) oil and its main bioactive constituent TQ showed that they have both antioxidant and renoprotective properties in STZ-induced diabetes in the animal models and in ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal disorders [ 10 , 11 ]. In addition, NS and TQ were recently reported to have the potential to prevent renal tissue damage and fibrosis in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated rats through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [ 12 , 13 ]. It was reported that the hydroalcoholic extract of NS could protect the renal tissue against oxidative stress associated with neonatal and juvenile hypothyroidism in rats [ 14 ]…”

Thymoquinone attenuates hepatotoxicity and oxidative damage caused by diazinon: an in vivo study

“…Thymoquinone (TQ), or 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (Fig. 1A), is the main active constituent of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds(12). Thymoquinone has various pharmacological properties such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects(3).…”