Thymoquinone supplementation attenuates hypertension and renal damage in nitric oxide deficient hypertensive rats

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the main constituent of the volatile oil from Nigella sativa seeds, in rats after chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl esters (l-NAME). Rats were divided randomly into different treatment groups: control, l-NAME, TQ and l-NAME + TQ. Hypertension was induced by 4 weeks administration of l-NAME (50 mg/kg/day p.o.). TQ was administered alone or in combination with l-NAME and continued for 4 weeks. The animals were killed, and the serum and kidney tissues were isolated for the determination of creatinine and glutathione (GSH), respectively. Rats receiving l-NAME showed a progressive increase in systolic blood pressure compared with control rats. Concomitant treatment with TQ (0.5 and 1 mg/kg/day p.o.) reduced the increase in systolic blood pressure induced by l-NAME in a dose dependent manner. Kidney injury was demonstrated by a significant increase in serum creatinine and a decrease in GSH in kidney tissue from l-NAME treated rats. Treatment of rats with TQ decreased the elevated creatinine and increased GSH to normal levels. TQ inhibited the in vitro production of superoxide radical in enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. In conclusion, TQ is effective in protecting rats against l-NAME-induced hypertension and renal damage possibly via antioxidant activity.

Some biochemical and haematological effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) oil on T. brucei-infected rats

“…Immunodulation is probably one of the ways by which the oil achieves the results (Salem, 2005). Thymoquinone, the recently implicated active component of black seed oil (Tekeoglu et al, 2006;Khattab and Nagi, 2007) might be the cytotoxic constituent conferring trypanocidal properties on the oil. We are currently exploring this possibility along with the possibility of inactivating possible toxins extracellularly released by trypanosomes.…”

“…It is a phytotherapeutic known to reduce the risk to illness and disease by strengthening immune system and protecting the body (Hajhashemi et al, 2004;Tekeoglu et al, 2006). Recent reports however suggest that thymoquinone present in the oil might be the active component (Tekeoglu et al, 2006;Khattab and Nagi, 2007).…”

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity ofNigella sativain clinically endometritic cows

“…NS was reported to have a preventive effect on oxidative stress by causing to rise of antioxidant enzymes (Khattab & Nagi 2007;Yaman & Balikci 2010). The antioxidant activity of NS seeds and oil was basically dependent on its active constituent thymoquinone and carvacrol (Thippeswamy & Naidu 2005).…”

A Sensitive In vitro Spectrophotometric Hydrogen Peroxide Scavenging Assay using 1,10-Phenanthroline

“…[19][20][21][22][23][24] It plays a significant mitigatory role against various heavy metal induced toxicities. 25 The protective effect of TQ is attributed to its free radical scavenging activity, 26,27 Hence, TQ stands as an important candidate for therapeutic approach against Asinduced neurotoxicity as it can cross blood brain barrier. Govil et al (2012) demonstrated the suitability of Post Nuclear Supernatant (PNS) as an alternate in-vitro model for assessing ROS mediated oxidative stress induced heavy metal toxicity.…”