Thymoquinone ameliorates oxidative damage and histopathological changes of developing brain neurotoxicity.pdf (3.14 MB)
Thymoquinone ameliorates oxidative damage and histopathological changes of developing brain neurotoxicity
journal contribution
posted on 2019-08-13, 08:56 authored by Prof. Hesham N. MustafaProf. Hesham N. MustafaABSTRACT
Lead (Pb) toxicity is known to be a chief environmental health issue, especially for pregnant
women and young children. Today, the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of many diseases
and different toxic agents has become highly accepted due to their effectiveness and lower costs.
Thymoquinone (TQ), which is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds, is a potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. This study was designed to explore the optional protectivity of TQ against
maternal and fetal oxidative stress and brain damage induced by Pb administration. Pregnant
rats were distributed into seven groups: control group, TQ group, DMSO group, two groups Pbtreated (160 and 320 ppm), and two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm) co-treated with TQ.
Administration started from gestation day 1 (GD1) to day 20 (GD20) through oral gavage once
daily. Lead administration caused a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and fetuses. Also,
the histopathological assessment of the brains from Pb-treated groups showed marked alterations. Co-treatment of with TQ and Pb caused a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared
with those treated with Pb alone and amelioration of histopathological changes in the brains. It
was concluded that co-treatment of TQ along with gestational Pb exposure could mitigate the
effects against Pb-induced maternal and fetal neurotoxicity.
Lead (Pb) toxicity is known to be a chief environmental health issue, especially for pregnant
women and young children. Today, the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of many diseases
and different toxic agents has become highly accepted due to their effectiveness and lower costs.
Thymoquinone (TQ), which is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds, is a potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. This study was designed to explore the optional protectivity of TQ against
maternal and fetal oxidative stress and brain damage induced by Pb administration. Pregnant
rats were distributed into seven groups: control group, TQ group, DMSO group, two groups Pbtreated (160 and 320 ppm), and two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm) co-treated with TQ.
Administration started from gestation day 1 (GD1) to day 20 (GD20) through oral gavage once
daily. Lead administration caused a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and fetuses. Also,
the histopathological assessment of the brains from Pb-treated groups showed marked alterations. Co-treatment of with TQ and Pb caused a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared
with those treated with Pb alone and amelioration of histopathological changes in the brains. It
was concluded that co-treatment of TQ along with gestational Pb exposure could mitigate the
effects against Pb-induced maternal and fetal neurotoxicity.
