Protective Effects of Thymoquinone, an Active Compound of Nigella sativa, on Rats with Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Lung Injury through Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Abstract

Benzopyrene [B(a)P] is a well-recognized environmental carcinogen, which promotes oxidative stress, inflammation, and other metabolic complications. In the current study, the therapeutic effects of thymoquinone (TQ) against B(a)P-induced lung injury in experimental rats were examined. B(a)P used at 50 mg/kg b.w. induced lung injury that was investigated via the evaluation of lipid profile, inflammatory markers, nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. B(a)P also led to a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) (34.3 vs. 58.5 U/mg protein), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (42.4 vs. 72.8 U/mg protein), catalase (CAT) (21.2 vs. 30.5 U/mg protein), and total antioxidant capacity compared to normal animals. Treatment with TQ, used at 50 mg/kg b.w., led to a significant reduction in triglycerides (TG) (196.2 vs. 233.7 mg/dL), total cholesterol (TC) (107.2 vs. 129.3 mg/dL), and inflammatory markers and increased the antioxidant enzyme level in comparison with the group that was administered B(a)P only (p < 0.05). B(a)P administration led to the thickening of lung epithelium, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, damaged lung tissue architecture, and led to accumulation of collagen fibres as studied through haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Sirius red, and Masson’s trichrome staining. Moreover, the recognition of apoptotic nuclei and expression pattern of NF-κB were evaluated through the TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The histopathological changes were found to be considerably low in the TQ-treated animal group. The TUNEL-positive cells increased significantly in the B(a)P-induced group, whereas the TQ-treated group showed a decreased apoptosis rate. Significantly high cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB in the B(a)P-induced group was seen, and this expression was prominently reduced in the TQ-treated group. Our results suggest that TQ can be used in the protection against benzopyrene-caused lung injury.

Honokiol alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis via Nrf2 activation in vitro and in vivo

“…With the development of phytochemistry and pharmacology research, a large number of natural products with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities have been found. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for the botanical components of traditional medicine as a source of prevention and treatment for ALI [ 28 – 30 ]. HKL, a natural compound extracted from Magnolia Officinalis, has been reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Ajwa Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) Extract in Prevention of Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Lung Injury through the Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cell Signalling Molecules

“…Nitric oxide and associated compounds are formed by an extensive variety of residential as well as inflammatory cells in the airways [36]. A study based on animal model reported that nitric oxide level was substantially increased in the B(a)P-treated group as compared to the control group [37,38]. In the present study, it was noticed that NO levels were increased in the B(a)P-treated group animals whereas ADE treatment significantly decreases the NO levels.…”

Evidence-based anti-viral and immunomodulatory potential of Black cumin (Nigella sativaL.) in COVID-19

“…in OVA-sensitized rats . THQ have also been recently reported for the protection against benzopyrene induced lung injury in rats (Al-Zohairy et al, 2021).…”