Protective effects of thymoquinone on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

The aim of this study was designed to investigate the possible beneficial effects of the thymoquinone (TQ) in streptozotocine (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. The rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: A (control), B (diabetic untreated), and C (diabetic treated with TQ); each group contain ten animals. B and C groups received STZ. Diabetes was induced in two groups by a single intra-peritoneal (i.p) injection of STZ (50 mg/kg, freshly dissolved in 5 mmol/l citrate buffer, pH 4.5). Two days after STZ treatment, development of diabetes in two experimental groups was confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels in a tail vein blood samples. Rats with blood glucose levels of 250 mg/dl or higher were considered to be diabetic. The rats in TQ treated groups were given TQ (50 mg/kg body weight) once a day orally by using intra gastric intubation for 12 weeks starting 2 days after STZ injection. Treatment of TQ reduced the glomerular size, thickening of capsular, glomerular and tubular basement membranes, increased amounts of mesangial matrix and tubular dilatation and renal function as compared with diabetics untreated. We conclude that TQ therapy causes renal morphologic and functional improvement after STZ-induced diabetes in rats. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of TQ treatment may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment in diabetic nephropathy.

Antidiabetic Properties of a Spice Plant Nigella sativa

“…TQ therapy also causes renal morphologic and functional improvement after STZ-induced diabetes in rats. When TQ (50 mg/kg/day) was given for 12 weeks to STZ induced diabetic rats, three days after induction of diabetes, it reduced the glomerular size, thickening of capsular, glomerular and tubular basement membranes, increased amounts of mesangial matrix and tubular dilatation and renal function as compared with diabetics untreated [46]. During pregnancy of diabetic (STZ induced) mice, TQ treatment inhibits the rate of embryo malformations by reducing the free radicals, in addition to increasing the size and maturation of embryos [47].…”

The potential beneficial effects of ethyl pyruvate on diabetic nephropathy: an experimental and ultrastructural study

“…It has been reported that DN occurs in approximately 30-40% of diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM-1) [26] cases and is the major cause of death in diabetics. The mechanism of glomerular pathology underlying in DN is still unclear [27]. There is evidence showing that diabetic nephropathy results from metabolic alterations that occur in the renal glomeruli after long exposure to high glycaemic levels [28,29].…”

“…There is evidence showing that diabetic nephropathy results from metabolic alterations that occur in the renal glomeruli after long exposure to high glycaemic levels [28,29]. In addition to the haemodynamic effects, several non-haemodynamic factors have been identified to be involved in the pathogenesis of DN [27].…”

The acute effects of thymoquinone on acute peripheral nerve injury: an experimental study

“…For example, Hawsawi et al reported that TQ reduces blood glucose levels in normal rats, [17] and similar results were reported in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits, alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and human subjects. [18][19][20][21] However, 2 different studies reported that TQ did not change fasting blood glucose levels significantly in normal or streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. [22,23] Although the reason for these differing effects is unclear, TQ might cause hypoglycemia in 2 ways.…”

“…[24] In another study, Kanter et al reported that TQ had protective therapeutic effects on diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and preserving pancreatic β-cell integrity; therefore, the authors concluded that TQ might be useful clinically for protecting β-cells from oxidative stress. [25] TQ exerts gastroprotective and hepatoprotective effects on the gastrointestinal system. A previous study reported that TQ could protect gastric mucosa from acute alcohol-induced mucosal injury, and that this gastroprotective effect might be induced by its radical-scavenging activity.…”