Thymoquinone Lowers Blood Glucose and Reduces Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Diabetes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the short-term effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) on oxidative stress, glycaemic control, and renal functions in diabetic rats. DM was induced in groups II and III with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ), while group I received no medication (control). The rats in groups I and II were then given distilled water, while the rats in group III were given TQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight/day for 4 weeks. Lipid peroxidase, nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profiles, and renal function were assessed. Moreover, the renal tissues were used for histopathological examination. STZ increased the levels of HbA1c, lipid peroxidase, NO, and creatinine in STZ-induced diabetic rats in comparison to control rats. TAC was lower in STZ-induced diabetic rats than in the control group. Furthermore, rats treated with TQ exhibited significantly lower levels of HbA1c, lipid peroxidase, and NO than did untreated diabetic rats. TAC was higher in diabetic rats treated with TQ than in untreated diabetic rats. The histopathological results showed that treatment with TQ greatly attenuated the effect of STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy. TQ effectively adjusts glycaemic control and reduces oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic rats without significant damaging effects on the renal function.

Antidiabetic Activity of Nigella Sativa (Black Seeds) and Its Active Constituent (Thymoquinone): A Review of Human and Experimental Animal Studies

“… 46 Another experimental animal study using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats determined a significant reduction of HbA1c, lipid peroxidase and nitric oxide, and higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by the supplementation of 50 mg/kg of thymoquinone daily for 4 weeks. 47 Moreover, an in-vitro study confirmed that thymoquinone has agonistic activity on peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). 48…”

The significance of thymoquinone administration on liver toxicity of diazinon and cholinesterase activity; a recommendation for prophylaxis among individuals at risk

“…TQ as a relatively safe compound and the combination with Vit D has anti-fibrogenic properties and hepato-protective effects against previously established liver fibrosis [ 30 ]. TQ administration can shows lower the levels of oxidative stress and elevation of the total antioxidant capacity indices in diabetic rats [ 31 ]. Furthermore, TQ treatment may improve AChE activity in by chlorpyrifos toxicity and alleviate neuronal injuries and oxidative stress [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Self-micellizing solid dispersion of thymoquinone with enhanced biopharmaceutical and nephroprotective effects

“…Cisplatin preferentially enters the proximal tubule of the kidney due to the organic cation transporter, triggers apoptosis through the generation of ROS, and induces inflammation, calcium overload, and phospholipase activation, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage (Marullo et al., 2013 ; Soni et al., 2018 ). TQM can operate against nephropathy, has positive antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, and is expected to have a nephroprotective effect (Farooqui et al., 2017 ; Dera et al., 2020 ; Faisal Lutfi et al., 2021 ).…”