Thymoquinone Produces Cardioprotective Effect in β-Receptor Stimulated Myocardial Infarcted Rats via Subsiding Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Abstract

Earlier studies reported that long-term treatment with thymoquinone (TQ) at a high dose (20 mg/kg) exerts a cardioprotective effect against isoproterenol (ISO)-triggered myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that TQ, as a potent molecule, can exhibit cardioprotective effects at the lower dose for a short-term regimen. The rats were administered with TQ (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) at the 4 h interval for 2 days. ISO (100 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous) was given for 2 days to produce MI. ISO challenge results in deformation in ECG wave front, elevated left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure, and reduced LVdP/dtmax and LVdP/dtmin. The levels of the cardiac biomarker in serum, such as creatine kinase MB, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, were increased. In the myocardium, a rise in malonaldehyde and decreased superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase contents were observed. Furthermore, increased levels of tumor necrotic factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β were observed in the myocardium. TQ pretreatment significantly normalized alterations in hemodynamic parameters, strengthened the antioxidant defense system, and decreased the contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hepatic enzymes as compared to the ISO group. Based on the results, TQ appears to be cardioprotective at low doses, and effective even administered for a shorter duration.

Protective effect of thymoquinone nanoemulsion in reducing the cardiotoxic effect of 5‐fluorouracil in rats

“…In studies that have investigated the protective effect of TMQ against the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin and cisplatin drugs, it has been observed that TMQ can reduce the cardiotoxicity of these cardiotoxic drugs by its antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects in rats (Adali et al, 2016;Karabulut et al, 2021). The effect of TMQ in preventing arrhythmia caused by ischemia, as well as creating the effects of vasodilation and relaxation of the heart muscle due to the effect on the calcium ion voltagedependent channel and preventing the influx of calcium ions, has also been seen in previous studies (Loh et al, 2007;Rathod et al, 2022).…”

Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Development of a Multitargeted Flavonoid Phloretin

“…are the foremost causes of death worldwide [100]. Daily consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of CVDs [101][102][103]. It is reported that phloretin inhibits platelets activation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-triggered expression of endothelial adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) [17].…”

The Role of Thymoquinone in Inflammatory Response in Chronic Diseases

“…TQ has been extensively studied for its numerous biological activities in preclinical studies. Its potent antioxidant activity suggests a beneficial role in the control of many inflammatory diseases [ 7 ]. To date, only two phase 1 clinical studies have been conducted on TQ due to its low bioavailability.…”