Thymoquinone Protects Neurons in the Cerebellum of Rats through Mitigating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Following High-Fat Diet Supplementation

Abstract

High-fat diet (HFD) is a major problem causing neuronal damage. Thymoquinone (TQ) could regulate oxidative stress and the inflammatory process. Hence, the present study elucidated the significant role of TQ on oxidative stress, inflammation, as well as morphological changes in the cerebellum of rats with HFD. Rats were divided into three groups as (1) control, (2) saturated HFD for eight weeks and (3) HFD supplementation (four weeks) followed by TQ 300 mg/kg/day treated (four weeks). After treatment, blood samples were collected to measure oxidative stress markers glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, neuronal morphological changes were also observed in the cerebellum of the rats. HFD rats show higher body weight (286.5 ± 7.4 g) as compared with the control group (224.67 ± 1.78 g). TQ treatment significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the body weight (225.83 ± 13.15 g). TQ produced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The antioxidative enzymes significantly reduced in HFD rats (GSH, 1.46 ± 0.36 mol/L and SOD, 99.13 ± 5.41 µmol/mL) as compared with the control group (GSH, 6.25 ± 0.36 mol/L and SOD, 159.67 ± 10.67 µmol/mL). MDA was increased significantly in HFD rats (2.05 ± 0.25 nmol/L) compared to the control group (0.695 ± 0.11 nmol/L). Surprisingly, treatment with TQ could improve the level of GSH, MDA, and SOD. TQ treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the inflammatory markers as compared with HFD alone. TQ treatment minimizes neuronal damage as well as reduces inflammation and improves antioxidant enzymes. TQ can be considered as a promising agent in preventing the neuronal morphological changes in the cerebellum of obese populations.

Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Review

“…Interestingly, fisetin, as well as chelerythrine are also reported to be important supplements for poultry to avoid heat stress-associated morbidities and spotty liver disease, respectively [ 90 , 91 ]. Lastly, animal studies on Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, osthole and thymoquinone have also shown satisfactory tolerability in vivo and those products hold promise to the manufacture of relevant supplements [ 92 , 93 , 94 ].…”

Effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) on the Molecular Structure and Total Antioxidant Capacity of Cerebellum Tissue of Healthy Rats

“…According to the results of this study, TQ has a neuroprotective effect on the apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) due to β-amyloid peptide 1-40 (13). In another recent study, the antioxidant effect of TQ was investigated in the cerebellum of rats who had consumed a high-fat diet (HFD) (1). Since HFD is accepted as a major problem for neuronal damage, oxidative stress markers were measured in the serum of those rats to investigate the meliorative effect of TQ after 4 weeks of HFD supplementation.…”

“…Since HFD is accepted as a major problem for neuronal damage, oxidative stress markers were measured in the serum of those rats to investigate the meliorative effect of TQ after 4 weeks of HFD supplementation. Alrafiah reported that the treatment with TQ reduced the inflammation and ameliorated the antioxidant enzymes implying an improvement in the HFD-induced neuronal damage in cerebellum tissues (1).…”

“…In recent years, many neurodegenerative disorders have been treated by plants commonly used in traditional medicine. These plants are preferred for easy access, collection and minimal side effects among the public (1). Nigella sativa (NS) which is a member of Ranunculaceae family, is known as black seed or cumin.…”

“…Nigella sativa (NS) which is a member of Ranunculaceae family, is known as black seed or cumin. NS has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects besides its neuroprotective role (2), and its active compound thymoquinone (TQ) has been indicated to play an important role on oxidative stress and inflammation processes in the body as well (1).…”