Thymoquinone ameliorates oxidative damage and histopathological changes of developing brain neurotoxicity

ABSTRACT

Lead (Pb) toxicity is known to be a chief environmental health issue, especially for pregnant women and young children. Today, the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of many diseases and different toxic agents has become highly accepted due to their effectiveness and lower costs. Thymoquinone (TQ), which is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. This study was designed to explore the optional protectivity of TQ against maternal and fetal oxidative stress and brain damage induced by Pb administration. Pregnant rats were distributed into seven groups: control group, TQ group, DMSO group, two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm), and two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm) co-treated with TQ. Administration started from gestation day 1 (GD1) to day 20 (GD20) through oral gavage once daily. Lead administration caused a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and fetuses. Also, the histopathological assessment of the brains from Pb-treated groups showed marked alterations. Co-treatment of with TQ and Pb caused a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone and amelioration of histopathological changes in the brains. It was concluded that co-treatment of TQ along with gestational Pb exposure could mitigate the effects against Pb-induced maternal and fetal neurotoxicity.

KEYWORDS:

• Lead
• oxidative stress
• brain
• Thymoquinone
• fetal toxicity

Acknowledgments

The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks to DSR technical and financial support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia [RG/04/32].

Notes on contributors

Hamid A Saleh

Hamid A Saleh, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Gamal S. Abd El-Aziz

Gamal S. Abd El-Aziz, MD is an Associate Professor in the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Hesham N. Mustafa

Hesham N. Mustafa, MD is an Associate Professor in Basic Medical Sciences (Anatomy) department and coordinator of Anatomy in Faculty of Dentistry. He is a member of European Society for the Study of Peripheral Nerve Repair and Regeneration (ESPNR); the Institute of Research Engineers and Doctors (IRED); Curriculum Development Committee of First phase for the academic years in the Faculty of Medicine. He serves as a reviewer for many reputed ISI-indexed journals. He has given the Award of Excellence of Scientific Publication for staff members, from Deanship of Scientific Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia the Certificate for Highly Cited Paper from Elsevier in December, 2016, and was Publons Top reviewer (1%) for Pharmacology and Toxicology and Clinical Medicine in September 2018.

Magdy El-Fark

Magdy El-Fark, MD is an Associate Professor in the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Majdah Aburas

Majdah Aburas, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Ahmed Othman Mal, PhD is an Associate Professor on the Faculty of Marine Sciences, at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Abdel Halim Deifalla

Abdel Halim Deifalla, Salem, MD is a Professor in the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain.