Immuno-modulation of cortisone-treated albino rats by thymoquinone

Thymoquinone is the active principle isolated from Nigella sativa seeds. It has shown potent anti-inflammatory effects and it has beneficial immunontodulatory properties. Although, cortisone has anti-inflammatory effects but it is one of the strongest known endogenous suppressors of the immune system. Cortisone increased chemotaxis of the white cells towards the Phosphate Buffer Saline [PBS] if it was injected intraperitonealy before thymoquinone while lead to a decrease if it was injected after thymoquinone. In contrast, the i.p injection of thymoquinone lead to a decrease if it was injected after cortisone while lead to increase if it was injected before cortisone. The i.p injection of cortisone and thymoquinone together didn't make observed changes. On the other hand, the chemotaxis of the white cells towards the antigen was increased at the 3[rd] week if cortisone was injected before thymoquinone and at the 4[th] week if it was injected after thymoquinone. While it was decreased slightly at the 5[th] week if cortisone and thymoquinone were injected together. The chemokinesis of white cells towards the PBS was decreased up to the end of experiniental time if cortisone was injected before thymoquinone while increased at the 5[th] week if it was injected after thymoquinone. It was decreased sharply at the 2[nd] week if cortisone and thymoquinone were injected together. On the other hand, the chemokinesis of white cells toward the antigen was decreased at the 7[th] week if cortisone was injected before thymoquinone and at the 8[th] week if it was injected after thymoquinone. Also, it was decreased sharply at the 2[nd] week if cortisone and thymoquinone were injected together. The results showed marked increase in percentage of Plaque Forming Cell [PFC] and Rosette Forming Cell [RFC], decrease in the agglutinating antibodies if cortisone was injected before or after thymoquinone while there was no marked change if they injected together, decrease in the total immunoglobulin level if cortisone was injected before or after thymoquinone while it was increased if cortisone and thymoquinone were injected together. It was clear that thymoquinone had an immune-modulatory effect on the immune-suppressive effect of cortisone and results showed that injection of thymoquinone with cortisone at the same time lead to higher effect than injecting it after or before cortisone

Modulatory effects of thymoquinone on the toxicity induced by imidacloprid in albino rat, Rattus norvegicus

The possible modulatory potential of thymoquinone [TQ] against imidacloprid [IC] induced toxicity was examined in male albino rats. One hundred and forty four adult male albino rats, Rattus norvegicus, were allocated into six groups, three groups are control and the other three groups are treated. IC was given orally at a dose of 1/100 LD50 / day for 4 weeks, with or without pretreatment of TQ that given weekly as a single i.p. injection at a dose of 1mg/kg.b.wt. Oral administration of IC significantly decreased RBC, Hb, Hct, ALP, and total protein, while increased AST, ALT, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and lipid peroxide. Recovery of haematological and biochemical changes was observed after TQ supplementation. It is concluded that TQ might alleviate disturbance in haematological and biochemical parameters induced by IC toxicity

Histological study on the effect of thymoquinone -an immunomodulator- on duodenum and superior mesenteric lymph nodes of cortisone treated rats

Thymoquinone [TQ] was demonstrated as the major active component of Nigella sativa seed oil. It was reported that thymoquinone has an anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulatory effects. On the other hand, cortisone is one of the steroid hormones that used as an anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressor drug. In the present study, the effects of both thymoquinone and cortisone were studied on the histological structure of both duodenum and superior mesenteric lymph nodes of rats. It was noticed that there was an increase of the duodenum mucosal mucus-secreting cells and some nuclear changes in the nuclei of the Brunner's gland cells. There was an increase in number of macrophages, plasma cells and lymphocytes in the superior mesenteric lymph nodes. These findings were discussed according the anti-inflammatory and the immunestimulatory effects of thymoquinone as a point of view, and the anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing effects of cortisone on another point of view. It was concluded that thymoquinone has an anti-inflammatory and immune sthnulatory effects on rat duodenum and superior mesenteric lymph nodes. However, more investigations are still in need to recommend the replacement of this natural ingredient instead of cortisone with its side effects

Modulatory effects of thymoquinone on the histological changes induced by imidacloppid in albino rats

The possible modulatory effects of thymoquinone [TQ] against pathological changes induced by imidacloprid [IC] were examined using male albino rats. One hundred and forty four adult male albino rats [Rattus norvegicus] were allocated into six groups, one group is normal, two are control groups and the other are treated groups. IC was given orally at a dose of 1/100 LD 50/ day for 4 weeks, without TQ, before TQ, or with TQ [given as a single i.p. injection weekly at a dose of 1 mg/ kg.b.wt]. Histopathological studies of liver showed dense interstitial hemorrhage, pyknotic nuclei, and infiltration with leucocytes. Also, kidney sections of animals treated with IC insecticide showed clear proliferation, interstitial hemorrhage, and pyknotic nuclei in glomerular tissue. Furthermore, marked dilatation in renal tubules and urinary spaces were observed. Medullary tubules of the kidney showed interlobular hemorrhage. Partial recovery of histological changes was observed after TQ supplementation. It is concluded that TQ might alleviate histological alteration in the liver and kidney which are induced by IC

Ulcerative dermal necrosis [UDN] a freshwater fish disease VI. biochemical investigations

The Nile Tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus] has been infected for four weeks with Saprolegnia. The fish showed white necrotic areas on skin which finally leads to fish death. During the time of infection, the biochemical analysis showed an obvious depletion in the protein content in both muscles and blood serum, while the liver protein content showed a fluctuated behaviour. The liver and muscle glycogen decreased irregulary. The lipids content decreased greatly in the liver while increased in muscles and blood serum. The study showed a reverse relation, allover the time period of infection between glucose level of liver on one side and glucose levels of muscle and serum on the other. The UDN disease has an economic significance since it causes the death of fish stocks in fish culture units and the River Nile