Investigation of the protective and therapeutic effects of ß-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) and Thymoquinone in the diabetic nephropathy / Investigación de los efectos protectores y terapéuticos del ácido ß-aminoisobutírico (BAIBA) y la timoquinona en la nefropatía diabética

In this study, against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diapetic nephropathy (DN); it is aimed to investigate the use of thymoquinone (TQ) and ß-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) and to compare the effects of these agents. With random selection of 35 male rats, five groups (seven rats in each group) were constituted as follows: Control, STZ, STZ + TQ, STZ + BAIBA, STZ + TQ + BAIBA. In the STZ group; body weight, glutathione (GSH) and insulin levels decreased, relative kidney weight, malondialdehyde (MDA), glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels were increased. Also, in kidney tissue; histopathological changes (such as thickening of the capsular, glomerular and tubular basement membranes, increased mesangial matrix amount, increased cytoplasmic vacuolization in some of the tubular epithelial cells, increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression, and inflammatory cell infiltrations in interstitial tissue) were detected. It was observed that these changes occurring after diabetes mellitus (DM) reversed significantly in TQ, BAIBA and TQ + BAIBA groups.

En este estudio, contra la nefropatía diapética (ND) inducida por estreptozotocina (STZ); tiene como objetivo investigar el uso de timoquinona (TQ) y ácido ß-aminoisobutírico (BAIBA) y comparar los efectos de estos agentes. Con la selección aleatoria de 35 ratas macho, se constituyeron cinco grupos (siete ratas en cada grupo) como sigue: Control, STZ, STZ + TQ, STZ + BAIBA, STZ + TQ + BAIBA. En el grupo STZ; el peso corporal, los niveles de glutatión (GSH) y de insulina disminuyeron, el peso relativo de los riñones, el malondialdehído (MDA), la glucosa, el nitrógeno ureico en sangre (BUN) y los niveles de creatinina (Cr) aumentaron. Además, en tejido renal; se detectaron cambios histopatológicos (como engrosamiento de las membranas basales capsular, glomerular y tubular, aumento de la cantidad de matriz mesangial, aumento de la vacuolización citoplasmática en algunas de las células epiteliales tubulares, aumento de la expresión del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α) e infiltraciones de células inflamatorias en tejido intersticial). Se observó que estos cambios que ocurren después de la diabetes mellitus (DM) se revirtieron significativamente en los grupos TQ, BAIBA y TQ + BAIBA.

Therapeutic effect of thymoquinone against methotrexate- induced damage on sperm parameters in mice / Efecto terapéutico de la tiroyoquinona contra el daño inducido por metotrexato en los parámetros espermáticos en ratones

Methotrexate drug is commonly used to treat cancer; it is known to cause reproductive damage. Thymoquinone, as a natural component of herbs has many healthy benefits shown in researches. The present study aimed to investigate probable therapeutic effects of Thymoquinone against Methotrexate-induced damage on sperm parameters in mice. In this experimental study, 30 male mice (25-30 g) were divided into five groups of six in each group. The mice were received normal saline (control group), Methotrexate (20 mg/kg), Methotrexate (20 mg/kg) + Thymoquinone (2, 10 and 20 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. On the day after the last injection, the sperm parameters including motility, viability and count of sperms were assessed. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. Methotrexate alone showed a significant reduction in sperm parameters compared to the control group (P=0.00). In groups treated with Methotrexate and Thymoquinone, sperm parameters (motility ,viability, count sperm) did not show any significant differences with control group (P=0.00). Thymoquinone, as a potent antioxidant, could compensate for the toxicity induced by Methotrexate. These medical trends may be useful for diminishing the side effects of Methotrexate on the male reproductive system.

El metotrexato es un fármaco utilizado comúnmente para tratar el cáncer pero además causa daño en los órganos reproductivos. Durante las investigaciones se ha demostrado que la timoquinona, un componente natural de las hierbas, tiene numerosos beneficios. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar el probable efecto terapéutico de la timoquinona contra el daño inducido por metotrexato, en los parámetros espermáticos en ratones. En este estudio experimental, se dividieron 30 ratones machos (25-30 g) en cinco grupos de seis en cada uno. Los ratones recibieron solución salina normal (grupo control), metotrexato (20 mg / kg), metotrexato (20 mg / kg) + timoquinona (2, 10 y 20 mg / kg) por inyección intraperitoneal. El día después de la última inyección, se evaluaron los parámetros espermáticos, incluida la motilidad, la viabilidad y el recuento de espermatozoides. El análisis de los datos se realizó utilizando test de ANOVA seguido de la prueba de Tukey. Durante el uso exclusivo de metotrexato se observó una reducción significativa en los parámetros espermáticos en comparación con el grupo control (P = 0.00). En los grupos tratados con metotrexato y timoquinona, los parámetros espermáticos (motilidad, viabilidad, conteo de espermatozoides) no mostraron diferencias significativas con el grupo control (P = 0.00). Como potente antioxidante, la timoquinona podría compensar la toxicidad inducida por metotrexato. Estas tendencias médicas pueden ser útiles para disminuir los efectos secundarios de metotrexato en el sistema reproductivo masculino.

Oral and intraperitoneal LD[50] of thymoquinone, an active principle of Nigella sativa, in mice and rats

Thymoquinone is the major active principle of Nigella saliva [N. sativa] and constitutes about 30% of its volatile oil or ether extract. N. sativa oil and seed are commonly used as a natural remedy for many ailments. Using modern scientific techniques, a number of pharmacological actions of N. sativa have been investigated including immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antihistaminic, antiasthmatic, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial and antiparasitic. There are only few reports regarding the toxicity of thymoquinone. The present study was carried out to determine LD[50] of thymoquinone both in mice and rats, orally as well as intraperitoneal, by the method of Miller and Tainter. Autopsy and histopathology of liver, kidney, heart and lungs were also determined. The LD[50] in mice after intraperitoneal injection was determined to be 104.7 mg/kg [89.7-119.7, 95% confidence interval] and after oral ingestion was 870.9 mg/kg [647.1-1094.8, 95% confidence interval]. Whereas, LD[50] in rats after intraperitoneal injection was determined to be 57.5 mg/kg [45.6-69.4, 95% confidence intervals] and after oral ingestion was 794.3 mg/kg [469.8-1118.8, 95% confidence intervals]. The LD[50] values presented here after intraperitoneal injection and oral gavages are 10-15 times and 100-150 times greater than doses of thymoquinone reported for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects. Thymoquinone is a relatively safe compound, particularly when given orally to experimental animals