Thymoquinone ameliorates acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats: An experimental study

• Main Authors: Maryam AL-ghamdi (Author), Etimad Huwait (Author), Nagwa Elsawi (Author), Soad Shaker Ali (Author), Ahmed Sayed (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2476-4108; 2476-3772; 10.18502/ijrm.v21i1.12668
• Keywords: acrylamide, thymoquinone, rats, oxidative stress, cyclooxygenase 2, inflammation.; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991; Reproduction; QH471-489
• Source: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 61-70 (2023)

Abstract Background: Acrylamide (AA) is a carcinogenic compound that causes severe reproductive impairments and represents a high environmental risk factor. Thymoquinone (TQ) has a unique antioxidant activity and has been widely used as a protective agent against various types of toxicity. Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of TQ against AA-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female albino rats (120-150 gr, 8-10 wk) were sorted into 4 groups, (n = 10/each), vehicle group (received a daily oral administration of 0.5 ml saline [9%]); AA group (received a daily oral administration with freshly prepared AA, 20 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days which is less than the lethal dose LD 50 of AA in rats (20 mg/kg body weight); AA+TQ group (received a daily oral administration of TQ, 10 mg/kg body weight) after AA intoxication for 21 days, and TQ group (received a daily oral administration of TQ only, 10 mg/kg body weight) for 21 consecutive days. Reproductive hormones, carcinogenic biomarkers, and oxidative stress markers were measured. The histological assessment showed the protective effect of TQ against AA-induced ovarian injury. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking approach were carried out to determine the binding affinity of TQ with cyclooxygenase 2. Results: TQ administration significantly enhanced the functional capacity of the ovary at hormones, oxidative biomarkers, and tumor markers at a significant level of p < 0.001. Besides, TQ protects the ovary of AA-treated rats from the severe degeneration effect. Conclusion: TQ showed a promising protective effect against AA-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats.