Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology
Vol. 3 (2013), Issue 2, pp. 11-20
doi:10.11131/2013/101344
Effect of Thymoquinone on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced in BALB/C Mice: Is It Always Beneficial?
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ) has a variety of beneficial properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the effect of TQ on biochemical changes and coagulopathy accompanying liver fibrosis in BALB/c mice was investigated. Fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (0.5 ml /kg) for 4 weeks. TQ was administrated at three dose levels (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg) in drinking water, starting 7 days before CCl4 injection and continuing during the CCl4 administration period (4 weeks). CCl4 raised serum alanine aminotransferase activity as well as hepatic malondialdehyde content and myeloperoxidase activity. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and reduced glutathione level in liver. Treatment of mice with TQ ameliorated the hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4, as evidenced by disappearance of fibrosis. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity, hepatic malondialdehyde content and myeloperoxidase activity decreased significantly while antioxidant enzymes activities rose. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly elevated after injection of CCl4 as compared to normal control group. TQ potentiated the effect of CCl4 on the coagulation parameters. Our results showed that TQ ameliorates hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4. However, it did not improve the coagulopathy induced in this model. Consequently, the use of TQ may be not always beneficial in different stages of chronic liver disease.
Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology
Vol. 3 (2013), Issue 2, pp. 11-20
doi:10.11131/2013/101344
Effect of Thymoquinone on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced in BALB/C Mice: Is It Always Beneficial?
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ) has a variety of beneficial properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the effect of TQ on biochemical changes and coagulopathy accompanying liver fibrosis in BALB/c mice was investigated. Fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (0.5 ml /kg) for 4 weeks. TQ was administrated at three dose levels (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg) in drinking water, starting 7 days before CCl4 injection and continuing during the CCl4 administration period (4 weeks). CCl4 raised serum alanine aminotransferase activity as well as hepatic malondialdehyde content and myeloperoxidase activity. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and reduced glutathione level in liver. Treatment of mice with TQ ameliorated the hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4, as evidenced by disappearance of fibrosis. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity, hepatic malondialdehyde content and myeloperoxidase activity decreased significantly while antioxidant enzymes activities rose. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly elevated after injection of CCl4 as compared to normal control group. TQ potentiated the effect of CCl4 on the coagulation parameters. Our results showed that TQ ameliorates hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4. However, it did not improve the coagulopathy induced in this model. Consequently, the use of TQ may be not always beneficial in different stages of chronic liver disease.
Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology
Vol. 3 (2013), Issue 2, pp. 11-20
doi:10.11131/2013/101344
Effect of Thymoquinone on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced in BALB/C Mice: Is It Always Beneficial?
How to Cite this Article
Nancy S. Imam, Rehab Kamel, Osama A. Badary, and Adel M. Mostafa, “Effect of Thymoquinone on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced in BALB/C Mice: Is It Always Beneficial?,” Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 3, Issue 2, pp. 11-20, 2013. doi:10.11131/2013/101344