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Thymoquinone Lowers Blood Glucose and Reduces Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Diabetes

Mohamed Faisal Lutfi1,2, Abdel-Moneim Hafez Abdel-Moneim1,3, Ashwag Saleh Alsharidah1

  • 1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Thymoquinone (TQ) effectively improved glycaemic control and reduced oxidative stress in diabetic rats. This natural compound also attenuated diabetic nephropathy without harming kidney function.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia.
  • Oxidative stress and renal dysfunction are common complications of diabetes.
  • Thymoquinone (TQ) is a bioactive compound with potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the short-term effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) on oxidative stress, glycaemic control, and renal function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
  • To assess the protective effects of TQ against STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy.

Main Methods:

  • Diabetes Mellitus was induced in rats using streptozotocin (STZ).
  • One group of diabetic rats received Thymoquinone (TQ) at 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks.
  • Biochemical markers (HbA1c, lipid profiles, renal function tests), oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidase, nitric oxide, TAC), and histopathological examination of renal tissues were performed.

Main Results:

  • STZ-induced diabetes significantly increased HbA1c, lipid peroxidase, nitric oxide, and creatinine levels, while decreasing total antioxidant capacity (TAC).
  • TQ treatment significantly reduced HbA1c, lipid peroxidase, and nitric oxide levels in diabetic rats.
  • TQ treatment increased TAC and attenuated STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy in renal tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Thymoquinone (TQ) demonstrates significant potential in improving glycaemic control and reducing oxidative stress in diabetic rats.
  • TQ treatment effectively mitigates diabetic nephropathy progression.
  • TQ is a promising therapeutic agent for managing diabetes and its associated renal complications without adverse effects on kidney function.
Keywords:
diabetes mellitusglycaemic controllipid profilesoxidative stressrenal functionthymoquinone

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