Effect of Thymoquinone and Butylated Hydroxytoluene on Behavior and Oxidative Stress Level in Rats Chronically Exposed to Ethanol

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 4, 156 - 164, 15.07.2025

Dilek Kuzay Aksoy

https://doi.org/10.19127/bshealthscience.1700003

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the antioxidant activity of Thymoquınone (TQ) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and its effect on behavioral tests in rats chronically exposed to ethanol. The experimental groups were determined as Control, Sham, Ethanol, Ethanol+BHT, Ethanol+TQ and Ethanol+BHT+TQ. In order to create a chronic alcohol exposure model in rats, 7 g/kg ethanol was given for 4 weeks. BHT and TQ were given at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Glutathione, malondylaldehyde and total nitric oxide levels were analyzed to evaluate oxidative stress in brain, stomach, liver and kidney tissue. Open field test and forced swim test were used to examine anxiety disorder and depression-like behaviors in rats. Compared with the control group, ethanol exposure increased malondylaldehyde and total nitric oxide levels and decreased glutathione levels in all tissues (P<0.05). BHT, TQ and BHT+TQ treatment increased glutathione levels and decreased malondylaldehyde levels in all tissues (P<0.05). In the ethanol-exposed group, swimming time decreased and immobility time increased, and it was determined that there was a decrease in the time spent in the center of the open field and an increase in the time spent in the periphery (P<0.05). BHT and TQ treatment increased swimming time, decreased immobility time and caused an increase in the time spent in the center of the open field (P<0.05). Our findings showed that BHT and TQ contributed critically to the protection against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in tissues. BHT and TQ treatment improved behavioral tests after ethanol exposure. The most significant improvement was seen in the group that was given BHT+TQ simultaneously after ethanol exposure.

Keywords

Ethanol, Behavior, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Rats, Nigella sativa

Ethical Statement

The study was initiated after ethical approval was obtained from Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee at its meeting (approval date: January 11, 2023, protocol code: 68429034/01).

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