Supplementation of Thymoquinone and Carob Together in the Experimental Rat Asthma Model: Oxidative Effect on the Liver Tissue

Abstract

Asthma, an important public health problem, is a common, potentially serious, medical condition in children, adults and pregnant women. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the combined use of thymoquinone and carob on liver tissue oxidative events, following the experimental asthma model. 18 male albino wistar rats were divided into 3 groups as: the control group, the experimental asthma group and treated group (A+TQ+C). In the asthmatic groups, ovalbumin and alum were given intraperitoneally on the 0 and 14th days, and sensitized by inhalation on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd days. In the next 5 days, thymoquinone and carob were given to the group to be treated by intragastric gavage method. In all experimental groups, glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NOx) levels were measured spectrophotometrically to evaluate the oxidant-antioxidant status in the liver tissue of rats. While liver tissue GSH and AA levels increased, NOx levels were found to decrease following thymoquinone and carob administration in the treated group (A+TQ+C) when compared other groups (Control and Asthma). However, MDA levels, which are the indicator of lipid peroxidation, were found to be statistically significantly increased in the treated group (A+TQ+C) (p<0.05) when compared the other groups (Control and Asthma). As a result, the co-administration of thymoquinone and carob has a regulatory effect that eliminates the possible oxidative effects of asthma, giving hope that it may be a new treatment for children, adults and pregnant women.

Keywords

• Asthma
• Thymoquinone
• Carob
• Liver
• Oxidative stress

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