Ameliorative effects of thymoquinone against eye lens changes in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Publication date: Available online 16 September 2015 Source:Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology Author(s): Amr A. Fouad, Fahad Alwadani The possible protective effect of thymoquinone against eye lens changes in diabetic rats was investigated. Following diabetes induction by a single injection of streptozotocin (45mg/kg, i.p.), thymoquinone was administered in three different doses (20, 40, and 80mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 12 weeks. Thymoquinone significantly and dose-dependently attenuated the hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Also, thymoquinone (particularly 40 and 80mg/kg) significantly decreased the elevations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, glycated proteins, aldose reductase activity, sorbitol level, and caspase-3 activity in the lens tissues of diabetic rats. In addition, thymoquinone (particularly 40 and 80mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the diabetes-induced reductions of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities, and total and soluble protein contents in the lens tissues. It was concluded that thymoquinone significantly protected the lens tissue against changes induced by diabetes in rats through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects.
Source: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research