Protective Effect of Thymoquinone on Bisphenol A-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats, Targeting the Role of Associated Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and NF-kB

Abstract

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most abundant chemicals in the environment and prolonged exposure to BPA can cause oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. Nigella sativa which containing Thymoquinone (TQ), have various therapeutic effects including hepatoprotective effect. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatotoxic effect of BPA on liver of adult male albino rats and the possible role of thymoquinone in alleviating the detrimental effects of BPA on the liver, targeting the role of associated pro-inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). Method: The effect of BPA and TQ on albino rats was studied by estimating body weight changes (%), liver index, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) & gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and NFκB. Results: BPA caused significant increase in liver index, level of serum AST, ALT and GGT and hepatic tissue MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β and NF-κB (P<0.05), while there is a significant decrease in hepatic tissue GSH & SOD (P<0.05). Treatment with TQ+BPA causesignificant increase in hepatic tissue GSH & SOD (P<0.05), while there is a significant decrease in liver index, level of serum AST, ALT and GGT and hepatic tissue MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β and NF-κB (P<0.05). Conclusion: TQ protect against BPA-induced toxicity in male rats due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions so, TQ can be used as a therapeutic and preventive drug for hepatotoxicity resulting from toxicants, including BPA.