Thymoquinone ameliorates acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats: An experimental study

Background: Acrylamide (AA) is a carcinogenic compound that causes severe reproductive impairments and represents a high environmental risk factor. Thymoquinone (TQ) has a unique antioxidant activity and has been widely used as a protective agent against various types of toxicity. Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of TQ against AA-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ۴۰ female albino rats (۱۲۰-۱۵۰ gr, ۸-۱۰ wk) were sorted into ۴ groups, (n = ۱۰/each), vehicle group (received a daily oral administration of ۰.۵ ml saline [۹%]); AA group (received a daily oral administration with freshly prepared AA, ۲۰ mg/kg body weight) for ۲۱ days which is less than the lethal dose LD۵۰ of AA in rats (۲۰ mg /kg body weight); AA+TQ group (received a daily oral administration of TQ, ۱۰ mg/kg body weight) after AA intoxication for ۲۱ days, and TQ group (received a daily oral administration of TQ only, ۱۰ mg/kg body weight) for ۲۱ consecutive days. Reproductive hormones, carcinogenic biomarkers, and oxidative stress markers were measured. The histological assessment showed the protective effect of TQ against AA-induced ovarian injury. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking approach were carried out to determine the binding affinity of TQ with cyclooxygenase ۲. Results: TQ administration significantly enhanced the functional capacity of the ovary at hormones, oxidative biomarkers, and tumor markers at a significant level of p < ۰.۰۰۱. Besides, TQ protects the ovary of AA-treated rats from the severe degeneration effect. Conclusion: TQ showed a promising protective effect against AA-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats.

Keywords:

Acrylamide , Thymoquinone , Rats , Oxidative stress , Cyclooxygenase ۲ , Inflammation. , آکریل آمید , تیموکینون , موش صحرایی , استرس اکسیداتیو , سیکلواکسیژناز ۲ , التهاب.