Stereological and biochemical effects of thymoquinone on ovarian tissue toxicity induced by silver nanoparticles in NMRI mice: An experimental study

Background: The toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been proven in the female reproductive system. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a natural antioxidant and bioactive component of Nigella sativa. Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of TQ on ovarian tissue following toxicity induced by AgNPs in female mice. Materials and Methods: ۲۴ female NMRI mice (۵-۶ wk, an average weight of ۳۳ gr) were randomly divided into ۴ groups (n = ۶/each): control, AgNPs (۵۰۰ mg/kg, gavage), TQ (۲.۵ mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), and TQ+AgNPs. Mice were treated every day for ۳۵ days. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured. The optical disector and stereological techniques were utilized to estimate the follicular count, their volume at different developmental stages, and the structure of ovarian tissue. Results: In the AgNPs group, the serum concentrations of TAC (p = ۰.۰۱), luteinizing hormone (p < ۰.۰۰۱), follicle-stimulating hormone, the volume of corpus luteum (p < ۰.۰۰۱), and the number of follicles decreased significantly compared to the control group. Nevertheless, AgNPs significantly increased the MDA level. In the TQ+AgNPs group compared to the AgNPs group, a significant decrease in MDA level (p < ۰.۰۰۱) and a significant improvement in TAC (p = ۰.۰۳), and hormonal levels, the number of primary, preantral, and antral follicles (p = ۰.۰۴), and the volume of corpus luteum (p = ۰.۰۱) were observed. Conclusion: TQ improved the number of follicles by reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in AgNPs-damaged ovarian tissue.

Keywords:

Nanoparticles , Silver , Thymoquinone , Ovary , Mouse. , نانوذرات , نقره , تیموکینون , تخمدان , موش.