Administration of Thymoquinone Offer a Protective Effect through the Apoptogenic and Antioxidant Pathway in Acute Liver Failure induced by Taxol

Abstract

Objectives Due to the increasing use of chemotherapy drug and herbs in medicine, this study was designed to assess the effects of Thymoquinone and Taxol on apoptogenic, oxidative and histomorphometric changes in liver. Methods Sixty-four male rats were assigned to 8 groups including control groups (normal group and Taxol (20 mg/kg group), Thymoquinone groups (4.5, 9, 18 mg/kg) and Taxol + Thymoquinone (TT) treated groups. All experimental groups were treated intraperitoneally daily for two weeks. The relative expression level of apoptotic genes and hepatocyte apoptotic index were analyses. Also, Nitrite oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation (LP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hepatic enzymes and histomorphometric parameters were evaluated.  Results In the Taxol control group (TCG) all parameters investigated in this study significantly increase except TAC level, which was decreased in compared to the normal control group (NCG) (P < 0.01). Additionally, all evaluated parameters were reduced in Thymoquinone and TT groups, except TAC level (which was increased) as compared to the TCG (P < 0.01). Conclusion Our results discovered that Thymoquinone successfully moderate liver injury induced by Taxol through the activation of antioxidant pathways, reduce the apoptogenic and the regeneration of histopathological alterations.