Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Pharmacy Eastern Mediterranean University Famagusta North Cyprus Turkey
2. Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Hamadan Iran
3. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Hamadan Iran
4. Medical Education Research Center, Department of Pathology, Medical School Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
5. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
Abstract
AbstractHeavy metals are among the most important environmental pollutions used in various industries. Their extensive use has increased human susceptibility to different chronic diseases. Toxic metal exposure, especially cadmium, arsenic, and lead, causes oxidative damages, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic and epigenetic modifications. Meanwhile, thymoquinone (TQ) is an effective component of Nigella sativa oil that plays an important role in preventing the destructive effects of heavy metals. The present review discusses how TQ can protect various tissues against oxidative damage of heavy metals. This review is based on the research reported about the protective effects of TQ in the toxicity of heavy metals, approximately the last 10 years (2010–2021). Scientific databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, were searched using the following keywords either alone or in combination: cadmium, arsenic, lead, TQ, and oxidative stress. TQ, as a potent antioxidant, can distribute to cellular compartments and prevent oxidative damage of toxic metals. However, depending on the type of toxic metal and the carrier system used to release TQ in biological systems, its therapeutic dosage range may be varied.