Thymoquinone induces heme oxygenase-1 expression in HaCaT cells via Nrf2/ARE activation: Akt and AMPKα as upstream targets

Thymoquinone (TQ), an active constituent of Nigella sativa, possesses anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) suppresses inflammation and carcinogenesis. In the present study, we examined the effect of TQ on HO-1 expression in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and elucidated its underlying molecular mechanisms. TQ induced the expression of HO-1 in HaCaT cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Treatment with TQ increased the localization of nuclear factor (NF)-erythroid2-(E2)-related factor-2 (Nrf2) in the nucleus and elevated the antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter gene activity. Knockdown of Nrf2 abrogated TQ-induced HO-1 expression and the ARE luciferase activity. TQ induced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt and cyclic AMP-activated protein kinase-α (AMPKα). Pharmacological inhibition of Akt or AMPKα, but not that of ERK, abrogated TQ-induced nuclear localization of Nrf2, the ARE-luciferase activity and the expression of HO-1. TQ also generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) abrogated TQ-induced ROS accumulation, Akt and AMPKα activation, Nrf2 nuclear localization, the ARE-luciferase activity, and HO-1 expression in HaCaT cells. Taken together, TQ induces HO-1 expression in HaCaT cells by activating Nrf2 through ROS-mediated phosphorylation of Akt and AMPKα.