The effect of thymoquinone, an active component of Nigella sativa, on isoproterenol induced myocardial injury

Myocardial injury constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Present study aimed to investigate protective role of thymoquinone, which is an active principle of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed (Commonly called as black seed), in isoproterenol induced myocardial injury, a classical example of excess catecholamines related coronary insufficiency and ‘stress cardiomyopathy’. Thymoquinone, in olive oil, was administered orally (12.5, 25 and 50mg/kg) to three groups of Wistar albino rats for 7 days, while two control groups were given plain olive oil. Thereafter, thymoquinone receiving groups and one control group were injected, subcutaneously, with isoproterenol (125mg/kg) for 2 days. Myocardial injury was assessed by biochemical markers (plasma LDH, TBARS, GR SOD and myocardial GSH/GSSG ratio) and cardiac histopathology. Plasma LDH, TBARS and GR increased in control groups receiving isoproterenol, while there was a dose related decrease in these markers in thymoquinone treated groups, down to levels in controls given olive oil only. Decrease in plasma SOD and myocardial GSH/GSSG ratio and histological changes produced with isoproternol were also reversed in thymoquinone treated rats. Results of our study revealed that thymoquinone protects the heart from injury induced by isoproterenol.