Thymoquinone reduces methotrexate-induced heart damage: a histopathological study in rats

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of thymoquinone on cardiac tissue in MTX-induced cardiac toxicity in rats with various parameters. Materials and Methods: Group I (n=8) was administered intraperitoneal saline for 10 days. Intraperitoneal olive oil was applied to Group II (n=8) for 10 days. Group III (n=8) received 10 mg/kg Thymoquinone (THQ) intraperitoneally for 10 days. Group IV (n=8) was administered a single dose of 20 mg/kg Methotrexate (MTX), 500 mg/20 ml, intraperitoneally on the 1st day of the experiment. Group V (n=8) MTX: 20 mg/kg single dose intraperitoneally on the 1st day; THQ: 10mg/kg i.p. administered for 10 days. Since Methotrexate was in liquid form, no solvent was used. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed for analysis of heart tissue. The structure of heart tissue was evaluated by hematoxylin eosin staining. Immunohistochemically, Connexin-43, HSP90, and HIF 1? antibodies were stained. Results: Group IV was found to have histopathological deterioration, which was ameliorated by THQ. In addition to this; Connexin-43 immunoreactivity was the lowest in Group IV compared to other groups: 108.5±7.4. Compared to other groups, HSP90 immunoreactivity was highest in Group IV: 103.6±10.4. Compared to other groups, HIF-1? immunoreactivity was highest in Group IV: 95.2 ±9.1. Conclusion: Thymoquinone has a positive effect on Connexin-43, one of the proteins providing conduction in intercalary discs, HSP90, one of the chaperones in the cell and HIF-1? expression against MTX toxicity. At the same time, THQ provides a significant improvement in cardiac tissue histopathologically by showing a cardioprotective effect.