Lead (Pb) is a pervasive industrial and environmental pollutant that seriously impairs the central nervous system, primarily by disrupting the redox balance. The current research was conducted to explore the possible beneficial action of thymoquinone (TQ), the main active component in Nigella sativa seed volatile oil, against brain oxidative stress and DNA damage caused by Pb. Wistar adult male rats were treated with TQ (5 mg/kg/day, per os) and/or Pb (2000 ppm of Pb acetate in drinking water) for five weeks. Results showed that Pb exposure significantly increased metal content, malondialdehyde concentration and DNA damage (assessed by comet assay), but significantly decreased the level of reduced glutathione and the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the brain tissue. These detrimental effects Pb-induced, except tissue metal accumulation, were significantly improved by TQ supplementation. In conclusion, our findings suggested that TQ might be a promising therapeutic alternative in Pb neurotoxicity.
Key words: Thymoquinone, lead, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, brain, rat.
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