Histopathologic and Antioxidant Regulatory Effects of Different Doses of Thymoquinone Against 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Experimental Colitis in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of thymoquinone in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by examining the effects of various doses of thymoquinone on histopathological changes, oxidative stress, and antioxidant markers in basic stamens in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model in rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: control, TNBS, thymoquinone-20 (20 mg/kg), and thymoquinone-50 (50 mg/kg) groups. The basic stamens of 32 rats were used for this experiment. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, and superoxide dismutase (inhibition rate) levels and histopathological scores (cellular infiltration, tissue integrity disruption, hemorrhagic focus, and mucosal loss) increased in the rats with TNBS, while they decreased with different thymoquinone doses. Glutathione peroxidase levels were decreased in the rats with TNBS, whereas increased with different thymoquinone doses. Furthermore, catalase levels were decreased in the rats with TNBS and increased with a 50 mg/kg thymoquinone dose. Malondialdehyde, catalase, myeloperoxidase, and superoxide dismutase (inhibition rate) levels and cell infiltration, tissue integrity disruption, and hemorrhagic focus scores detected in the thymoquinone-50 group were not different from the healthy control group. In conclusion, thymoquinone may be considered as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of IBD.