Therapeutic Efficacy of Thymoquinone and Selenium Against Cyclosporine A Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a powerful immunosuppressant used for the management of transplant rejection as well as the treatment of several autoimmune diseases. Despite its effectiveness, nephrotoxicity still a main complication of CsA treatment. The present study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of thymoquinone (TQ) and/or selenium (Se) against CsA nephrotoxicity in rats. CsA (25 mg kgG, po) was administered to rats for 21 days while TQ (10 mg kgG, po) and/or Se (0.2 mg kgG, po) were given for 7 days before CsA and continued through the 21 days of CsA administration. CsA nephrotoxicity was evidenced by marked elevation in the level of urea, creatinine and uric acid in serum. The levels of total protein and albumin were decreased. Significant increase in renal lipid peroxidation along with decreased levels of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were also major features for CsA nephrotoxicity. Supplementation with TQ or Se to CsA-intoxicated animals improved the functioning of the kidney and restored its oxidative/antioxidative homeostasis. Furthermore, a combination therapy of both was more effective in mitigating the above mentioned disturbances than each monotherapy. In conclusion, joint supplementation with TQ and Se may be a new approach for management of renal complications associated with clinical use of CsA.