Effects of thymoquinone (volatile oil of black cumin) on rheumatoid arthritis in rat models

Phytother Res. 2007 Sep;21(9):895-7. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2143.

Abstract

Many studies have been carried out in recent years on the pharmacological effects of Nigella sativa seeds that have uncovered their antiinflammatory and immunological effects. The objective of this study was to explore the antiinflammatory effects of thymoquinone on arthritis in rat models. Rats with arthritis induced by Freund's incomplete adjuvant were assigned to five groups: group 1: controls 0.9% NaCl (n = 7); group 2: 2.5 mg/kg thymoquinone (n = 7); group 3: 5 mg/kg thymoquinone (n = 7); group 4: Bacilli Chalmette Guerin (BCG) 6 x 105 CFU (n = 7); group 5: methotrexate 0.3 mg/kg (n = 7). Signs of inflammation on the claw and radiological signs were searched for and TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were measured. The results of the control and other groups were compared. As a result, thymoquinone, confirmed clinically and radiologically, suppressed adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / chemically induced
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Benzoquinones / administration & dosage
  • Benzoquinones / pharmacology*
  • Benzoquinones / therapeutic use
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Freund's Adjuvant
  • Male
  • Nigella sativa*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Benzoquinones
  • Plant Oils
  • Freund's Adjuvant
  • thymoquinone