Neuroprotective effects of niosomes loaded with thymoquinone in the cerebral ischemia model of male Wistar rats

Nanomedicine. 2023 Feb:48:102637. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102637. Epub 2022 Dec 20.

Abstract

The complex stroke pathophysiology, like oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions, causes substantially challenged in stroke treatment. Thymoquinone (TQ) is attributed to pharmacological actions like antioxidant and anti-inflammation. Thymoquinone is chemically hydrophobic, which causes poor solubility and bioavailability. To overcome this challenge Thymoquinone niosome was applied in this in-vivo study. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in rats treated with Thymoquinone niosome compared to free Thymoquinone and control groups (SOD), (TAC), and (GPX) activities were increased in the TQN group compared to the MCAO control group. The decrease in (MDA) level was seen in the Thymoquinone niosome group compared to the MCAO control group. The inflammation factors expression rates of IL-IB, IL-6, TNFα in I/R Thymoquinone niosome group were decreased. This study indicated that Thymoquinone niosome might be utilized as a promising novel carrier to improve Thymoquinone bioavailability and therapeutic effect in treating cerebral I/R injury.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Ischemic stroke; Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO); Niosome; Thymoquinone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Ischemia* / drug therapy
  • Brain Ischemia* / metabolism
  • Liposomes / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Stroke* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Liposomes
  • thymoquinone
  • Neuroprotective Agents