Thymoquinone, the Nigella sativa bioactive compound, prevents circulatory oxidative stress caused by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in erythrocyte during colon postinitiation carcinogenesis.

We have performed this study to investigate the modulatory effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the Nigella sativa active compound, on erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine- (DMH-) induced colon carcinogenesis after initiation in male Wistar rats. Rats exposed to DMH showed an increase of malondialdehyde and conjugated diene levels, and an augmentation of enzyme activities like catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities was also noted. The TQ pretreatment restored the parameters cited above to near-normal values. However, the posttreatment shows an activity similar as that presented by DMH. Therefore, our investigation revealed that TQ was a useful compound preventing DMH-induced erythrocyte damages.

1. Introduction

Antioxidants such as glutathione, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase are formed within cells to prevent the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion radical (O2−∙) hydroxyl radical (∙OH), and peroxyl radical (ROO∙), which are continually generated in vivo both by aerobic metabolism and exogenous sources such as UV radiation, environmental pollution, and diet [1]. Oxidative stress produced by free radicals has been associated with the development of several diseases such as cardiovascular, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases [2]. Colorectal cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related death and one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in western developed countries [3]. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH), a potent colon carcinogen, undergoes oxidative metabolism resulting in the production of electrophilic diazonium ion, which is known to elicit oxidative stress in the RBCs [4]. In recent years, much effort has been dedicated to a search for natural or pharmacological preventive agents, which would block or attenuate colorectal cancer process [5]. Epidemiological and experimental studies demonstrate the importance of compounds derived from plants in reducing the risk of colon cancer [6] and inhibit the development and the multiplicity of tumors in experimental animals [7]. Nigella sativa L. is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, commonly used traditionally in Middle Eastern folk medicine as a natural remedy for various diseases for over 2000 years [8]. Thymoquinone (TQ) was the abundant Nigella sativa essential oil compound and known to be the active principle responsible for many of the seed's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [3]. TQ has been revealed to have promising antitumor effects. It inhibited the incidence of fibrosarcoma tumors in mice induced with 20-methylcholanthrene as well as forestomach tumors induced with benzo(a)pyrene [9, 10]. The study of Badary [11] has demonstrated that TQ attenuates ifosfamide-induced Fanconi syndrome in rats, enhances its antitumor activity in mices and increase, the antitumor effects of ifosfamide. Furthermore, TQ was shown to reduce cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity without disturbing its antitumor activity [12]. Blood is the principal tissue in human body wherever abnormal modification in its parameters indicates the toxic effects of drug chemicals leading to diseases. In fact, changes in RBCs have been detected in a number of human pathologic conditions or after exposure to xenobiotics displaying oxidative stress. Erythrocytes are permanently in contact with potentially damaging levels of oxygen, but their metabolic activity is capable of reversing this injury under normal conditions, which are equipped by many defense systems representing their antioxidant capacity [13]. This protective system includes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione reductase (GR) [14]. Oxidation of erythrocytes includes membrane injury, methemoglobin formation, osmotic fragility, and the destruction of the cell [15]. Further, oxidative stress in red blood cells is an indicator of overall oxidative stress besides RBC-related disorders. Thus, the present study investigates the potential protective and curative effect of TQ in erythrocyte oxidative damage in postinitiation DMH colon cancer in rats. So our funding assesses (1) the hematological parameters count, (2) the levels of MDA, in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), (3) the conjugated diene level, and (4) the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the RBCs.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Animal Experimental Design

Adult male Wistar rats were bred in the animal care facility at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir (Tunisia). Rats were housed under optimum conditions of temperature set at 22 ± 2°C and light set at 12 hrs light-dark cycle. Rats were kept in plastic cages covered with sawdust and had unrestricted access to a commercial rat diet (24% protein, 4.5% fat, and 4% fiber) and water. All animal studies were conducted using a protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir. The toxicity of TQ in rats was determined prior to the DMH animal experiment.

2.2. DMH Rat Experiment

One week after acclimatization, the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of five animals each. Animals were treated once per week either with saline, TQ, DMH, pretreatment (TQ + DMH) (10 weeks), or posttreatment DMH (10 weeks) + TQ (10 weeks); DMH (20 mg/kg bw) was dissolved in isotonic saline and was injected subcutaneously (s.c.) once per week on the dorsal back. TQ (5 mg/kg bw,) was injected (i.p.) once per week. At the end of experimental period, the animals of different groups were sacrificed by cervical decapitation to avoid stress.

2.3. Blood Samples Preparation

Blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes. Some were immediately used for the quantification of hematological parameters. Others were centrifuged at 2200× g for 15 min. Plasma samples were then removed and the sediments containing erythrocytes were suspended in phosphate buffer saline solution (0.9% NaCl in 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4) and centrifuged as reported by Sinha et al. [16]. This process was repeated twice. After removing cells' debris by centrifugation at 3000× g for 15 min, the hemolysate were obtained and stored at −80°C until biochemical analysis.

2.3.1. Hematological Study

Red blood cell counts (RBC), white blood cells count (WBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (MCHC) were quantified in an automatic hematological assay analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA).

2.4. Biochemical Assays

2.4.1. Protein Quantification

Protein content in the erythrocytes was determined using Protein-BioRad assay [17] and bovine serum albumin as a standard.

2.4.2. Erythrocyte Lipid Peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation was determined indirectly by measuring the production of MDA in the erythrocytes extract following the method of Yagi, [18]. Briefly, 200 μL of hemolysates were mixed with 150 μL of TBS (Tris 50 mM and NaCl 150 mM, pH 7.4) and 250 μL TCA-BHT (20% TCA and BHT 1%). The mixture was vigorously vortexed and centrifuged at 1500 g for 10 min. 400 μL of the supernatant were added with HCl 0.6 N and 320 μL Tris-TBA (Tris 26 mM and TBA 120 mM), the content was mixed and incubated 10 min at 80°C. The absorbance was measured at 535 nm. The optic density corresponding to the complex formed with the TBA-MDA is proportional to the concentration of MDA and to the lipid peroxide. The concentration of μmol of MDA/mg of proteins is calculated from the absorbance at 535 nm using the molar extinction coefficient of MDA 1.56 × 105 M−1 cm−1. Another indicator of the lipid peroxidation is the conjugated diene (CD) which is measured as described by Esterbauer et al. [19]. The results were expressed as μmol hydroperoxides/mg protein.

2.4.3. Determination of Antioxidant Enzyme Activities

(1) Catalase Activity

Catalase activity was measured in the hemolysate at 240 nm and 25°C according to [20]. Briefly, 20 μL of the hemolysate were added in the quartz cuvette containing 780 μL phosphate buffer and 200 μL of H202 0.5 M. The activity of catalase was calculated using the molar extinction coefficient (0.04 mM−1 cm−1). CAT activity was calculated in terms of μmole H2O2 consumed/min/mg of protein (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Erythrocyte CAT activity in adult rats of controls or treated with DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) treatments. Values are means ± SE for five rats in each group. DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) groups versus control group: *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001, (TQ + DMH) groups versus DMH: +P < 0.05; ++P < 0.01; +++P < 0.001. U: μmol of H2O2/min.

(2) Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was estimated according to Beauchamp and Fridovich [21]. The reaction mixture contained 50 mM of hemolysate in potassium phosphate buffer (PH 7.8), 0.1 mM EDTA, 13 mM L-methionine, 2 μM riboflavin, and 75 mM nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT). The developed blue colour in the reaction was measured at 560 nm. Units of SOD activity were expressed as the amount of enzyme required to inhibit the reduction of NBT by 50%, and the activity was expressed as units/mg of protein (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Erythrocyte SOD activity in adult rats of controls or treated with DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) treatments. Values are means ± SE for five rats in each group. DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) groups versus control group: *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001, (TQ + DMH) groups versus DMH: +P < 0.05; ++P < 0.01; +++P < 0.001. U: Enzyme required for 50% inhibition of NBT reduction.

(3) Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) Activity

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was measured according to Flohe and Gunzler [22]. The enzyme activity was expressed as nmol of GSH oxidized/min/mg protein (Figure 3).

Figure 3

Erythrocyte GPX activity in adult rats of controls or treated with DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) treatments. Values are means ± SE for five rats in each group. DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) groups versus control group: *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001, (TQ + DMH) groups versus DMH: +P < 0.05; ++P < 0.01; +++P < 0.001. U: μmol of GSH oxidized/min.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme, release 17.0 for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). In each assay, the experimental data represent the mean of five independent assays ± standard deviations. The results were analyzed using Tuckey's test for comparison between the different treatment groups. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

3. Results

3.1. Hematological Parameters

The TQ pretreatment leads to a significant increase in WBC level with 114.57% and a significant decrease in PLT with 65.89% compared to control and DMH groups, respectively. The TQ posttreatment causes compared to the control group a significant decrease in RBC number with 23.15% and a very significant increase in PLT and WBC levels with 394.89% and 192.3%, respectively (Table 1).

Table 1

Hematologic parameters: red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), platelet (PLT), and white blood cell (WBC) of controls or treated rats with DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) treatments.

	Control	TQ	DMH	Pretreatment	Posttreatment
RBC (10 6 mm−3)	6.52 ± 0.46	5.934 ± 0.94	6.346 ± 1.1	6.73 ± 0.39	5.01 ± 0.78*
HGB (g/dL)	11.48 ± 0.65	11.18 ± 1.5	10.74 ± 1.65	11.66 ± 0.40	10.88 ± 1.48
HCT (%)	32.58 ± 1.63	27.74 ± 4.36	30.4 ± 5.62	27.94 ± 1.38	34.16 ± 2.86
MCV (μm−3)	47.78 ± 1.88	47.48 ± 0.64	47.38 ± 0.68	47.48 ± 0.63	52.62 ± 2.133∗∗∗+++
MCHC (g/dL)	35.40 ± 0.21	38.1 ± 1.73	36.4 ± 0.92	34.48 ± 1.16	34.08 ± 1.5
MCH (pg)	16.88 ± 0.60	17.98 ± 0.88	17.16 ± 0.36	18.24 ± 1.36	17.9 ± 0.78
PLT (103 mm−3)	58.8 ± 10.96	134 ± 17.32	371.8 ± 61.88***	126.8 ± 13.68+++	291 ± 77.81***
WBC (103 mm−3)	2.47 ± 0.35	3.9 ± 0.86	5.88 ± 0.82***	5.3 ± 0.63**	7.22 ± 0.98***

Values are means ± SE for five rats in each group.

DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) groups versus control group: *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001, TQ + DMH groups versus DMH: +P < 0.05,++P < 0.01, and +++P < 0.001.

3.2. Lipid Peroxidation in Erythrocytes

All the results from various treatment groups were compared with their normal control. However, results from different (TQ + DMH) groups were also compared with the data of DMH-treated group. During this study, no sign of toxicity was observed under DMH treatment at 20 mg/kg. Rats exhibited normal behavior in comparison to the control group. Our results revealed a significant increase of lipid peroxidation in the erythrocytes of DMH, pretreatment, and posttreatment groups with 35.62%, 32.65%, and 53.39%, respectively, compared to control group (Table 2).

Table 2

Malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (CD) levels in erythrocytes of adult rat controls or treated with DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) treatments.

	Control	TQ	DMH	Pretreatment	Posttreatment
CDa	1.27 ± 0.09	1.4 ± 0.25	1.29 ± 0.13	1.24 ± 0.04	1.78 ± 0.194∗∗∗+++
MDAb	13.11 ± 0.75	14.74 ± 1.81	20.59 ± 0.54***	17.39 ± 1.025∗∗∗++	20.11 ± 1.225***

Values are means ± SE for five rats in each group.

DMH, TQ, and different (TQ + DMH) groups versus control group: *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001, TQ + DMH groups versus DMH: +P < 0.05,++P < 0.01,+++P < 0.001.

a μmol/mg of protein.

b μmol hydroperoxides/mg of protein.

3.3. CD in Erythrocyte

Our result shows a significant increase in CD level only in the posttreatment with 40.15% compared to control. However, the increase was 43.54% compared to DMH group. The other groups show a non-significant difference compared to control or to DMH group (Table 2).

3.4. Antioxidant Enzyme Activities

All the results from various treatment groups were compared with their normal control. However, results from pretreatment and posttreatment groups were also compared with the data of DMH treated group. The rats' exposure to DMH resulted in erythrocyte extensive oxidative damage as manifested by the significant increase (P < 0.05) in CAT, SOD, and GPx enzymes levels by 50.23%, 12.55%, and 352.9%, respectively, compared to control group. In contrast, the pretreatment decreases CAT, SOD, and GPx activities without reaching normal values. The posttreatment shows a similar activity to the DMH group in the different enzymes.

4. Discussion

In this study, the inhibitory effects of TQ on the hematological parameters changes and oxidative stress enzymes were observed in an experimental model of DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis. It was clearly indicated that the pretreatment with TQ in the presence of the procarcinogen DMH appreciably attenuates the alterations in the erythrocytes levels of lipid peroxidation and the overall antioxidant enzymatic status.

The DMH was usually used for the induction of colorectal carcinogenesis in rodents. It was metabolically activated in the liver by a series of reactions [5, 23]. Blocking agents are chemopreventive agents that prevent tumorigenesis by blocking the carcinogen-DNA adduct formation [4]. Our study showed that DMH induced oxidative damages in erythrocytes, leading to hematotoxicity objectified by the reduction of RBC counts and Hb concentration. This could be the result of hematogenesis impairments by the inhibition of RBC production from proerythroblast and by erythrocyte destruction in hemopoietic organs. Several current medical drugs are extracted from herbs, and about one-quarter of prescription drugs contain at least one active compound derived from plant material. Herbal therapies, including the black seed (Nigella sativa) from which TQ is derived, have shown antitumor promotion activities in rats or mice treated with chemical carcinogens [3]. It suppresses benzo(a)pyrene- (BP-) induced forestomach tumor formation [10], potentiates the antitumor activity of cisplatin, and improves its therapeutic index [24]. In this study we have observed that TQ pretreatment leads to an increase of RBC counts and Hb concentration to reach normal values.

The study conducted by Al-Amri and Bamosa had reported no significant systemic toxicities in adult patients with solid tumors or hematological malignancies who were treated with thymoquinone. Our results showed an increase of MDA and CD level and an overexpression of antioxidant enzyme activities. It clearly indicated that DMH had the potency to cause oxidative damage in erythrocytes. Antioxidant enzymes are considered to be the first line of cellular defense against oxidative damage. Among them, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mutually function in the effects of oxidant molecules limitation on tissues and are active in the defense against oxidative cell injury thanks to the fact that they are free radical scavengers [14]. Consequently, in the current study, it was suggested that the significant increase of the MDA and CD contents in the erythrocyte proved the overexpression of antioxidant defense system to limit the influx of ROS generated by DMH exposure. Enhanced MDA and CD associated with augmentation in detoxifying (GPx) and antioxidant (CAT, SOD) enzymes in the RBCs were observed in our study. These are the characteristic findings in malignant transformation [25, 26]. It is evident from these results that, in DMH-treated rats, the oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis was disturbed. Woo et al. [27] have noted that thymoquinone could act as a free radical and superoxide radical scavenger, as well as preserving the activity of various antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Our study shows that the pretreatment with TQ causes the depletion of antioxidant enzymes in RBCs to reach similar value to the control group especially in CAT and GPx. However, the posttreatment demonstrates a similar value to the DMH group especially in SOD and GPx. These enzymes work together to eliminate ROS where small deviations in physiological concentrations may have a dramatic effect on the resistance of cellular lipids, proteins, and DNA to oxidative damage. The antioxidant capability of thymoquinone has been implicated in the prevention of chemical-induced carcinogenesis. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have provided ample evidence that thymoquinone could prevent carcinogenesis and inhibit tumorigenesis through different molecular mechanisms [27]. The study of Ghali-Muhtasib et al. [3] indicates that TQ inhibits tumor-cell invasion in vitro with IC50 of 40 μM as well as ACF formation and tumor development in DMH-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis and in a xenograft model of human HCT-116 colon cancer cells. Tumor growth inhibition by TQ in the DMH and xenograft mouse models may be attributed to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

5. Conclusion

The results from the present study show the beneficial role of the pretreatment with TQ in reducing some of the altered biochemical variables suggestive of oxidative stress in RBCs in DMH colon cancer. More studies have to be performed before thymoquinone can be developed into a drug for the potential treatment of various carcinomas and inflammatory disorders. Thus, clinical trials could be made with this agent with patients to enrich thymoquinone effects data in humans and to enhance its beneficial effect.