DefinePK

Abstract

Background:  Cisplatin (Cis) is the primary and most effective chemotherapy drug for treating head and neck cancer. The side effect of cisplatin therapy is toxicity in the cochlea. The most active chemical in Nigella sativa (habbatussauda) is thymoquinone (TQ). The protective effects of thymoquinone antioxidants against oxidative stress caused by cisplatin in the cochlea of Wistar rats still need to be better understood. The purpose of this study is to ascertain if thymoquinone antioxidants may protect Wistar rat cochlea from oxidative damage caused by cisplatin. Methods:  We divided 24 healthy male rats into four groups for this experimental animal study (Rattus norvegicus). The researchers named the group that received cisplatin alone the Cis group. The group given cisplatin and thymoquinone at 25 mg/kg/day was called the Cis+TQ25 group. The group given cisplatin and thymoquinone at 50 mg/kg/day was called the Cis+TQ50 group. The group that gets nothing is called the control group. On day 10, we will test the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rat cochlear tissue using an immunohistochemistry examination. Results:  The Cis group significantly decreased the expression of SOD in cochlear tissue (26.64±5.02) compared to the control group (64.18±5.93) with a  p  = 0.000. The Cis+TQ25 group (51.95±2.98) and the Cis+TQ50 group (56.19±5.43) significantly increase SOD expression in cochlear tissue compared to the Cis group (26.64±5.02) with a  p  = 0.009 and a  p  = 0.002. Conclusion:  Thymoquinone decreases oxidative stress caused by cisplatin by upregulating SOD expression in Wistar rat cochlea. Keywords:  Antioxidants; Cisplatin; Cochlea; Oxidative stress; Rats; Thymoquinone