OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the impact of orally-administrated thymoquinone (TQ) during pregnancy on litter size, pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure, and body weight in rat offspring.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, 64 pregnant rats were divided into groups according to the doses of TQ (0,10, 40, and 80 mg/kg) and gestational week (GW2 and GW3) of TQ administration. After parturition, the pups were counted, weighed, and assessed for pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure on postnatal days 14 (P14) and 21 (P21).

RESULTS

In GW2 treated rats, TQ 40 mg/kg decreased seizure stages compared with control only on P14 while seizure duration significantly decreased on P14 and P21. On P14, 40 mg/kg TQ increased latency to the first seizure but decreased it on P21. In addition, 40 mg/kg dose decreased body weight (BW) on P1, P14, and P21 compared with 10 mg/kg dose and control groups. The dose of 80 mg/kg led to a complete pregnancy loss. In GW3 treated rats, only 10 mg/kg TQ decreased the seizure stages on P14 and P21. None of the doses had a significant effect on seizure duration and latency. TQ 40 and 80 mg/kg led to a low birth weight while increased BW on P14 and P21. A 50% decrease in litter size was observed in 80 mg/kg treated rats.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal TQ may have anticonvulsant effects. The effects of TQ on BW of offspring depend on its dose and administration time. Also, a high dose of TQ at GW2 can be severely toxic for pregnancy.