ABSTRACT Lead (Pb) toxicity is known to be a chief environmental health issue, especially for pregnant women and young children. Today, the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of many diseases and different toxic agents has become highly accepted due to their effectiveness and lower costs. Thymoquinone (TQ), which is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. This study was designed to explore the optional protectivity of TQ against maternal and fetal oxidative stress and brain damage induced by Pb administration. Pregnant rats were distributed into seven groups: control group, TQ group, DMSO group, two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm), and two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm) co-treated with TQ. Administration started from gestation day 1 (GD1) to day 20 (GD20) through oral gavage once daily. Lead administration caused a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and fetuses. Also, the histopathological assessment of the brains from Pb-treated groups showed marked alterations. Co-treatment of with TQ and Pb caused a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone and amelioration of histopathological changes in the brains. It was concluded that co-treatment of TQ along with gestational Pb exposure could mitigate the effects against Pb-induced maternal and fetal neurotoxicity.

中文翻译：

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百里醌改善氧化损伤和发展中的脑神经毒性的组织病理学变化

摘要 众所周知，铅 (Pb) 毒性是一个主要的环境健康问题，尤其是对孕妇和幼儿。今天，使用药草治疗许多疾病和不同的毒剂，由于其有效性和较低的成本，已被广泛接受。从黑种草种子中提取的百里醌 (TQ) 是一种有效的抗氧化剂和抗炎剂。本研究旨在探索 TQ 对 Pb 给药诱导的母体和胎儿氧化应激和脑损伤的选择性保护作用。怀孕大鼠被分为七组：对照组、TQ组、DMSO组、两组Pb处理（160和320 ppm）和两组Pb处理（160和320 ppm）与TQ共同处理。从妊娠第 1 天 (GD1) 到第 20 天 (GD20)，每天一次通过口服管饲给药。铅给药对母亲和胎儿都造成剂量依赖性毒性。此外，对铅治疗组大脑的组织病理学评估显示出明显的改变。与单独用 Pb 处理的那些相比，用 TQ 和 Pb 共同处理导致 Pb 水平显着降低，并改善了大脑中的组织病理学变化。得出的结论是，TQ 与妊娠期铅暴露的共同治疗可以减轻对铅引起的母体和胎儿神经毒性的影响。与单独用 Pb 处理的那些相比，用 TQ 和 Pb 共同处理导致 Pb 水平显着降低，并改善了大脑中的组织病理学变化。得出的结论是，TQ 与妊娠期铅暴露的共同治疗可以减轻对铅引起的母体和胎儿神经毒性的影响。与单独用 Pb 处理的那些相比，用 TQ 和 Pb 共同处理导致 Pb 水平显着降低，并改善了大脑中的组织病理学变化。得出的结论是，TQ 与妊娠期铅暴露的共同治疗可以减轻对铅引起的母体和胎儿神经毒性的影响。