Thymoquinone (Tq), an active compound of Nigella sativa, has been known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective characteristics. The present study is aimed to evaluate the effect of Tq on reserpine (Rsp)-induced behavioral (anxiety and/or depression) and, memory deficit; hippocampal inflammatory markers, oxidative markers, antioxidant enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and histopathology in male mice. Animals were injected with Rsp at a dose of 2 mg/ml/kg and doses of Tq (10 and 20 mg/ml/kg) for 28 days. After the treatment period, behavioral tests [Elevated plus maze (Epm); Light dark box test (Lda); Morris water maze (Mwm); Forced swim test (Fst); Tail suspension test (Tst)] were conducted. After analysis of behaviors, mice were decapitated and brain samples were collected, the hippocampus was removed from the whole-brain sample for biochemical analysis and histology. Administration of Tq at both doses prevent adverse effects of Rsp and increased time spent in open arm and lightbox in Lda and Epm respectively, decreased immobility period in Fst and Tst, decreased latency escape in Mwm, reduced lipid peroxidation (lpo) and inflammatory cytokines, increased defensive enzymes, reduced acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and corrected histological lines. It is concluded that Rsp-instigated behavioral and memory deficits were prevented by Tq possibly via its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

百里醌 (Tq)，一种黑种草的活性化合物，以其抗炎、抗氧化和神经保护特性而闻名。本研究旨在评估 Tq 对利血平 (Rsp) 诱导的行为（焦虑和/或抑郁）和记忆缺陷的影响；雄性小鼠的海马炎症标志物、氧化标志物、抗氧化酶、乙酰胆碱酯酶 (AChE) 活性和组织病理学。动物以 2 mg/ml/kg 的剂量和 Tq（10 和 20 mg/ml/kg）的剂量注射 Rsp 28 天。治疗期结束后，行为测试 [Elevated plus maze (Epm); 明暗盒测试（Lda）；莫里斯水迷宫（Mwm）；强迫游泳测试（Fst）；进行了尾部悬吊试验(Tst)]。行为分析后，将小鼠断头并收集脑样本，从全脑样本中取出海马体进行生化分析和组织学分析。两种剂量的 Tq 给药可防止 Rsp 的不利影响，并分别增加 Lda 和 Epm 在开放臂和灯箱中花费的时间，减少 Fst 和 Tst 的不动期，减少 Mwm 的潜伏期逃逸，减少脂质过氧化 (lpo) 和炎性细胞因子，增加防御酶，降低乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）活性并纠正组织学线。得出的结论是，Tq 可能通过其强大的抗氧化和抗炎作用来预防 Rsp 引发的行为和记忆缺陷。降低乙酰胆碱酯酶 (AChE) 活性并纠正组织学系。得出的结论是，Tq 可能通过其强大的抗氧化和抗炎作用来预防 Rsp 引发的行为和记忆缺陷。降低乙酰胆碱酯酶 (AChE) 活性并纠正组织学系。得出的结论是，Tq 可能通过其强大的抗氧化和抗炎作用来预防 Rsp 引发的行为和记忆缺陷。