Abstract:
Our study elucidates the protective and restorative effect of thymoquinone
on β-cell line, and its potential impact on the stimulation of insulin secretion, and its effect on oxidative
stress.
Objectives: Study the effect of Thymoquinone on viability and stimulation of insulin secretion
of β-cell line and its protective and restorative effect on these cells, in order to find a solution to type 1
diabetes.
Methods: A cytotoxic study was conducted on EMT6 and NIT-1 cell lines using the XTT kit. To
reveal the insulin stimulation potential, NIT-1 cells were incubated for 24h, then Thymoquinone was
added at different concentrations, the insulin level was measured using the Mouse Ins1/Insulin-1
ELISA. Then to determine the protective effect of Thymoquinone, NIT-1 culture was performed, and
Thymoquinone was added for 24 h. After that, the STZ was added for 24h. To measure the cell viability
the XTT reagent was added. The oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, and GSH) assay was performed
in a supernatant of beta cells treated with Thymoquinone. Finally, the STZ was added before
Thymoquinone for the restorative effect, and cell viability was determined.
Results and discussion: The results show low cytotoxicity of Thymoquinone, on both EMT6 and
NIT-1 cell lines, a highly significant difference (around 100%) of insulin secretion between the cells of
control and the cells treated with Thymoquinone was mentioned. The results indicate that STZ caused
cell death of approximately 45% of untreated β NIT-1line cells. However, the cells treated with TQ then
exposed to STZ were protected against its cytotoxicity because we only noted the death of about 15%
of cells. The results of the restorative effect demonstrate that there is an 12-14% improvement in
viability of cells treated with thymoquinone compared with cells treated only with STZ.
Conclusion: Thymoquinone has demonstrated a strong stimulation of insulin secretion by β-cell
line with low cytotoxicity. Thymoquinone can be suggested as a solution for type 1 diabetes
