Effect of thymoquinone on Th1 and Th2 balance in rats infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) could alter the Th1 and Th2 balance by stimulating phagocyte IL-1β production, and subsequent Th2 differentiation. Thymoquinone (TQ) is an active compound of Nigella sativa which has a potential immunomodulatory effect in Th1 and Th2 balance. AIM: We aim to evaluate the effect of TQ in restoring the Th1 and Th2 balance in MTB infection. METHODS: Four groups of rats were infected with virulent MTB strain H37Rv. Different doses of TQ (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg BW) were given to three groups, and one group was left without treatment. Additional one group was neither infected nor treated with TQ. We measure interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels using ELISA 14 days after treatment. RESULTS: We found there were increased IL-1β, IL-4, and IFN-γ levels after MTB infection, but we observed no significant effect of TQ treatment to Th1 and Th2 balance. CONCLUSION: We conclude that TQ could not restore Th1 and Th2 balance in rats infected with MTB.