International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802912018020518751875ENDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, KermanshahDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, KermanshahDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, KermanshahDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, RafsanjanDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah20180205<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Morphine is a pain medication .It is mostly processed in liver and reasons disturbing effects. It can increase the production of free radicals. Thymoquinone is a phytochemical compound found in the plant </span><span class="fontstyle3">Nigella sativa</span><span class="fontstyle2">. It has diverse pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and anticancer. This study was intended to assess the effects of thymoquinone against morphine damages on the liver of mice. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">In this study, various doses of thymoquinone (4.5, 9,<br />and 18 mg/kg) and thymoquinone plus morphine wasadministered (once a day) intraperitoneally to 48 male mice for 20 consequent days. These mice were randomly assigned to eight groups (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 6). Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum nitric oxide (NO) levels, liver weight, and histology have been studied. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">The results indicated that morphine administration signifcantly increased the mean diameter of central hepatic vein and hepatocyte, blood serum NO level, liver enzymes level, and decreased liver weight compared to saline group (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.05). However, thymoquinone and thymoquinone plus morphine administration signifcantly enhanced liver weight and reduced the mean diameter of hepatocyte, central hepatic vein, liver enzymes, and NO levels in all groups compared to morphine group (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.05).<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">It seems that antioxidant effect of thymoquinone could protect damage of liver parameters against morphine toxicity.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;">Keywords: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Liver, mice, morphine, thymoquinone</span> </p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1875http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1875/2160