Potential protective effect of pomegranate juice and thymoquinone

Chronic use of cyclosporine A (CsA) is associated with nephrotoxicity and hypoglycaemia. The 1st part of this study aimed to examine the effect of pomegranate juice on the bioavailability of cyclosporine A and its role in preventing cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Results demonstrate that pomegranate juice lead to a 54 % increase in oral bioavailability of cyclosporine and attenuated major biochemical and structural changes induced by CsA the kidneys. Similar study was conducted using thymoquinone (TQ) the active ingredient of Nigella Sativa. TQ proved to be an efficient protective agent against CsA induced nephrotoxicity and hyperglycaemia, not interfering with the bioavailability of IP administered CsA; but lowering its oral bioavailability.