E-ISSN: 1019-5157
ISSN: 2651-5024
Research
Time-Dependent Neurovascular Effects of Thymoquinone on Basilar Artery Morphometry in a Rat Model of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Cengiz Atış✉ ,
Mehmet Akif Erbaş ,
Cengiz Çokluk ,
Mehmet Emin Önger ,
Abdullah Hilmi Marangoz
Mehmet Akif Erbaş ,
Cengiz Çokluk ,
Mehmet Emin Önger ,
Abdullah Hilmi Marangoz
Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji, Ondokuz Mayıs University; Neurosurgery, Ondokuz Mayıs University
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.51344-26.2
Accepted: 23/06/2026
Article in Press
Corresponding Author:
Cengiz Atış (drcengizatis@gmail.com)
Abstract
Aim
Delayed cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a progressive neurovascular process driven by oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting that sustained pharmacological intervention may be required to modulate delayed vascular alterations. Thymoquinone, an active constituent of Nigella sativa, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its time-dependent effects on cerebral vasculature in experimental SAH remain incompletely characterised. This study investigated the effects of short- and long-term intraperitoneal thymoquinone administration on basilar artery morphometry and cerebral perfusion in an SAH model.
Material and Methods
Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to seven experimental groups, including control, sham, untreated SAH, and SAH groups treated with vehicle or thymoquinone (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 or 8 days. SAH was induced by autologous blood injection into the cisterna magna, and animals were sacrificed on days 3 or 8. Basilar artery luminal and tunica media areas were assessed using unbiased stereological methods. Cerebral blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, and neurological function was evaluated as a secondary outcome.
Results
Basilar artery luminal area differed significantly among experimental groups (p < 0.001), with pronounced luminal narrowing in untreated SAH animals during the delayed phase (day 8). Prolonged thymoquinone administration significantly attenuated delayed luminal narrowing, whereas short-term treatment did not produce a measurable morphometric effect. Long-term treatment was associated with partial preservation of cerebral blood flow. No significant differences were observed in basilar artery tunica media area. Neurological deficit scores differed among groups, with significant impairment in untreated SAH animals at day 8 compared with both control and thymoquinone-treated SAH animals at the time point. This study demonstrates duration-dependent vascular effects of thymoquinone in experimental SAH.
Conclusion
Prolonged intraperitoneal thymoquinone administration exerts time-dependent neurovascular effects in experimental SAH by attenuating delayed basilar artery luminal narrowing and partially preserving cerebral perfusion, highlighting the importance of treatment duration in delayed vascular pathology.
Delayed cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a progressive neurovascular process driven by oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting that sustained pharmacological intervention may be required to modulate delayed vascular alterations. Thymoquinone, an active constituent of Nigella sativa, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its time-dependent effects on cerebral vasculature in experimental SAH remain incompletely characterised. This study investigated the effects of short- and long-term intraperitoneal thymoquinone administration on basilar artery morphometry and cerebral perfusion in an SAH model.
Material and Methods
Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to seven experimental groups, including control, sham, untreated SAH, and SAH groups treated with vehicle or thymoquinone (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 or 8 days. SAH was induced by autologous blood injection into the cisterna magna, and animals were sacrificed on days 3 or 8. Basilar artery luminal and tunica media areas were assessed using unbiased stereological methods. Cerebral blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, and neurological function was evaluated as a secondary outcome.
Results
Basilar artery luminal area differed significantly among experimental groups (p < 0.001), with pronounced luminal narrowing in untreated SAH animals during the delayed phase (day 8). Prolonged thymoquinone administration significantly attenuated delayed luminal narrowing, whereas short-term treatment did not produce a measurable morphometric effect. Long-term treatment was associated with partial preservation of cerebral blood flow. No significant differences were observed in basilar artery tunica media area. Neurological deficit scores differed among groups, with significant impairment in untreated SAH animals at day 8 compared with both control and thymoquinone-treated SAH animals at the time point. This study demonstrates duration-dependent vascular effects of thymoquinone in experimental SAH.
Conclusion
Prolonged intraperitoneal thymoquinone administration exerts time-dependent neurovascular effects in experimental SAH by attenuating delayed basilar artery luminal narrowing and partially preserving cerebral perfusion, highlighting the importance of treatment duration in delayed vascular pathology.
Keywords
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Cerebral vasospasm
Basilar artery
Thymoquinone
Neurovascular pathology