Modulation of Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Neuronal Cells by Thymoquinone-Rich Fraction and Thymoquinone via Transcriptomic Regulation of Antioxidant and Apoptotic Signaling Genes

Figure 8

Schematic presentation of the proposed mechanistic basis for the neuroprotective effects of TQRF and TQ against H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in human differentiated SH-SY5Y cells at mRNA transcriptomics level. Oxidative stress modulated the cellular redox status and activated proapoptotic genes (i.e., JNK and p53) and downregulates antiapoptotic genes (i.e., AKT1, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and NF-κβ), resulting in cellular apoptosis. In contrast, TQRF and TQ upregulated endogenous antioxidant defences, while they downregulated proapoptotic genes and activated antiapoptotic genes leading to enhanced cell survival.