L. as immunomodulator and preventive effect on renal tissue damage of lupus mice induced by pristane.

Introduction: L. is an herbal plant with Thimoquinone as the main therapeutic properties. This plants has been shown to cure for various diseases and affected the immune system by modulating cytokines and T regulatory cell (Treg) sot that able to prevent renal injury in several diseases, but studies on Systemic Lupus Erythematous are still rare.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate immunomodulation and preventive effects of L. on renal tissue damage in Pristane induced Lupus (PIL)-mice model

Methods: This true experimental study included 48 female Balb/C mice, 38 mice were injected pristane intraperitoneally and waited 16 weeks to become lupus model. Only 30 mice met the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics criteria. Ten healthy mice were used as control, 30 PIL mice model divided into 3 groups (placebo, steroid, L.). At the end of 28 days of treatment, the mice were sacrificed to take a blood sample and kidney organ to evaluate the injury histopathologically.

Results: The results showed that the cytokine expression Interleukin (IL) (IL-17, IL-6, IL-23) in the L. group was the lowest. The highest absolute number of Tregs was the steroid group followed L. group. Renal injury assessed histopathologically showed the L. group was the lowest and almost close to normal.

Conclusion: This study indicate that L. has an immunomodulatory effect and can prevent kidney injury PIL-treated mice. We suggest that L. may need to be considered for further research on its use as a complementary supplement in lupus patients.