The musculoprotective effects of thymoquinone on ameliorating muscle damage induced by valproic acid in rats

Aim: To determine the potential musculoprotective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on valproic acid (VPA)-induced muscle damage. 
Materials and Methods: Twenty one male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly separated into 3 groups (n = 7): Control, VPA, VPA + TQ. Oral VPA (500 mg/kg/day) and TQ (50 mg/kg/day) were given to the rats for a period of 14 days. On the 15th day, muscle tissues were taken for evaluating the expression levels of the Alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) and Myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7) genes and histological analysis. 
Results: The VPA + TQ group showed significantly higher ACTN3 and lower MYH7 gene expression, and decreased NADPH oxidase-4 and caspase-3 levels than the VPA group. Also histopathological changes were decreased in the VPA + TQ group in comparison with the VPA group. 
Conclusion: VPA-induced muscle damage was alleviated due to the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of TQ. TQ may be beneficial in treating muscle damage caused by VPA.