Impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles and thymoquinone in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma induced in mice

Background The field of nanotechnology offers great opportunities for cancer therapy. Objective This study aimed to compare the therapeutic impact of Zn oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and thymoquinone (TQ) alone or as cotherapy in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) induced in mice. Materials and Methods This study was performed on 75 female albino mice divided into Group I: EAC‐bearing control group, Group II: EAC treated with TQ, Group III: EAC treated with low‐dose ZnO NPs, Group IV: EAC treated with high‐dose ZnO NPs, Group V: EAC treated with TQ and low‐dose ZnO NPs. All groups were subjected to measurement of cell viability, ascites fluid volume, Bcl2 protein expression by Western blot analysis, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) gene expression by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay levels of Beclin 1, interferon γ (INFγ), interleukin 13 (IL‐13), and estimation of Zn concentrations in EAC cells and liver homogenate to evaluate its toxicity. Results Cotherapy has an efficient anticancer effect by enhancing apoptosis and autophagy, resulting in reducing tumor cell viability and ascites fluid volume together with downregulation of Bcl2 protein expression. This cotherapy increases Beclin 1 and INFγ and decreases IL‐13. ZnO NPs upregulate COX2 expression, whereas TQ downregulates its expression. High‐dose ZnO NPs have more toxic effects on liver enzymes. Using TQ together with ZnO NPs can eliminate ZnO NPs liver toxicity. Conclusion The cotherapy has an efficient anticancer effect by enhancing apoptosis and autophagy. High‐dose ZnO NPs have more toxic effects on liver enzymes. Using TQ together with ZnO NPs can eliminate ZnO NP liver toxicity.