SUMMARY:

Hospital infections are among the important health problems causing morbidity and mortality in the world and in our country. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common bacterial agents causing hospital infections. Pseudomonas species, whose various types are widely found in nature, are gram-negative, non-fermentative, aerobe, and oxidase-positive bacilli. Pseudomonas species are generally resistant to more than one antibiotic group, and it is more common in facilities with immunocompromised patients such as intensive care units, burn units and surgical services where invasive interventions are performed. Ventilator or hospital-acquired pneumonia, soft tissue infections, bacteremia, catheter-related infections, and wound infections, especially in diabetic patients are among the infections it causes.

Lipopolysaccharides are one of the most important virulence factors involved in the development of these Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. The lipid A part of the endotoxin in the lipopolysaccharide structure is the main part responsible for toxicity. While this antigenic structure causes the release of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8 from monocytes, IL-1 and IL-6 activate T cells and cause gamma-interferon, IL-2, IL-4 secretion. Although these cytokines are very useful in dealing with local infection, when they are synthesized in large quantities, a systemic inflammatory reaction can occur, causing the endotoxin to cause multiple physiopathological effects such as tissue damage and death.

Black seed is Nigella sativa, a species of Ranunculaceae (Buttercups) family and it is known as black seed, black cumin or fertility grain in our country, which is very rich in plant diversity. Although it has been used in the treatment of many diseases for many years, it is also widely used in the food industry today. In our country, 12 to 14 Nigella species are grown mainly in Konya, Kütahya, Isparta and Antalya, especially Nigella sativa, Nigella damascena, and Nigella arvensis species are widely used. Thymoquinone (C10H12O2, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl 1, 4-benzoquinone) is a volatile monoterpene with yellow crystals with a molecular weight of 164.2 g / mol, found in black seed essential oil at rates of 18.4-24% and it is the most important bioactive component. In studies on thymoquinone, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antitumoral, and analgesic effects, as well as anti-inflammatory effects through various mechanisms were determined. In our study, we will examine the anti-inflammatory activity of thymoquinone and its effect on the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IFN-gamma by adding pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide to the lymphocyte culture. Thus, we will have information about whether thymoquinone can be useful in pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

12/07/2021 →