Effect of Thymoquinone on Interleukin-8, FEV1, and COPD Assessment Test Score in Stable Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

ABSTRACT Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a persistent airway obstruction, is caused by continuous exposure to harmful particles or irritants. Airway inflammation contributes the pathogenesis of COPD. Thymoquinone, has an anti-inflammatory effect. This study aimed to examine the effect of thymoquinone on interleukin-8 (IL-8) level, percentage of FEV1, and COPD assessment test score (CAT) in stable chronic obstructive lung disease. Subjects and Method: A quasi-experiment with pretest and posttest control group was conducted at the outpatient pulmonology unit, Dr. Moewardi, Surakarta, Central Java, from June to August 2019. A sample of 40 patients diagnosed with stable COPD was selected and allocated into two groups: (1) 20 patients treated with a combination of standard therapy and thymoquinone oil capsules 500 mg/ day; and (2) 20 patients treated with standard therapy. The dependent variables were IL-8 level, FEV1, and COPD assessment test score (CAT). The independent variables were treatment status. The data were analyzed by the paired-t-test. Results: The level of IL-8 was lower after treatment with combination of standard therapy and thymoquinone oil capsules 500 mg/ day (Mean= 14.35; SD= 3.95) than before treatment (Mean= 19.62; SD= 12.14), and it was not statistically significant (p= 0.052). The percentage of FEV1 was lower after treatment with combination of standard therapy and thymoquinone oil capsules 500 mg/ day (Mean= 42.36; SD= 14.43) than before treatment (Mean= 42.56; SD= 16.09), and it was not statistically significant (p= 0.943). The CAT score was lower after treatment with combination of standard therapy and thymoquinone oil capsules 500 mg/ day (Mean= 13.70; SD= 4.24) than before treatment (Mean= 13.70; SD= 4.24) than before treatment (Mean= 18.65; SD= 5.92), and it was statistically significant. Conclusion: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) score significantly decreases with the treatment combination of standard COPD therapy and thymoquinone oil capsules 500 mg/ day. Keywords: Thymoquinone, stable COPD, IL-8, FEV1, CAT score Correspondence: Yusup Subagio Sutanto. Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta. Jl. Kolonel Soetarto No. 132 Surakarta, Central Java. Email: dr_yusupsubagio@yahoo.com. Mobile: +62811284165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.05.34