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Thymoquinone as a Potential Adjuvant Therapy for Cancer Treatment: Evidence from Preclinical Studies

A G M Mostofa1, Md Kamal Hossain2, Debasish Basak1

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of DhakaDhaka, Bangladesh.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|June 30, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Thymoquinone (TQ), from Nigella sativa, shows promise as an anticancer agent by targeting multiple tumor processes. TQ enhances conventional cancer therapies and reduces side effects, suggesting its potential as a complementary treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Natural product chemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Thymoquinone (TQ) is the primary active compound in Nigella sativa.
  • Preclinical studies indicate TQ possesses significant anticancer properties.
  • TQ's multitargeting nature affects various cancer hallmarks like growth, invasion, and angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the adjuvant potential of Thymoquinone (TQ) in cancer treatment.
  • To discuss the pharmacological properties of TQ that support its role as an adjuvant therapy.
  • To explore TQ's ability to enhance conventional cancer treatments and mitigate toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies on Thymoquinone (TQ).
  • Analysis of TQ's pharmacological mechanisms against cancer hallmarks.
  • Evaluation of TQ's synergistic effects with standard cancer therapies.

Main Results:

  • Thymoquinone (TQ) demonstrates anticancer effects by inhibiting carcinogenesis, proliferation, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis.
  • TQ sensitizes tumor cells to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
  • TQ can reduce the toxic effects of cancer therapies on normal cells.

Conclusions:

  • Thymoquinone (TQ) shows significant potential as a complementary adjuvant therapy for cancer.
  • Further preclinical and clinical evaluations are warranted to establish TQ's efficacy and safety.
  • TQ may enhance the effectiveness of standard cancer treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Keywords:
adjuvant therapycancer treatmentpreclinical studiesthymoquinone

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