Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
09:20
Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts
Published on: June 26, 2018
8.8K
Thymoquinone, as an anticancer molecule: from basic research to clinical investigation
Md Asaduzzaman Khan1,2, Mousumi Tania3, Shangyi Fu4
1Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
Oncotarget
|September 9, 2017
Summary
Thymoquinone, a compound from black cumin, shows anticancer promise by affecting cancer cells through various mechanisms. Further clinical trials are needed to establish thymoquinone as a cancer therapeutic drug.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Thymoquinone is a natural compound found in black cumin seeds.
- It has demonstrated potential as an anticancer agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anticancer potential of thymoquinone.
- To discuss its mechanisms of action and future clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on thymoquinone's anticancer effects.
- Analysis of in vitro and animal model data.
Main Results:
- Thymoquinone exhibits anticancer activity through selective antioxidant/oxidant effects, DNA interaction, modulation of carcinogenic pathways, and immunomodulation.
- In vitro and animal studies support its efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Thymoquinone possesses multiple anticancer mechanisms.
- Clinical trials are essential to validate thymoquinone as a cancer therapeutic.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
10.3K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.3K
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
9.0K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.0K
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
30
Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
30
01:46Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
19.2K
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
19.2K
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
6.1K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
6.1K
02:18Cancer
54.8K
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
54.8K