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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

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Cancer: Thymoquinone antioxidant/pro-oxidant effect as potential anticancer remedy

Yasmina K Mahmoud1, Heba M A Abdelrazek2

  • 1Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|May 7, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Thymoquinone (TQ), from black seed, shows anticancer and chemosensitizing effects by promoting apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and immune support. This natural compound also inhibits angiogenesis and metastasis, offering a potential therapeutic agent.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Growing interest in natural bioactive compounds for cancer therapy.
  • Black seed (Nigella sativa) contains thymoquinone (TQ), a compound with demonstrated health benefits.
  • TQ exhibits promising anticancer and chemosensitizing properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential aspects and mechanisms of thymoquinone's anticancer actions.
  • To explore TQ's role in cancer treatment and its interaction with traditional therapies.
  • To highlight TQ's effects on key cancer processes like apoptosis, cell cycle, and metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on thymoquinone.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying TQ's anticancer effects.
  • Examination of TQ's immunomodulatory and side-effect-mitigating properties.

Main Results:

  • TQ promotes apoptosis and induces cell cycle arrest in cancer cells.
  • TQ generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributing to its cytotoxic effects.
  • TQ enhances the immune system and reduces side effects of conventional chemotherapy.
  • TQ effectively controls angiogenesis and cancer metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • Thymoquinone is a potent natural compound with multifaceted anticancer mechanisms.
  • TQ demonstrates significant potential as a standalone or adjuvant cancer therapeutic agent.
  • Further research into TQ's clinical applications is warranted to optimize its use in oncology.
Keywords:
AngiogenesisAnticancerApoptosisPro-oxidantThymoquinone

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