Targeting kinases with thymoquinone: a molecular approach to cancer therapeutics

Syeda Samira Afrose1, Md Junaid2, Yeasmin Akter3

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh.

Drug Discovery Today
|July 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a natural compound that shows anticancer potential by regulating key kinases involved in cancer development. This review explores TQ

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Kinases are crucial for cellular functions, and their dysregulation is linked to cancer.
  • Overexpressed kinases are significant targets for developing anticancer drugs.
  • Thymoquinone (TQ), a natural compound, exhibits promising preclinical anticancer activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Thymoquinone (TQ) in regulating various kinases.
  • To explore the potential mechanisms of TQ's anticancer effects through kinase inhibition.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical studies on Thymoquinone (TQ).
  • Analysis of TQ's interactions with specific kinases involved in cancer.

Main Results:

  • TQ targets multiple kinases, including PI3K, MAPK, JAK/STAT, PLK1, and tyrosine kinases.
  • Evidence suggests TQ inhibits kinase activity or suppresses their expression.
  • These actions were observed in various cancer cell lines and animal models.

Conclusions:

  • Thymoquinone (TQ) demonstrates potential as an anticancer agent by modulating kinase activity.
  • Further research into TQ's kinase-targeting mechanisms could lead to novel cancer therapies.

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