• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8313-8319
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• 2016

We have recently shown that thymoquinone (TQ) has a potent cytotoxic effect and induces apoptosis via caspase-3 activation with down-regulation of XIAP in mouse neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cells. Interestingly, our results showed that TQ was significantly more cytotoxic towards Neuro-2a cells when compared with primary normal neuronal cells. In this study, the effects of TQ on cell-cycle regulation and the mechanisms that contribute to this effect were investigated using Neuro-2a cells. Cell-cycle analysis performed by flow cytometry revealed cell-cycle arrest at G2/M phase and a significant increase in the accumulation of TQ-treated cells at sub-G1 phase, indicating induction of apoptosis by the compound. Moreover, TQ increased the expression of p53, p21 mRNA and protein levels, whereas it decreased the protein expression of PCNA, cyclin B1 and Cdc2 in a dose-dependent manner. Our finding suggests that TQ could suppress cell growth and cell survival via arresting the cell-cycle in the G2/M phase and inducing apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2012

Thymoquinone (TQ), a drug extracted from the black seeds of Nigella sativa, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-neoplastic effects in numerous cancer cells. The effects of TQ on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in MDA-MB-231, however, remain poorly understood. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were performed to study the expression levels of inflammation regulatory proteins in MDA-MB-231. $PGE_2$ assay was conducted to explore the TQ-induced production of $PGE_2$. In this study, we investigated the effects of TQ on COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production in MDA-MB-231. TQ significantly induced COX-2 expression and increased $PGE_2$ production in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by a Western blot analysis and $PGE_2$ assay. Furthermore, the activation of Akt and p38 kinase, respectively, was up-regulated in TQ treated cells. Inhibition of p38 kinase with SB203580 and PI3kinase (PI3K) with LY294002 abolished TQ-caused COX-2 expression and decreased $PGE_2$ production. These results collectively demonstrate that TQ effectively modulates COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production via PI3K and p38 kinase pathways in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2021

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is likely to metastasize to other organs, and is often resistant to conventional chemotherapies. Thymoquinone (TQ), a phytochemical derived from the seeds of Nigella sativa, has been shown to inhibit migration and metastasis in various cancers. In this study, we assessed the effect of TQ on the migratory activity of human RCC Caki-1 cells. We found that treatment with TQ reduced the proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in Caki-1 cells. TQ significantly repressed prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, its EP2 receptor expression as well as the activation of Akt and p38, the wellknown upstream signal proteins of MMP-9. In addition, treatment with butaprost, a PGE2 agonist, also induced MMP-9 activity and migration/invasion in Caki-1 cells. Moreover, pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K/Akt and p38 remarkably attenuated butaprost-induced Caki-1 cell migration and invasion, implying that activation of PI3K/Akt and p38 is a bridge between the PGE2-EP2 axis and MMP-9-dependent migration and invasion. Taken together, these data suggest that TQ is a promising anti-metastatic drug to treat advanced and metastatic RCC.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.284-293
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• 2018

Objectives: Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the active ingredients of herbal plants such as Nigella sativa L. (NS) which has beneficial effects on the body. The beneficial effects of TQ on the cardiovascular system have reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TQ on cardiac fibrosis and permeability, serum and tissue concentration of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress status in chronic lipopolysaccharide exposure in male rats. Methods: Seventy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: (1) control; (2) LPS (1 mg/kg/day); (3-5) LPS + TQ with three doses of 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg (n=14 in each group). After 3 weeks, serum and cardiac levels of $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, and cardiac levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol groups, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, permeability of heart tissue (evaluated by Evans blue dye method) and myocardial fibrosis were determined, histologically. Results: LPS administration induced myocardial and perivascular fibrosis and increased cardiac oxidative stress (MDA), inflammatory markers and heart permeability, while, reduced anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD and CAT) and the total thiol group. Administration of TQ significantly attenuated these observations. Conclusion: TQ improved myocardial and perivascular fibrosis through suppression of chronic inflammation and improving oxidative stress status and can be considered for attenuation of cardiac fibrosis in conditions with chronic low-grade inflammation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.664-669
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• 2010

The present study aimed to investigate the membrane stabilizing effect of Thymoquinone (TQ) on cell surface glycoconjugates and cytokeratin expression against DMBA induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. 0.5% DMBA painting (three times per week) in hamster buccal pouches for 14 weeks resulted in the formation of well developed oral squamous cell carcinoma. We observed 100% tumor formation with marked abnormalities of glycoconjugates status in tumor bearing hamsters as compared to control animals. Oral administration of TQ at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight, to DMBA painted hamsters on alternate days for 14 weeks, reduced the tumor formation as well as protected the levels of cell surface glycoconjugates in DMBA painted hamsters. The present study thus suggests that TQ has potent chemopreventive efficacy as well as protected the abnormalities on cell surface glycoconjugates during DMBA induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.206-219
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of local application of thymoquinone (TQ) on bone healing in experimental bone defects infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG). Methods: Forty-two female rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. A bone defect was created on the right tibia of all animals. The PG, PG/collagen membrane (COL) and PG/TQ/COL groups were infected with PG. In the COL and PG/COL groups, the defects were covered with a COL; in the TQ/COL and PG/TQ/COL groups, the defects were covered with a TQ-containing COL. After 28 days, all animals were sacrificed. Quantitative measurements of new bone formation and osteoblast lining, as well as semiquantitative measurements of capillary density and tissue response, were analyzed. Furthermore, the presence of bacterial infections in defect areas was evaluated. Results: The new bone formation, osteoblast number, and capillary density were significantly higher in the TQ groups than in the control groups (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.01, respectively). In a comparison between the TQ/COL group, with a TQ-containing COL (TQ/COL), and the PG-infected TQ-containing COL (PG/TQ/COL) group, the newly formed bone and capillary density were higher in the TQ/COL group (P<0.01). When the control group was compared to the PG, PG/COL, and PG/TQ/COL groups in terms of tissue response, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001, P=0.02, and P=0.041, respectively). The intensity of the inflammatory cell reaction was higher in the PG, PG/COL, and PG/TQ/COL groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the local application of a TQ-containing COL positively affected bone healing even if the bone defects were infected. The results suggest that TQ increased angiogenesis and showed promise for accelerating bone defect healing. Further research is warranted to support these findings and reach more definitive conclusions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6159-6164
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• 2013

Background: Phytochemical compounds are emerging as a new generation of anticancer agents with limited toxicity in cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effcts of thymoquinone, caffeic acid phenylester (CAPE) and resveratrol on inflammatory markers, oxidative stress parameters, mRNA expression levels of proteins and survival of lung cancer cells in Vitro. Materials and Methods: The A549 cell line was treated with benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene plus caffeic acid phenylester (CAPE), benzo(a)pyrene plus resveratrol (RES), and benzo(a)pyrene plus thymoquinone (TQ). Inflammatory markers, oxidative stress parameters, mRNA expression levels of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins and cell viability were assessed and results were compared among study groups. Results: TQ treatment up-regulated Bax and down-regulated Bcl2 proteins and increased the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. CAPE and TQ also up-regulated Bax expression. RES and TQ down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2. All three agents decreased the expression of cyclin D and increased the expression of p21. However, the most significant up-regulation of p21 expression was observed in TQ treated cells. CAPE, RES and TQ up-regulated TRAIL receptor 1 and 2 expression. RES and TQ down-regulated the expression of NF-kappa B and IKK1. Viability of CAPE, RES and TQ treated cells was found to be significantly decreased when compared with the control group (p=0.004). Conclusions: Our results revealed up-regulation of the key upstream signaling factors, which ultimately cause increase in their regulatory p53 levels affecting the induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Overall these results provide mechanistic insights for understanding the molecular basis and utility of the anti-tumor activity of TQ, RES and CAPE.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2003

This study was designed to investigate the effects of main constituents of Nigella sativa (NS) seed on the survival and CNS responses in experimental animals. The toxicological investigations were conducted for the determination of median lethal doses $(LD_{50})$ of NS seed constituents [i.e. aqueous extract (AE), fixed oil (FO), volatile oil (VO)] and main components of its VO [i.e. thymoquinone (TQ), ${\alpha}-pinene$ (AP) and p-cymene (PC)]. A part of this study includes evaluation NS constituents in the induction of minimal neurological deficit (MND) as a parameter for neurotoxicity using chimney test. In this study, the i.p. $LD_{50}$ values of AE, FO, VO, TQ (suspended In 0.5%CMC), TQ (dissolved in corn oil), AP and PC, were 3020, 3371, 1853, 616.6, 90.3, 1726 and 1523 mg/kg, respectively. All the NS constituents can be considered moderately toxic ($LD_{50}$ ranged from 616.6 to 3371 mg/kg), except the oily solution of TQ, which was very toxic ($LD_{50}$ was 90.3 mg/kg). It appeared that the toxicity of the whole VO is mainly due to its content of TQ and to some extent PC. All the NS constituents induced different degrees of MND at certain dose levels. The median neurotoxic (or sedating) doses $(TD_{50})$ of AE, FO, VO, TQ (suspended in CMC) and AP and PC, were 950, 1403, 306, 88.1, >173 and 368 mg/kg, respectively. TQ was the most potent component in inducing MND, whereas the FO and AE were the least. Neurotoxicity induced by the VO in the chimney test may refer basically to its contents of TQ and to some extent PC and AP.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.179-193
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• 2017

Objectives: Nigella sativa (black seed or black cumin), which belongs to the Ranunculacea family, is an annual herb with many pharmacological properties. Among its many active constituents, thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant constituent of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds, and it is the constituent to which most properties of this herb are attributed. Methods: PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) investigating the therapeutic effects of N. sativa and/or TQ. In this review, we investigated the clinical uses of N. sativa and TQ in the prevention and the treatment of different diseases and morbidity conditions in humans. Results: Black seed and TQ are shown to possess multiple useful effects for the treatment of patients with several diseases, such as inflammatory and auto-immune disorders, as well as metabolic syndrome. Also, other advantages, including antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and anti-epileptic properties, have been documented. The side effects of this herbal medicine appear not to be serious, so it can be applied in clinical trials because of its many advantages. Conclusion: Some effects of N. sativa, such as its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and bronchodilatory effects, have been sufficiently studied and are sufficiently understood to allow for the next phase of clinical trials or drug developments. However, most of its other effects and applications require further clinical and animal studies.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2019

Objective: In the current work, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and Cis-platinum, on normal renal epithelial (GP-293) and human renal adenocarcinoma cell lines (ACHN). Methods: GP-293 and ACHN cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin plus streptomycin antibiotic. The MTT assay was used for cellular viability assessment. Viability of cells was observed using inverted light microscope 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of TQ (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$) and Cis-platinum (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and $12.5{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, apoptosis was analyzed with a flow-cytometry method. The untreated cells were considered as control group. Results: Morphological changes such as reduced cell number and increased intercellular distance and reduced cell viability in ACHN and GP-293cell lines were observed in both TQ and Cis- platinum groups; however, Cis-platinum had greater effect on ACHN cell line than GP-293 cell line. In addition, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ compared to ACHN cell line. Furthermore, TQ and Cis-platinum had apoptotic effects on both ACHN and GP-293 cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that TQ and Cis-platinum had cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on both cell lines, However, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ. Additionally, Cis-platinum was more effective on ACHN cell line than on GP-293 cell line.