Thymoquinone (2-Isopropyl-5-methyl-1, 4-benzoquinone) as a chemopreventive/anticancer agent: Chemistry and biological effects

Publication date: December 2019Source: Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, Volume 27, Issue 8Author(s): Anas Ahmad, Rakesh Kumar Mishra, Akshay Vyawahare, Ajay Kumar, Muneeb U. Rehman, Wajhul Qamar, Abdul Quaiyoom Khan, Rehan KhanAbstractCancer remains the topmost disorder of the mankind and number of cases is unceasingly growing at unprecedented rates. Although the synthetic anti-cancer compounds still hold the largest market in the modern treatment of cancer, natural agents have always been tried and tested for potential anti-cancer properties. Thymoquinone (TQ), a monoterpene and main ingredient in the essential oil of Nigella sativa L. has got very eminent rankings in the traditional systems of medicine for its anti-cancer pharmacological properties. In this review we summarized the diverse aspects of TQ including its chemistry, biosynthesis, sources and pharmacological properties with a major concern being attributed to its anti-cancer efficacies. The role of TQ in different aspects involved in the pathogenesis of cancer like inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, proliferation, invasion and migration have been described. The mechanism of action of TQ in different cancer types has been briefly accounted. Other safety and toxicological aspects and some combination therapies involving TQ have also been touched. A detailed literature search was carried out using various online search engines like google scholar and pubmed regarding the available research an...
Source: Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research