title: Anticancer activities of Nigella sativa (black cumin).
abstract: Nigella sativa has been used as traditional medicine for centuries. The crude oil and thymoquinone (TQ) extracted from its seeds and oil are effective against many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease etc. It is effective against cancer in blood system, lung, kidney, liver, prostate, breast, cervix, skin with much safety. The molecular mechanisms behind its anticancer role is still not clearly understood, however, some studies showed that TQ has antioxidant role and improves body's defense system, induces apoptosis and controls Akt pathway. Although the anti-cancer activity of N. sativa components was recognized thousands of years ago but proper scientific research with this important traditional medicine is a history of last 2∼3 decades. There are not so many research works done with this important traditional medicine and very few reports exist in the scientific database. In this article, we have summarized the actions of TQ and crude oil of N. sativa against different cancers with their molecular mechanisms.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Science and Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P R China.
authors: Md Asaduzzaman
authors: MA
authors: Khan
authors: Han-chun
authors: HC
authors: Chen
authors: Mousumi
authors: M
authors: Tania
authors: Dian-zheng
authors: DZ
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D016227:Benzoquinones; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; C003466:thymoquinone