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ROLE OF BLACK CUMIN’S ACTIVE COMPONENT-THYMOQUINONE IN CANCER

*Shahnai Basharat, Syed Amir Gilani, Muhammad Mustafa Qamar, Ayesha Basharat3, Waqas Ahmad , Nyla Basharat

Used for its medicinal properties from the early times, black cumin (Nigella sativa) has evolved to be a herb of great importance. Thymoquinone has come forth as significant phytochemical due to a range of beneficial constituents. The thymoquinone is having a positive impact against numerous ailments; black cumin has come to be of great importance by researchers in the field of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). Thymoquinone showed to be useful not just as an anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiseptic but also as a potent anticancer agent. Cancer becomes the second leading cause of death worldwide; it is an ever-increasing concern. By exhibiting strong antioxidant properties, thymoquinone has shown to have great potential against several cancers such as breast, lung, colon, gastric and bladder cancer. It is effective in inhibiting different stages of cancer such as invasion, migration and proliferation. Thymoquinone works against cancer through different modes of action. Its role is facilitated by different mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis/anti-angiogenesis and cell cycle arrest. Its primary purpose is to reduce oxidative stress in order to bring about apoptosis of the cancer cells. Many studies have concluded that the anticancer effect of thymoquinone could be enhanced when it works in coordination with some chemotherapeutic agents and has also been found to minimize their lethal side effects. With more research, thymoquinone could become an integral part of not only a regular diet but also the pharmaceutical world in combating cancer. Keywords: Black Cumin, Nigella Sativa, Thymoquinone, Cancer

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