PBM-TQ-NP

PBM-TQ-NP is an engineered nanoparticle formulation of thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive constituent derived from *Nigella sativa*. These nanoparticles are synthesized using planetary ball-milling (PBM) technology and feature a starch-based inner core encapsulated within a shell of biocompatible and biodegradable co-polymers, specifically poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL/PEG). The formulation is designed to overcome the challenges of low bioavailability and poor targeted delivery associated with natural compounds. PBM-TQ-NP is primarily investigated for the treatment of drug-resistant prostate cancer, including metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). It exerts its therapeutic effects by modulating cellular and molecular pathways involved in docetaxel resistance, such as the EGFR and ZEB1 signaling axes, and by counteracting ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporter-mediated chemoresistance (specifically ABCB1). Additionally, it downregulates key survival and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, including Akt-1, ERK1/2, NF-kB, and STAT3.

Other names

thymoquinone-encapsulated planetary ball-milled nanoparticlesTQ-PBM-NP