thymoquinone

Thymoquinone is a natural small molecule compound and the main bioactive constituent of the volatile oil from Nigella sativa (black seed). It exhibits a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects. Mechanistically, thymoquinone induces apoptosis in cancer cells by regulating pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes and inhibits cancer metastasis through activation of JNK and p38 pathways. It also modulates inflammatory responses by inhibiting NF-kB signaling and suppressing cytokine production. Preclinical studies have shown potential benefits in conditions such as cancer (various types), diabetes mellitus type 2 (as an adjunct to metformin), rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, viral infections (including SARS-CoV‑2), hypertension, dyslipidemia, asthma, renal dysfunction and more. Despite promising preclinical data and some early clinical trials for various indications—including oral potentially malignant disorders—thymoquinone remains investigational due to limited human pharmacokinetic data and poor bioavailability[1][2][3][5][7][8].

Other names

Thymoquinonp-Cymene-2,5-dione2-Isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone2-Isopropyl-5-methyl-p-benzoquinonep-Mentha-3,6-diene-2,5-dionethymolquinone5-Isopropyl-2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone