Nigella sativa (N. sativa) L. (Ranunculaceae), also known as black cumin, is a very rich medicinal plant, full of stories and benefits. It draws its benefits from its main bioactive constituent, Thymoquinone (TQ). According to scientific studies, Thymoquinone has very few side effects. The interest in this isolated active ingredient has only increased over the years due to its many advantages and its low toxicity rate.
Several clinical studies have demonstrated the pharmacological properties of the plant, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antibacterial properties, and even on gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and neuronal disorders.
Clinical studies have also revealed anti-cancer properties of Thymoquinone, which will prevent inflammation and oxidative stress and therefore prevent the proliferation of cancer cells according to different reactions.
Applications of its benefits
Thymoquinone is therapeutically indicated against many diseases and chronic conditions such as:
Weight loss - Hypertension - Tumor - Asthma - Hypertension - Liver disease - Generative neurode diseases - Type 2 diabetes - Bacterial infections - Dyslipidemia: Abnormally high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood.
In addition, it helps relieve headaches, stimulate metabolism and the immune system; it is useful to reduce the pain of teeth, gums, or against insomnia and anxiety.
NB: The advice given is for information only and does not constitute medical advice. Refer to your doctor for medical follow-up and more information.
Sources:
Ong YS, Saiful Yazan L, Ng WK, Abdullah R, Mustapha NM, Sapuan S, Foo JB, Tor YS, How CW, Abd Rahman N, Zakarial Ansar FH. Thymoquinone loaded in nanostructured lipid carrier showed enhanced anticancer activity in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Nanomedicine (London). 2018 Jul;13(13):1567-1582. doi: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0322. Erratum in: Nanomedicine (Lond). 2019 Jun;14(11):1513. PMID: 30028248.
Darakhshan S, Bidmeshki Pour A, Hosseinzadeh Colagar A, Sisakhtnezhad S. Thymoquinone and its therapeutic potentials. Pharmacol Res. 2015 May-Jun;95-96:138-58. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.03.011. Epub 2015 Mar 28. PMID: 25829334.
Alhmied F, Alammar A, Alsultan B, Alshehri M, Pottoo FH. Molecular Mechanisms of Thymoquinone as Anticancer Agent. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2021;24(10):1644-1653. doi: 10.2174/1386207323999201027225305. PMID: 33115388.
Leong XF, Choy KW, Alias A. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Thymoquinone in Atherosclerosis: A Mini Review. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Dec 15;12:758929. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.758929. PMID: 34975474; PMCID: PMC8715035.
Hannan MA, Rahman MA, Sohag AAM, Uddin MJ, Dash R, Sikder MH, Rahman MS, Timalsina B, Munni YA, Sarker PP, Alam M, Mohibbullah M, Haque MN, Jahan I, Hossain MT, Afrin T, Rahman MM , Tahjib-Ul-Arif M, Mitra S, Oktaviani DF, Khan MK, Choi HJ, Moon IS, Kim B. Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety. Nutrients. 2021 May 24;13(6):1784. doi: 10.3390/nu13061784. PMID: 34073784; PMCID: PMC8225153.
Badary OA, Hamza MS, Tikamdas R. Thymoquinone: A Promising Natural Compound with Potential Benefits for COVID-19 Prevention and Cure. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2021 May 3;15:1819-1833. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S308863. PMID: 33976534; PMC ID: PMC8106451.
