Anticancer Activities of <i>Nigella sativa</i> (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.

Proapoptotic and Antimetastatic Properties of Supercritical CO2 Extract of Nigella sativa Linn. Against Breast Cancer Cells

“…Traditionally, the seeds of N. sativa have been used to treat various illnesses, including cancer, fever, infections, and intestinal disturbances. 5 The seeds are also used as condiments, carminatives, appetizers, stimulants for menstrual flow (emmenagogue), tonics, and for increasing milk yield (galactagogue). 6 A number of studies have validated the traditional uses of N. sativa, such as antibacterial, 7 antihistamine, 8 and antioxidant effects.…”

Anticancer Activity of Petroselinum sativum Seed Extracts on MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

“…Available literatures on medicinal plants indicate that promising photochemicals can be developed for many health problems (Gupta, 1994;Rodeiro et al, 2008;Farshori et al, 2013). Plant extracts as a traditional remedies are already being used to treat a variety of diseases including cancer (Zheng et al, 1992;Svejda et al, 2010;Khan et al, 2011;Randhawa and Alghamdi, 2011;Sharma et al, 2011). The utilization of medicinal plants is more common in underdeveloped countries (Heck et al, 2000) and experimental studies showed that the extracts of the various plants can also protect against breast cancer cells (Pratumvinit et al, 2009;Abu-Dahab et al, 2012;Abdelhamed et al, 2013).…”

“…Investigations from basic research are confirming that many chemopreventive dietary compounds are active at molecular levels (Russo et al, 2005;Pan et al, 2008). Since many years, plant Nida Nayyar Farshori 1 *, Ebtesam Saad Al-Sheddi 1 , Mai Mohammad Al-Oqail 1 , Javed Musarrat 2 , Abdulaziz Ali Al-Khedhairy 2 , Maqsood Ahmed Siddiqui 2 extracts have been used as traditional remedies to treat a various diseases including cancer (Salem, 2005;Padhye et al, 2008;Gaidhani et al, 2009;Svejda et al, 2010;Khan et al, 2011;Randhawa and Alghamdi, 2011;Sharma et al, 2011). Experimental studies also revealed that seed oil and extracts of the various plants can also protect against human breast cancer (Pratumvinit et al, 2009;Abu-Dahab et al, 2012;Abdelhamed et al, 2013).…”

Efficacy of Toothpastes on Bacteria Isolated from Oral Cavity

“…15 Studies also demonstrated the anti-cancerous activity and suppression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by Curcuma longa 16 Mentha spicata, 17 Withania somnifera, 18 Nigella sativa 19 and Azadirachta indica. 20 Feng, et al 21 reported that Camellia sinensis protects buccal cells from DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species.…”