In Vitro and In Vivo Preventive Effects of Thymoquinone against Breast Cancer: Role of DNMT1

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in women and is a major cause of female cancer-related deaths. BC is a multifactorial disease caused by the dysregulation of many genes, raising the need to find novel drugs that function by targeting several signaling pathways. The antitumoral drug thymoquinone (TQ), found in black seed oil, has multitargeting properties against several signaling pathways. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of TQ on the MCF7 and T47D human breast cancer cell lines and its antitumor activity against BC induced by a single oral dose (65 mg/kg) of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in female rats. The therapeutic activity was evaluated in DMBA-treated rats who received oral TQ (50 mg/kg) three times weekly. TQ-treated MCF7 and T47D cells showed concentration-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. TQ also decreased the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in both cancer cell types. In DMBA-treated animals, TQ inhibited the number of liver and kidney metastases. These effects were associated with a reduction in DNMT1 mRNA expression. These results indicate that TQ has protective effects against breast carcinogens through epigenetic mechanisms involving DNMT1 inhibition.

A Comprehensive Review of Various Therapeutic Strategies for the Management of Skin Cancer

“…TQ is the biologically active constituent found in black cumin ( Nigella sativa ) seeds. 162 Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of TQ in treating neoplasms, including skin, ovarian, breast, colon, prostate, liver, and cervical malignancies. 162 − 164 To sum up, this study’s results showed that TQ blocked the β-catenin signaling pathway, which in turn prevented melanogenesis in B16F10 murine melanoma cells, as well as zebrafish melanogenesis.…”

“… 162 Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of TQ in treating neoplasms, including skin, ovarian, breast, colon, prostate, liver, and cervical malignancies. 162 − 164 To sum up, this study’s results showed that TQ blocked the β-catenin signaling pathway, which in turn prevented melanogenesis in B16F10 murine melanoma cells, as well as zebrafish melanogenesis. TQ did not appear to be harmful to normal melanocytes, but it was toxic to both of the melanoma cell lines that were investigated.…”

Design, synthesis, molecular docking and in vitro anticancer activities of 1-(4-(benzamido)phenyl)-3-arylurea derivatives

“…[1][2][3] It is caused by an imbalance between the expression of oncogenes and proto-oncogenes, which is caused by genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. 4,5 Globally, the number of cancer diagnoses has climbed to 19.3 million, and each year, 10 million deaths related to cancer are reported. The most common type of cancer among women is breast cancer (BC), globally.…”