Thymoquinone: A small molecule from nature with high therapeutic potential

Malik, Safiya; Singh, Amardeep; Negi, Poonam; Kapoor, Vijay K.

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2021.07.013

Cited by 32 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 63 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition to TQ (30–48%), thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, cymene (7–15%), carvacrol (6–12%), 4-terpineol (2–7%), t -anethol (1–4%), α-pinene, and thymol are present at good concentrations in NSO. The low toxicity of the oil suggests a wide margin of safety at the therapeutic doses of NSO [ 4 ]. Nanoemulgels are a novel drug delivery system candidate that is specifically being explored in the research and development of various topical formulations for both pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Optimization of Methylcellulose-Based Nanoemulgel Loaded with Nigella sativa Oil for Oral Health Management: Quadratic Model Approach

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The present study aimed to develop a local dental nanoemulgel formulation of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) for the treatment of periodontal diseases. NSO purchased from a local market was characterized using a GC–MS technique. A nanoemulsion containing NSO was prepared and incorporated into a methylcellulose gel base to develop the nanoemulgel formulation. The developed formulation was optimized using a Box–Behnken statistical design (quadratic model) with 17 runs. The effects of independent factors, such as water, oil, and polymer concentrations, were studied on two dependent responses, pH and viscosity. The optimized formulation was further evaluated for droplet size, drug release, stability, and antimicrobial efficacy. The developed formulation had a pH of 7.37, viscosity of 2343 cp, and droplet size of 342 ± 36.6 nm. Sustained release of the drug from the gel for up to 8 h was observed, which followed Higuchi release kinetics with non-Fickian diffusion. The developed nanoemulgel formulation showed improved antimicrobial activity compared to the plain NSO. Given the increasing emergence of periodontal diseases and antimicrobial resistance, an effective formulation based on a natural antibacterial agent is warranted as a dental therapeutic agent.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Optimization of Methylcellulose-Based Nanoemulgel Loaded with Nigella sativa Oil for Oral Health Management: Quadratic Model Approach

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Oils and TQ exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, etc. [10,11]. In the cell, TQ can be a potent redox-active compound that can undergo enzymatic and nonenzymatic redox cycling with its corresponding semiquinone radical; as a result, superoxide anion radicals can be generated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GSH Protects the Escherichia coli Cells from High Concentrations of Thymoquinone

Łyżeń¹,

Gawron²,

Kadziński³

et al. 2022

Molecules

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of glutathione (GSH) on Escherichia coli cells grown in a high concentration of thymoquinone (TQ). This quinone, as the main active compound of Nigella sativa seed oil, exhibits a wide range of biological activities. At low concentrations, it acts as an antioxidant, and at high concentrations, an antimicrobial agent. Therefore, any interactions between thymoquinone and glutathione are crucial for cellular defense against oxidative stress. In this study, we found that GSH can conjugate with thymoquinone and its derivatives in vitro, and only fivefold excess of GSH was sufficient to completely deplete TQ and its derivatives. We also carried out studies on cultures of GSH-deficient Escherichia coli strains grown on a minimal medium in the presence of different concentrations of TQ. The strains harboring mutations in gene ΔgshA and ΔgshB were about two- and fourfold more sensitive (256 and 128 µg/mL, respectively) than the wild type. It was also revealed that TQ concentration has an influence on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in E. coli strains—at the same thymoquinone concentration, the level of ROS was higher in GSH-deficient E. coli strains than in wild type.

show abstract

“…Shedding light on the mechanisms of action that justify the observed secondary metabolite bioeffects is an essential point where more research is needed before it can advance towards clinical therapy. The secondary metabolite thymoquinone can be extracted from the seed oil of Nigella sativa L. (black seed oil) and exhibits several biological activities [13], among which are relevant antitumor properties, and has already been the subject of clinical studies (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03208790). However, its mechanism of action is not yet fully understood.…”

Section: Contributionsmentioning

confidence: 99%