The seeds of Nigella sativa (often referred to as black seed) have long been utilized as a medicinal herb in Middle Eastern, Northern African, and Indian cultures. Historically, black seed has been used to treat a variety of illnesses associated with inflammation. More recent studies have found that it induces apoptosis and displays anticancer activity in animal and cellular models. The major b...

Nigella sativa has attracted healers in ancient civilizations and researchers in recent times. Traditionally, it has been used in different forms to treat many diseases including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, cough, bronchitis, headache, eczema, fever, dizziness and influenza. Experimentally, it has been demonstrated that N. sativa extracts and the main constituent of their vola...

The separate effects of alpha-hederin and thymoquinone, the two principal bioactive constituents of Nigella sativa, on four human cancer cell lines [A549 (lung carcinoma), HEp-2 (larynx epidermoid carcinoma), HT-29 (colon adenocarcinoma) and MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas carcinoma)] were investigated. Alpha-hederin was also examined as a pro-drug. Each assessment quantified both cytotoxic and apoptotic/...

Administration of thymoquinone (10 mg kg(-1)day(-1), p.o.) with drinking water starting 5 days before a single injection of doxorubicin (15 mg kg(-1)i.p.) and continuing during the experimental period ameliorated the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. This protection was evidenced from the significant reduction in serum enzymes: lactate dehydrogenase elevated level, 24 h and creatine p...

OBJECTIVE Several phytochemical agents have been known to exhibit a neuroprotective effect. Among them, curcumin, linalool, rutin, safranal, and thymoquinone were widely investigated and neuroprotective activity of each of them was shown by several studies. This work was planned to investigate whether different combinations of them could induce better neuroprotective effect against glucose/seru...

The natural compound thymoquinone, extracted from Nigella sativa (black cumin), is widely used in humans for its anti-oxidative properties. Thymoquinone is known for its acute endothelium-independent vasodilator effects in isolated rat aortae and pulmonary arteries, depending in part on activation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels and inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium...

PURPOSE The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), thymoquinone, and zeolite in corrosive esophageal burns was investigated in a rat model. METHODS Four groups were comprised as containing 10 rats in each group. For group I, oesophagitis was induced and no other procedure was performed (control group). For group II, oesophagitis was induced and thymoquinone was administered for 1 week v...

BACKGROUND/AIMS In this study, we aimed to evaluate the histopathological effects of thymoquinone treatment of the nasal mucosa in a rabbit model of allergic rhinitis, and we compared its effects with those of nasal mometasone furoate. METHODS A total of 24 male New Zealand rabbits were used. The animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 received no treatment, while group ...

Osteoporosis is a medical condition which affects millions of men and women. People with osteoporosis have low bone mass that places them at increased risk of bone fracture. A promising approach is developed as alternative (non pharmaceutical) strategies for bone maintenance, as well as for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Certain plants from the different families have shown the g...

OBJECTIVES For determining the mechanism of anti-asthmatic effect of thymoquinone, this investigation evaluated the effect of thymoquinone in the presence of selective A2A and A2B adenosine receptor antagonists (ZM241385 and MRS1706, respectively). MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy guinea pigs were randomly divided to 7 groups; control (C), sensitized with ovalbumin (S), sensitized groups pretrea...