Thymoquinone

Thymoquinone is a phytochemical compound found in the plant Nigella sativa. It is also found in select cultivated Monarda fistulosa plants grown and steam distilled in the USA producing an essential oil.

Clinical study

In 2010, an Iranian pilot study was done where thymoquinone was administered to children with epilepsy. Thymoquinone may have anti-convulsant action in pediatric epilepsy. Thymoquinone and other componetns of N. sativa may be neuroprotective.

As of November 2013 there were no clinical trials for thymoquinone registered by the U.S government.

Research in animals

It has antioxidant effects and has been shown to protect against heart, liver and kidney damage in animal studies as well as having possible anti-cancer effects.

It also has analgesic and anticonvulsant effects in animal models. It is an angiogenesis inhibitor.

In 2008 in-vitro tests showed it was an HDAC inhibitor, affecting genes such p53, Bax, bcl-2 and p21.

Thymoquinone has been studied for its potential effects on colon cancer cells. It reduces mouse colon tumor cell invasion and inhibits tumor growth in animal models of colon cancer. The stress response sensor CHEK1 may contribute to the anti-colon cancer effects of thymoquinone. Thymoquinone may affect immune function by influencing dendritic cell functions such as maturation, cell pH (by affecting Na+/H+ activity), oxidative burst, migration and cytokine release. Dendritic cell volume may also be affected by thymoquinone.