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Compound found in black cumin shows potential anticancer properties

09/24/2018 // Ellaine Castillo // Views

Tags: anti-cancer, black cumin, cancer, cancer treatment, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, nigella sativa, prevent cancer, thymoquinone, tumor

A study, conducted by researchers from Mansoura University, revealed that thymoquinone can lower the risk of cancer and inhibit tumor progression. This study, which was published in the Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, evaluated the preventive and therapeutic anti-cancer properties of thymoquinone in an in vivo model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma.

• Thymoquinone, a principal component of black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds, is known for its antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Animal models used in this experiment were male Swiss albino mice inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma.
• Mice were divided into the following groups: 1) control group, 2) mice orally injected with thymoquinone for four weeks, 3) mice intramuscularly inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, 4) mice orally injected with thymoquinone two weeks before experiment then intramuscularly inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, 5) mice injected with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and thymoquinone at the same time, throughout the experiment.
• Liver and tumors were collected from sacrificed mice. These were then subjected to histological, histochemical, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical examinations.

Results of the experiment showed that thymoquinone possesses potent anti-cancer properties. These properties were observed to be more effective when thymoquinone is given prior to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma rather than after. Based on this, it can be determined that thymoquinone is more effective in preventing rather than treating cancer.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal reference:

Abd El-Azim AO, Areida SK, Amer ME. THYMOQUINONE PRE-AND POST-TREATMENT EFFECTS ON EHRLICH ASCITES CARCINOMA INDUCED ALBINO MICE: AN IN VIVO STUDY. Australian Journal Of Basic And Applied Sciences. 11 November 2017;11(13). DOI:10.22587/ajbas.2017.11.13.7

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