Nigella sativa Supplementation in Ruminant Diets: Production, Health, and Environmental Perspectives

An investigation into the usage of black cumin derivatives against cancer and COVID-19 as the nature medicine

Black cumin has been used as a spice and food preservative for years. Thymol, thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and dihydrothymoquinone are the most important natural agents in black cumin. In order to determine the most active compound in black cumin the theoretical calculations have been carried out in different phases by using the density functional theory (DFT). The inhibition effect of black cumin derivatives on Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) has been determined and supported the experimental studies without losing time and matter. The chemical activity, stability and solubility of the active substances in black cumin have been theoretically calculated. The chemical active compounds had been investigated in the black seeds when extracted with water. Their stability and polarity in blood and water are important parameters. HDAC2- dihydrothymoquinone interaction has been investigated. It has been determined that the active substances found in black cumin are very effective in protecting ACE2 against COVID-19 and by comparing the docking results of important receptors and selected ligands on COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Therapeutic Potential of Thymoquinone and Its Nanoformulations in Pulmonary Injury: A Comprehensive Review

As a crucial organ, the lung is exposed to various harmful agents that may induce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may cause chronic or acute lung injury. Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, has been widely used to treat various diseases and is one of the most extensively researched medicinal plants. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component of black seed volatile oil and has been proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic properties. The potential therapeutic properties of TQ against various pulmonary disorders have been studied in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, the application of nanotechnology may increase drug solubility, cellular absorption, drug release (sustained or control), and drug delivery to lung tissue target sites. As a result, fabricating TQ as nanoparticles (NPs) is a potential therapeutic approach against a variety of lung diseases. In this current review, we summarize recent findings on the efficacy of TQ and its nanotypes in lung disorders caused by immunocompromised conditions such as cancer, diabetes, gastric ulcers, and other neurodegenerative diseases. It is concluded that TQ nanoparticles with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiasthma, and antitumor activity may be safely applied to treat lung disorders. However, more research is required before TQ nanoparticles can be used as pharmaceutical preparations in human studies.