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Haif SK, Al Kury LT, Talib WH. Combination of Thymoquinone and Intermittent Fasting as a Treatment for Breast Cancer Implanted in Mice. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:35. [PMID: 38202341 PMCID: PMC10780740 DOI: 10.3390/plants13010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer stands out as a particularly challenging form of cancer to treat among various types. Traditional treatment methods have been longstanding approaches, yet their efficacy has diminished over time owing to heightened toxicity, adverse effects, and the emergence of multi-drug resistance. Nevertheless, a viable solution has emerged through the adoption of a complementary treatment strategy utilizing natural substances and the incorporation of intermittent fasting to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to assess the anticancer activity of thymoquinone (TQ), intermittent fasting, and their combination using in vivo and in vitro methods. The anti-proliferative activity of TQ and fasting (glucose/serum restriction) were evaluated against the T47D, MDA-MB-231, and EMT6 cell lines and compared to normal cell lines (Vero) using the MTT colorimetric assay method. Additionally, this study aimed to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of TQ. For the in vivo experiment, the antitumor activity of TQ and intermittent fasting (IF) was assessed by measuring the tumor sizes using a digital caliper to determine the change in the tumor size and survival rates. At the molecular level, the serum levels of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), leptin, and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured using standard kits. Additionally, the aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatinine serum levels were measured. The inhibition of the breast cancer cell lines was achieved by TQ. TQ and intermittent fasting both had an additional anticancer effect against breast tumors inoculated in mice. The combination therapy was evaluated and found to significantly reduce the tumor size, with a change in tumor size of -57.7%. Additionally, the combination of TQ and IF led to a decrease in the serum levels of glucose, IGF-1 (24.49 ng/mL) and leptin (1.77 ng/mL) while increasing β-hydroxybutyrate in the mice given combination therapy (200.86 nM) with no toxicity on the liver or kidneys. In the mice receiving combination therapy, TQ and IF treated breast cancer in an additive way without causing liver or kidney toxicity due to decreased levels of glucose, IGF-1, and leptin and increased levels of β-hydroxybutyrate. Further investigation is required to optimize the doses and determine the other possible mechanisms exhibited by the novel combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatha Khaled Haif
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931-166, Jordan;
| | - Lina T. Al Kury
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wamidh H. Talib
- Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931-166, Jordan
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Alam M, Hasan GM, Ansari MM, Sharma R, Yadav DK, Hassan MI. Therapeutic implications and clinical manifestations of thymoquinone. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 200:113213. [PMID: 35472482 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ), a natural phytochemical predominantly found in Nigella sativa, has been investigated for its numerous health benefits. TQ showed anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, validated in various disease models. The anti-cancer potential of TQ is goverened by anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS production, anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of cell migration and invasion action. Additionally, TQ exhibited antitumor activity via the modulation of multiple pathways and molecular targets, including Akt, ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB. The present review highlighted the anticancer potential of TQ . We summarize the anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of TQ, focusing on its molecular targets and its promising action in cancer therapy. We further described the molecular mechanisms by which TQ prevents signaling pathways that mediate cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzar Alam
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Gulam Mustafa Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Meraj Ansari
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Rishi Sharma
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249203, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon City, 21924, South Korea.
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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Farooq J, Sultana R, Taj T, Asdaq SMB, Alsalman AJ, Mohaini MA, Al Hawaj MA, Kamal M, Alghamdi S, Imran M, Shahin H, Tabassum R. Insights into the Protective Effects of Thymoquinone against Toxicities Induced by Chemotherapeutic Agents. Molecules 2021; 27:molecules27010226. [PMID: 35011457 PMCID: PMC8746502 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The drugs used to treat cancer not only kill fast-growing cancer cells, but also kill or slow the growth of healthy cells, causing systemic toxicities that lead to altered functioning of normal cells. Most chemotherapeutic agents have serious toxicities associated with their use, necessitating extreme caution and attention. There is a growing interest in herbal remedies because of their pharmacological activities, minimal side effects, and low cost. Thymoquinone, a major component of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa Linn, also known as black cumin or black seeds, is commonly used in Middle Eastern countries as a condiment. It is also utilized for medicinal purposes and possesses antidiabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. This review attempts to compile the published literature demonstrating thymoquinone's protective effect against chemotherapeutic drug-induced toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juveriya Farooq
- Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Pharmacy College and Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India; (J.F.); (T.T.); (H.S.); (R.T.)
| | - Rokeya Sultana
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Yenepoya Pharmacy College and Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
- Correspondence: or (R.S.); or (S.M.B.A.)
| | - Tahreen Taj
- Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Pharmacy College and Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India; (J.F.); (T.T.); (H.S.); (R.T.)
| | - Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: or (R.S.); or (S.M.B.A.)
| | - Abdulkhaliq J. Alsalman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Arar 91911, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammed Al Mohaini
- Basic Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 31982, Saudi Arabia;
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Thuwal 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maitham A. Al Hawaj
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mehnaz Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Saad Alghamdi
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohd. Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Arar 91911, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Haleema Shahin
- Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Pharmacy College and Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India; (J.F.); (T.T.); (H.S.); (R.T.)
| | - Ruheena Tabassum
- Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Pharmacy College and Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India; (J.F.); (T.T.); (H.S.); (R.T.)
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Thymoquinone, as a Novel Therapeutic Candidate of Cancers. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040369. [PMID: 33923474 PMCID: PMC8074212 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, natural products are widely used as pharmaceutical agents for many human diseases and cancers. One of the most popular natural products that have been studied for anticancer properties is thymoquinone (TQ). As a bioactive compound of Nigella sativa, TQ has shown anticancer activities through the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The anticancer efficacy of TQ is being investigated in several human cancers such as pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, hepatic cancer, cervical cancer, and leukemia. Even though TQ induces apoptosis by regulating the expression of pro- apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes in many cancers, the TQ effect mechanism on such cancers is not yet fully understood. Therefore, the present review has highlighted the TQ effect mechanisms on several signaling pathways and expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSG). Data from relevant published experimental articles on TQ from 2015 to June 2020 were selected by using Google Scholar and PubMed search engines. The present study investigated the effectiveness of TQ alone or in combination with other anticancer therapeutic agents, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors on cancers, as a future anticancer therapy nominee by using nanotechnology.
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