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Sadeghi E, Imenshahidi M, Hosseinzadeh H. Molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of black cumin (Nigella sativa) and its active constituent, thymoquinone: a review. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:5439-5454. [PMID: 37155017 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08363-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nigella sativa and its main bioactive ingredient, thymoquinone, exhibit various pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancer effects. Many studies have been conducted trying to elucidate the molecular signaling pathways that mediate these diverse pharmacological properties of N. sativa and thymoquinone. Accordingly, the goal of this review is to show the effects of N. sativa and thymoquinone on different cell signaling pathways. METHODS The online databases Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant articles using a list of related keywords such as Nigella sativa, black cumin, thymoquinone, black seed, signal transduction, cell signaling, antioxidant, Nrf2, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, apoptosis, JAK/STAT, AMPK, MAPK, etc. Only articles published in the English language until May 2022 were included in the present review article. RESULTS Studies indicate that N. sativa and thymoquinone improve antioxidant enzyme activities, effectively scavenges free radicals, and thus protect cells from oxidative stress. They can also regulate responses to oxidative stress and inflammation via Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways. N. sativa and thymoquinone can inhibit cancer cell proliferation through disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway by upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog. Thymoquinone can modulate reactive oxygen species levels in tumor cells, arrest the cell cycle in the G2/M phase as well as affect molecular targets including p53, STAT3 and trigger the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Thymoquinone, by adjusting AMPK, can regulate cellular metabolism and energy hemostasis. Finally, N. sativa and thymoquinone can elevate brain GABA content, and thus it may ameliorate epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the improvement of antioxidant status and prevention of inflammatory process by modulating the Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation through disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway appear to be the main mechanisms involved in different pharmacological properties of N. sativa and thymoquinone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Sadeghi
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Imenshahidi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 1365-91775, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseinzadeh
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 1365-91775, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Zhang Q, Yang C, Zhang M, Lu X, Cao W, Xie C, Li X, Wu J, Zhong C, Geng S. Protective effects of ginseng stem-leaf saponins on D-galactose-induced reproductive injury in male mice. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:8916-8928. [PMID: 33714944 PMCID: PMC8034965 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Panax ginseng is a perennial plant in the Araliaceae family. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) isolated from P. ginseng against D-galactose-induced reproductive function decline, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. Reproductive injuries were induced in mice via the subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (300 mg/kg) for six weeks. The mice were then treated with GSLS by intragastric administration. GSLS inhibited markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines induced by D-galactose in serum, liver and kidney, whereas GSLS increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Compared to the mice treated only with D-galactose, GSLS treatment significantly increased the average path velocity, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity, and amplitude of the lateral head displacement of mouse sperm. Meanwhile, GSLS significantly increased the testosterone level and reduced the cortisol, FSH, and LH levels. Histopathological examination revealed alterations in the number and the arrangement of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules of the mice in the GSLS group. GSLS treatment suppressed MAPKs pathway activation in testes. These results suggest that GSLS can attenuate D-galactose-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in serum, liver and kidney, and ameliorate reproductive damage by inhibiting MAPKs signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenying Yang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaomin Lu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanshuang Cao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunfeng Xie
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoting Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jieshu Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Caiyun Zhong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shanshan Geng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
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