Black Cumin Compound With Anticancer Potential

The team from Mansoura University investigated preventative and therapeutic anticancer properties of thymoquinone in an in vivo model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in this study. Thymoquinone is a compound in black cumin seeds that are known for antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory properties. Male Swiss albino mice animal models inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma were used in the study which were divided into 5 groups: 1) a control group; 2) a group orally injected with thymoquinone for 4 weeks; 3) mice intramuscularly inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells; 4) mice orally injected with thymoquinone 2 weeks before the study and then intramuscularly inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma; and 5) mice injected with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and thymoquinone at the same time throughout the study. Animal model’s livers and tumors were collected which were subjected to assessment through histological, histochemical, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical examinations.

Findings showed that thymoquinone possesses potent anticancer properties which were observed to be more effective when given prior to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma rather than after, according to the researchers; based on this the team determined that thymoquinone is more effective in prevention rather than in treating cancer.