• A Review Of The Effects Of Nigella Sativa On Tumors And Cancers
  • Mehrdad Ostadpoor,1,* Naser Yazdani,2 Seyyed Hossein Heidari,3
    1. Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran
    2. Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine, Department Of Public Health, University Of Missouri- Columbia
    3. Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran


  • Introduction: Cancer is the main cause of mortality in the developed world and the second most important cause of mortality in the developing world. Overall, lung, liver, stomach, colon, and prostate cancer have the highest mortality rates. Cancer is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells and the absence of apoptosis, the controlled death of cells. Due to the high mortality associated with this disease, studies have been conducted around the world over the effects of herbal medication in order to stop or hinder the growth of cancerous cells. Recently, Nigella Sativa has gained attention with researchers due to its anti-cancerous properties that have been traced back to Thymoquinone. This study was conducted to review the history of the use of Nigella Sativa as a natural cure to control and regulate the normal cell growth mechanisms.
  • Methods: In the currents study key words including Nigella Sativa, tumor, cell mechanism, Apoptosis, cancer, Nigella Sativa and Thymoquinone from MeSh and other credible websites such as Science Direct, Pubmed, Google Scholar, etc., were carefully reviewed.
  • Results: Having conducted a thorough literature review, we found that Thymoquinone, Dythymoquinone, Thymodihydroquinone, and Thymole all possess some anti-cancerous properties, while Thymoquinonehas some anti-proliferative properties making it a unique treatment option for Myoblastic Leukemia. In addition, the antineoblastic characteristics of Thymoquinone makes it a unique treatment for breast cancer. Also, Thytoquinone can be regarded as a treatment for pancreatic cancer as it can activate apoptosis and hinder the proliferative properties. Additionally, the available Alpha-hydrin available in Nigella Sativa has some anti-cancerous properties against lung cancer. Finally, Thymoquinone can hinder angiogenesis and subsequently hinder the growth of cancers, such as prostate cancer. Overall, Nigella Sativa can have a tremendous effect on cancerous cells through the activation of apoptosis, an increase of Super Oxide Dismutase cells, and protection of Cytochrome enzymes P450.
  • Conclusion: The current study indicates the positive effects of Nigella Sativa on cancerous tumors and how it can regulate and hinder the uncontrolled growth of cells.
  • Keywords: Cancer, Tumor, Nigella Sativa