THYMOQUINONE DERIVATIVES AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER AGENTS: A REVIEW

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a versatile bioactive moiety initially found in the seeds of Nigella sativa L., along with other medicinal plants such as Thymus vulgaris L., Satureja montana L., and Monarda fistulosa L. Due to its diverse pharmacological properties and potency to treat many diseases like cancer, convulsions, inflammation, etc., it has gained interest from chemists.TQ acts as an anticancer by modulating the key pathways in cellular mechanisms by inhibiting the proliferation of cells, inducing apoptosis, and disrupting the cell cycle.Its clinical applications are still limited due to poor bioavailability, fast metabolism, and low blood retention.To overcome these limitations, advancements in drug delivery systems and QSAR studies are being explored.To develop optimized TQ-based therapies, the understanding of molecular mechanisms is important.The present review provides a better understanding and knowledge of the phytochemical profile of Nigella sativa, the biological activities of thymoquinone, its therapeutic potential in cancer treatment, and highlights ongoing efforts in formulation strategies and drug design to translate its promising pharmacological effects into clinical applications.