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Tadros SA, Attia YM, Maurice NW, Fahim SA, Abdelwahed FM, Ibrahim S, Badary OA. Thymoquinone Suppresses Angiogenesis in DEN-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting miR-1-3p. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23. [PMID: 36555545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by its high vascularity and metastasis. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main bio-active constituent of Nigella sativa, has shown anticancer and hepatoprotective effects. TQ's anticancer effect is mediated through miRNA regulation. miR-1-3p plays a significant role in various cancers but its role in HCC invasiveness remains poorly understood. Bio-informatics analysis predicted that the 3'-UTR of TIMP3 is a target for miR-1-3p; Rats were equally divided into four groups: Group 1, the negative control; Group 2 received TQ; Group 3 received DEN; and Group 4 received DEN after pretreatment with TQ. The expression of TIMP3, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF in rats' liver was determined immunohistochemically. RT-qPCR was used to measure the miR-1-3p level in rats' liver, and TIMP3, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF in the HepG2 cells after being transfected with miR-1-3p mimic or inhibitor; In rats pretreated with TQ, a decreased expression of MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF, and increased expression levels of TIMP3 and miR-1-3p were detected. Treating the HepG2 cells with miR-1-3p mimic led to the upregulation of TIMP3 and downregulation of MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF, and showed a significant delay in wound healing; These results suggested that the anti-angiogenic effect of TQ in HCC may be mediated through the regulation of miR-1-3p.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Ashour H, Rashed L, Elkordy MA, Abdelwahed OM. Remote liver injury following acute renal ischaemia-reperfusion: involvement of circulating exosomal miR-687 and regulation by thymoquinone. Exp Physiol 2021; 106:2262-2275. [PMID: 34633737 DOI: 10.1113/ep089765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? What is the role of circulating exosomal miR-687 in remote hepatic injury following renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and does thymoquinone have a modulatory impact? What is the main finding and its importance? Exosomal miR-687 was expressed in renal IRI, entered the circulation and was deposited in the liver. Liver exosomal miR-687 was correlated with liver inflammation and apoptosis. Thymoquinone aborted the renal production of exosomal miR-687 and its further circulation to the liver. ABSTRACT The pathophysiology of remote hepatic injury following acute renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is of particular clinical interest. Secreted small non-coding microRNA (miRs) are thought to exist in exosome-encapsulated form. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main bioactive ingredient of Nigella sativa and has several renoprotective actions. We expected exosomal miR-687 to be relevant as it could act as a humoral mediator, with possible modulation by TQ. Thirty adult male Wister albino rats were assigned to three groups (n = 10); (1) sham-operated, (2) renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and (3) renal IRI pre-treated with TQ 10 mg/kg/day i.v. (TQ-IRI) for 10 days in addition to a dose administered at reperfusion onset. Following 24 h of reperfusion, the IRI group showed renal tissue hypoxia-inducible factor upregulation (P < 0.001). Electron microscopy images of exosomes and analysis of miR-687 revealed elevated levels, which appeared in the circulation. Large amounts of exosomal miR-687 were transmitted to the liver tissue. In the IRI group, liver transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) were markedly (P < 0.001) elevated. The hepatic tissue inflammatory markers (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, myeloperoxidase, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and nuclear factor-κB) were upregulated (P < 0.001) accompanied with elevated caspase-3. TQ suppressed (P < 0.001) the renal expression and release of exosomal miR-687 into the circulation and its further deposition in the liver tissue; consequently, TQ diminished (P < 0.001) liver tissue inflammation and cellular apoptosis. The results were confirmed by histological tissue assessment. In conclusion, exosomal miR-687 liberated from injured renal tissues into the circulation may be an important factor in inducing remote hepatic injury. Exosomal miR-687 inhibition by TQ protected both renal and hepatic tissues from injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend Ashour
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Laila Rashed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Miran Atif Elkordy
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Abstract
Cancer is a global disease involving transformation of normal cells into tumor types via numerous mechanisms, with mortality among all generations, in spite of the breakthroughs in chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or surgery for cancer treatment. Since one in six deaths is due to cancer, it is one of the overriding priorities of world health. Recently, bioactive natural compounds have been widely recognized due to their therapeutic effects for treatment of various chronic disorders, notably cancer. Thymoquinone (TQ), the most valuable constituent of black cumin seeds, has shown anti-cancer characteristics in a wide range of animal models. The revolutionary findings have revealed TQ's ability to regulate microRNA (miRNA) expression, offering a promising approach for cancer therapy. MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that modulate gene expression by means of variation in features of mRNA. MiRNAs manage several biological processes including gene expression and cellular signaling pathways. Accordingly, miRNAs can be considered as hallmarks for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. The purpose of this study was to review the various molecular mechanisms by which TQ exerts its potential as an anti-cancer agent through modulating miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Homayoonfal
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Atteia HH, Arafa MH, Mohammad NS, Amin DM, Sakr AT. Thymoquinone upregulates miR-125a-5p, attenuates STAT3 activation, and potentiates doxorubicin antitumor activity in murine solid Ehrlich carcinoma. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2021; 35:e22924. [PMID: 34605108 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In breast cancer, there has been evidence of atypical activation of signal transduction and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). Thymoquinone (TQ) exerts its anti-neoplastic effect through diverse mechanisms, including STAT3 inhibition. The tumor suppressor, microRNA-125a-5p was reported to be downregulated in various breast cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated the influence of TQ and/or doxorubicin on microRNA-125a-5p and its correlation with STAT3 activation as well as tumor growth in mice bearing solid Ehrlich tumors. We found that TQ markedly suppressed inducible and constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 in tumor tissue without affecting STAT5. Moreover, it attenuated tumor growth, downregulated STAT3 downstream target proteins, and increased the apoptotic activities of caspase-3 and -9. Interestingly, TQ-elicited synergism of doxorubicin anti-neoplastic activity was coupled with upregulation of tumoral microRNA-125a-5p. Taken together, the current findings raise the potential of TQ as a promising chemomodulatory adjuvant to augment mammary carcinoma sensitivity to doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hebatallah H Atteia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manar H Arafa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Nanies S Mohammad
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Dalia M Amin
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Amr T Sakr
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City (USC), Menoufia, Egypt
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Almajali B, Al-Jamal HAN, Taib WRW, Ismail I, Johan MF, Doolaanea AA, Ibrahim WN. Thymoquinone, as a Novel Therapeutic Candidate of Cancers. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:369. [PMID: 33923474 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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Butt MS, Imran M, Imran A, Arshad MS, Saeed F, Gondal TA, Shariati MA, Gilani SA, Tufail T, Ahmad I, Rind NA, Mahomoodally MF, Islam S, Mehmood Z. Therapeutic perspective of thymoquinone: A mechanistic treatise. Food Sci Nutr 2021; 9:1792-1809. [PMID: 33747489 PMCID: PMC7958532 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The higher utilization of fruits and vegetables is well known to cure human maladies due to the presence of bioactive components. Among these compounds, thymoquinone, a monoterpene and significant constituent in the essential oil of Nigella sativa L., has attained attention by the researchers due to their pharmacologies perspectives such as prevention from cancer, antidiabetic and antiobesity, prevention from oxidative stress and cardioprotective disorder. Thymoquinone has been found to work as anticancer agent against different human and animal cancer stages including propagation, migration, and invasion. Thymoquinone as phytochemical also downregulated the Rac1 expression, mediated the miR-34a upregulation, and increased the levels of miR-34a through p53, as well as also regulated the pro- and antiapoptotic genes and decreased the phosphorylation of NF-κB and IKKα/β. In addition, thymoquinone also lowered the metastasis and ERK1/2 and PI3K activities. The present review article has been piled by adapting narrative review method and highlights the diverse aspects of thymoquinone such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiaging through various pathways, and further utilization of this compound in diet has been proven effective against different types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masood Sadiq Butt
- Faculty of Food, Nutrition & Home SciencesNational Institute of Food Science and TechnologyUAFFaisalabadPakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Faculty of Allied Health SciencesUniversity Institute of Diet and Nutritional SciencesThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Ali Imran
- Department of Food ScienceInstitute of Home and Food SciencesGovernment College UniversityFaisalabadPakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajid Arshad
- Department of Food ScienceInstitute of Home and Food SciencesGovernment College UniversityFaisalabadPakistan
| | - Farhan Saeed
- Department of Food ScienceInstitute of Home and Food SciencesGovernment College UniversityFaisalabadPakistan
| | - Tanweer Aslam Gondal
- School of Exercise and NutritionFaculty of HealthDeakin UniversityBurwoodVic.Australia
| | | | - Syed Amir Gilani
- Faculty of Allied Health SciencesUniversity Institute of Diet and Nutritional SciencesThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Tabussam Tufail
- Faculty of Allied Health SciencesUniversity Institute of Diet and Nutritional SciencesThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Ishtiaque Ahmad
- Department of Dairy TechnologyUniversity of Veterinary and Animal SciencesLahorePakistan
| | - Nadir Ali Rind
- Department of molecular Biology and GeneticsShaheed Benazir Bhutto UniversityShaheed BenazirabadPakistan
| | - Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
- Department of Health SciencesFaculty of Medicine and Health SciencesUniversity of MauritiusRéduitMauritius
| | - Saiful Islam
- Institute of Nutrition and Food ScienceUniversity of DhakaDhakaBangladesh
| | - Zaffar Mehmood
- School of life SciencesForman Christian College (A Chartered University)LahorePakistan
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Ali MY, Akter Z, Mei Z, Zheng M, Tania M, Khan MA. Thymoquinone in autoimmune diseases: Therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 134:111157. [PMID: 33370631 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (AUDs) are a multifactorial disease, among which rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis are more prevalent. Several anti-inflammatory, biologics, and AUD-modifying drugs are found effective against them, but their repeated use are associated with various adverse effects. In this review article, we have focused on the regulation of inflammatory molecules, molecular signaling pathways, immune cells, and epigenetics by natural product thymoquinone on AUDs. Studies indicate that thymoquinone can regulate inflammatory molecules including interferons, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), oxidative stress, regulatory T cells, and various signaling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ), janus kinase/signal transduction and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) at the molecular level and epigenetic alteration. As these molecules and signaling pathways with defective immune function play an important role in AUD development, controlling these molecules and deregulated molecular mechanism is a significant feature of AUD therapeutics. Interestingly thymoquinone is reported to possess all these potential. This article reviewed the deregulated mechanism of AUDs, and the action of thymoquinone on inflammatory molecules, immune cells, signaling pathways, and epigenetic machinery. Thymoquinone can be regarded as a potential drug candidate for AUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Yousuf Ali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gono Bishwabidyalay, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zakia Akter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gono Bishwabidyalay, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zhiqiang Mei
- The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Meiling Zheng
- The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Mousumi Tania
- Research Division, Nature Study Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Division of Molecular Cancer Biology, Red Green Research Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Asaduzzaman Khan
- The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
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Khan MA, Tania M, Fu J. Epigenetic role of thymoquinone: impact on cellular mechanism and cancer therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:2315-22. [PMID: 31541714 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Thymoquinone is a natural product known for its anticancer activity. Preclinical studies indicated numerous mechanisms of action by which thymoquinone exerts its effects on cancer cells. Recent evidence has indicated that thymoquinone can modulate epigenetic machinery, like modifying histone acetylation and deacetylation, DNA methylation and demethylation, which are among the major epigenetic changes that can contribute to carcinogenesis. Moreover, thymoquinone can alter the genetic expression of various noncoding RNAs, such as miRNA and lncRNA, which are the key parts of cellular epigenetics. This review focuses on cellular epigenetic systems, epigenetic changes responsible for cancer and the counteraction of thymoquinone to target epigenetic challenges, which might be among the mechanisms of the thymoquinone effect in cancer cells.
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