Anti-cancer properties of Nigella sativa

The use of naturally-occurring agents to regulate Tumorigenesis is on the rise. Several herbal extracts,pure plant-derived active constituents, and food additives have been reported to possess potent anticancerproperties and cancer-ameliorating effects. The wide-range anti-cancer effects of Nigella sativa,also known as black seed or black cumin, have been extensively studied using different in vitro and invivo models. Here, we provide a comprehensive, analytical review of the reported anti-cancerproperties of N. sativa seed extracts. This review focuses on analyzing experimental findings related tothe ability of N. sativa to exert anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, cytotoxic, antimutagenic,anti-metastatic, and NK cytotoxic activity enhancing effects against various primary cancercells and cancer cell lines. Moreover, we underline the molecular mechanisms of action and the signaltransduction pathways implicated in the suppression of tumorigenesis by N. sativa. The major signalingpathway utilized by N. sativa to manifest its anti-cancer activity is the iNOS signaling pathway. Thisreview underscores the recent developments that highlight an effective therapeutic potential of N.sativa to suppress tumor development, reduce tumor incidence, and ameliorate carcinogenesis. Insum, experimental findings reported in the last two decades strongly suggest that N. sativa fractionscould serve, alone or in combination with known chemotherapeutic drugs, as effective agents tocontrol tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis, and hence, treatment of a wide range of cancers.

Keywords:

Nigella sativa , cancer , callus , second metabolism