Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review
Abstract Objective Thymoquinone (TQ), the active constituent of Nigella sativa, has been shown to have anticancer effects in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This review aims to outline the properties of TQ, the known drivers in HNSCC formation, and summarize the anticancer effects of...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.1097 |
| _version_ | 1797738282590666752 |
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| author | Kera Kwan Albert Y. Han Laith Mukdad Frida Barragan Omar Selim Yazeed Alhiyari Maie St. John |
| author_facet | Kera Kwan Albert Y. Han Laith Mukdad Frida Barragan Omar Selim Yazeed Alhiyari Maie St. John |
| author_sort | Kera Kwan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Thymoquinone (TQ), the active constituent of Nigella sativa, has been shown to have anticancer effects in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This review aims to outline the properties of TQ, the known drivers in HNSCC formation, and summarize the anticancer effects of TQ in SCC. Data Sources Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar) were queried for the key words “thymoquinone squamous cell carcinoma.” Review Methods Publications that were not original research and publications that did not have full‐text available for review were excluded. Results Sixteen research articles met the inclusion criteria. Our review demonstrates that TQ‐induced cytotoxicity is associated with increased expression and activity of the tumor suppressor p53, proapoptotic proteins Bax and caspases, as well as decreased expression and activity of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl‐2 and Mdm2. Additionally, TQ modulates cell‐survival pathways such as the PI3k/Akt pathway. TQ synergizes with therapeutics including cisplatin and radiation. Early TQ administration may prevent carcinogenesis via upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, and TQ administration in the presence of cancer can result in disease mitigation via induction of oxidative stress. Conclusion TQ acts as an upregulator of proapoptotic pathways and downregulator of antiapoptotic pathways, modulates the oxidative stress balance in tumor development, and works synergistically alongside other chemotherapeutics to increase cytotoxicity. TQ has the potential to prevent carcinogenesis in patients who are at high‐risk for SCC and adjuvant treatment for SCC patients undergoing conventional treatments. Future studies should aim to identify specific populations in which TQ's effects would be the most beneficial. Level of Evidence Not available. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:41:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c977b588fad440bbac61356d991536a2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2378-8038 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:41:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology |
| spelling | doaj.art-c977b588fad440bbac61356d991536a22023-08-23T18:20:18ZengWileyLaryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology2378-80382023-08-018487688510.1002/lio2.1097Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping reviewKera Kwan0Albert Y. Han1Laith Mukdad2Frida Barragan3Omar Selim4Yazeed Alhiyari5Maie St. John6UCLA Department of Surgery University of California Los Angeles California Los Angeles USADepartment of Head and Neck Surgery University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USAUCLA Head and Neck Cancer Surgery University of California Los Angeles California Los Angeles USAUCLA Head and Neck Cancer Surgery University of California Los Angeles California Los Angeles USAUCLA Head and Neck Cancer Surgery University of California Los Angeles California Los Angeles USAUCLA Head and Neck Cancer Surgery University of California Los Angeles California Los Angeles USAUCLA Head and Neck Cancer Surgery University of California Los Angeles California Los Angeles USAAbstract Objective Thymoquinone (TQ), the active constituent of Nigella sativa, has been shown to have anticancer effects in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This review aims to outline the properties of TQ, the known drivers in HNSCC formation, and summarize the anticancer effects of TQ in SCC. Data Sources Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar) were queried for the key words “thymoquinone squamous cell carcinoma.” Review Methods Publications that were not original research and publications that did not have full‐text available for review were excluded. Results Sixteen research articles met the inclusion criteria. Our review demonstrates that TQ‐induced cytotoxicity is associated with increased expression and activity of the tumor suppressor p53, proapoptotic proteins Bax and caspases, as well as decreased expression and activity of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl‐2 and Mdm2. Additionally, TQ modulates cell‐survival pathways such as the PI3k/Akt pathway. TQ synergizes with therapeutics including cisplatin and radiation. Early TQ administration may prevent carcinogenesis via upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, and TQ administration in the presence of cancer can result in disease mitigation via induction of oxidative stress. Conclusion TQ acts as an upregulator of proapoptotic pathways and downregulator of antiapoptotic pathways, modulates the oxidative stress balance in tumor development, and works synergistically alongside other chemotherapeutics to increase cytotoxicity. TQ has the potential to prevent carcinogenesis in patients who are at high‐risk for SCC and adjuvant treatment for SCC patients undergoing conventional treatments. Future studies should aim to identify specific populations in which TQ's effects would be the most beneficial. Level of Evidence Not available.https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.1097cutaneous < head and neckmolecular biologyscoping reviewskin cancer < head and neck |
| spellingShingle | Kera Kwan Albert Y. Han Laith Mukdad Frida Barragan Omar Selim Yazeed Alhiyari Maie St. John Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology cutaneous < head and neck molecular biology scoping review skin cancer < head and neck |
| title | Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review |
| title_full | Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review |
| title_short | Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review |
| title_sort | anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma a scoping review |
| topic | cutaneous < head and neck molecular biology scoping review skin cancer < head and neck |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.1097 |
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