Thymoquinone attenuates phosphorylation of AKT to inhibit kidney cancer cell proliferation

Abstract

Thymoquinone (Tq) is an active compound from Nigella sativa which is used in traditional medicine. The effect of Tq on kidney cancer and the pathway of action remain unproven. Herein, we report the anticancer properties of Tq on kidney cancer cells. Tq demonstrated anti‐proliferative effects in A498 cells with a GI50 value of 40.07 µM and Caki‐1 cells with a GI50 of 51.04 µM by the MTT assay. Tq exhibited nuclear fragmentation and inhibited trans‐endothelial migration of A498 and Caki‐1 cells in a dose‐responsive manner. Time‐dependent increase in Annexin V‐positive cells and sub‐G0/G1 cell population was observed post‐Tq treatment. The compound increased Bax protein levels and reduced Bcl‐2 protein levels dose dependently in cells, thereby favoring apoptosis. Tq decreased the phosphorylation of Akt in both kidney cell types. The results suggest effective anticancer activity of Tq on kidney cancer cells which may be mediated by the Akt pathway. Practical applications Results from the current investigation will through more light on the mechanistic pathway of Tq activity on the inhibition of kidney cancer cell proliferation. The output of this preclinical in vitro study may be translated into better chemotherapeutics of Tq and its analogs to treat kidney cancer. However, a detailed investigation on in vivo models is recommended.

Administration of Thymoquinone Offer a Protective Effect through the Apoptogenic and Antioxidant Pathway in Acute Liver Failure induced by Taxol

“…6 Additional, thymoquinone is a lipophilic molecule that is capable to prevent LP via Fenton reaction. 19 Gani et al indicated that extract of NS diminished hepatic enzymes and LP, which is in line with the outcomes of the existing study. 20 Accordingly, it appears that thymoquinone with its antioxidant properties could condense LP and increase TAC in the treatment groups via inhibiting the construction of ROS.…”

Thymoquinone attenuates IgE‐mediated allergic response via pi3k‐Akt‐NFκB pathway and upregulation of the Nrf2‐HO1 axis

“…Thymoquinone (Tq) is one such active ingredient of Black Caraway seed ( Nigella Sativa ), which is widely used in traditional medicine of the Middle East (Padhye, Banerjee, Ahmad, Mohammad, & Sarkar, 2008). Tq has been proven to be effective against various types of cancer, including kidney, ovarian, colon, and breast cancer (Dera & Prasanna, 2019). The compound exhibits antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties (Gali‐Muhtasib, Roessner, & Schneider‐stock, 2006), and has been shown to prevent myocardial and perivascular fibrosis induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats (Asgharzadeh et al, 2018).…”

Thymoquinone (Tq) protects necroptosis induced by autophagy/mitophagy‐dependent oxidative stress in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE)

“…Sativa, which is extensively used for centuries in traditional medicine of the Middle East (Padhye, Banerjee, Ahmad, Mohammad, & Sarkar, 2008). Evidence for the therapeutic potential of Tq has been shown in many cancer types, like kidney, ovarian, colon, and breast (Ayed & Prasanna, 2019). Tq was studied for its preventive effects in myocardial, perivascular fibrosis (Asgharzadeh et al, 2018), and systemic infections (Khan et al, 2018).…”