Research Radartracking 4 published studies · 1 human · 2 clinical trials · 2 cancer pages · updated Jun 2026Open the Research Map →

Thymoquinone (from Nigella sativa / Black Seed Oil)

Black seed quinone: ROS ↕, NF-κB/PI3K ↓, apoptosis/angiogenesis mod; preclinical in ovarian/breast/colorectal/prostate.

← All agents

Human-reviewed · How we review →

AI extractedhuman reviewedsources checkedretractions suppressed

🔬⭐⭐ Preclinical — Robust mechanistic breadth with in vivo synergy; lacks randomized oncology trials.TQBlack seed oilNigella sativa seed

Forms: Black seed oil capsules (500 mg standardized TQ) · TQ isolate powder (50-100 mg)

Educational only, not medical advice. OncoForge makes no claim that Thymoquinone (from Nigella sativa / Black Seed Oil) treats, prevents, or cures any condition, beyond what the linked studies show. Evidence levels vary; effects may not translate to people, and some compounds can cause harm. Always coordinate with your oncology team.

Key Takeaway

Lead quinone from black seed with broad preclinical anticancer activity: pro-oxidant pressure in tumor cells, suppression of NF-κB/STAT3/PI3K-Akt, anti-angiogenesis, and apoptosis induction; shows chemo/radiosensitization in models but lacks robust oncology trials.

Evidence at a glance

Tier 1 · labOvarianBreastColorectalProstate

Preclinical ROS/NF-κB/apoptosis robust; xenograft synergy with chemo; no RCTs; safety from IBD use; ongoing nano-form trials.

How it may work

TQ raises intracellular ROS in cancer cells while supporting antioxidant defenses in normal tissue; it inhibits NF-κB/STAT3 and PI3K-Akt, downregulates MMP-2/9 and VEGF, and activates p53/caspases with mitochondrial depolarization. TQ modulates drug transporters/CYPs and can sensitize tumors to cisplatin, doxorubicin, 5-FU, and radiation in vivo, reducing resistance pathways.

Targets & pathways

Curated mechanistic targets reported for this agent — how it may act on cells, not proof of a clinical effect.

  • ROS Mod↕Tumor-biased redox perturbation
  • NF-κB↓Survival signaling suppression
  • PI3K/AKT↓Proliferation pathway inhibition
  • Apoptosis↑Caspase/p53 activation
  • Angiogenesis↓VEGF/MMP reduction
ROS ModNF-κBPI3K/AKTApoptosisAngiogenesis

Often studied / combined with

Combinations reported in the literature, not a protocol or a recommendation.

Overlapping mechanisms

Safety & interactions

Severity and how well-established each signal is are shown separately. Verify everything with your oncologist or pharmacist — absence here does not mean safe.

Risk categories
HepatotoxicityGi UpsetPregnancy Avoid
Potential interactions
  • CYP3A4 substratesMonitorModerateTheoreticalInhibition may ↑ levels (e.g., doxorubicin).
  • P-gp substratesMonitorLowTheoreticalModulation of efflux.
  • CisplatinSynergizeLowTheoreticalEfficacy enhancement in ovarian models.

Timing

References

Research

No published studies for Thymoquinone (from Nigella sativa / Black Seed Oil) yet

New studies appear here once they’ve been reviewed. Browse all studies.

Dose: as studied, not a recommendation

These are doses as studied or reported, never a recommendation. The right amount of Thymoquinone (from Nigella sativa / Black Seed Oil) depends on you, your other medicines, and your situation; decide it with your oncology team and pharmacist, not from a web page.

Ranges seen in adjunct / practice use: 100–500 mg/day (po) divided BID; with fatty meal, Dietary 100-200 mg/day from oil; preclinical 5-20 mg/kg; monitor LFTs; short-term cycles..

Trials studying Thymoquinone (from Nigella sativa / Black Seed Oil)

Loading current trials from ClinicalTrials.gov… Search ClinicalTrials.gov →

Inclusion here is not an endorsement. OncoForge makes no claim beyond what the linked studies show. Discuss anything on this page with your oncology team before acting on it.

← All agents · Research Radar