Thymoquinone

Thymoquinone is a natural phytochemical that displays anti-inflammatory properties, blocking the synthesis of leukotrienes. It inhibits the growth of leukemia cells (IC₅₀= 1.5 μg/ml), inducing apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 while up-regulating Bax expression. In addition to blocking cell proliferation and triggering apoptosis, thymoquinone (15 μM) suppresses STAT3-regulated gene expression and prevents angiogenesis.