Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ) is a bioactive compound isolated from Nigella sativa. Previous studies have reported that TQ induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanism of its apoptotic effects in neuroblastoma is not known. We have recently shown anti-angiogenic activity of TQ by the down-regulation of VEGF using zebrafish (Danio rerio) model and cytotoxic effect of TQ in mouse neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cells. In the present study, we investigated the apoptotic effects of TQ in Neuro-2a cells. Induction of apoptosis in Neuro-2a cells by TQ was confirmed by fragmentation of DNA. Furthermore, TQ induced apoptosis via modulation of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes and protein of the Bcl-2 family members in Neuro-2a cells. These results support the anticancer and apoptotic effects of TQ. Further studies are required to investigate the use of TQ as an anticancer drug for neuroblastoma.
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