Definition

An oral supplement composed of the oil extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, also known as black seed or black cumin, with potential anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activities. Upon administration of black seed oil extract supplement, the main constituent thymoquinone may stimulate various cytoprotective antioxidant enzymes. Thymoquinone may also exert anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing the production of inflammation mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL) 1-beta and IL-6, and inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes, including cyclooxygenase (COX). In addition, thymoquinone may modulate the activity of various immune cells such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DCs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and may enhance anticancer immune responses.