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Black Seed Oil Cures
Many Cancers According to Numerous Studies
by John P. Thomas
Health Impact News
Health Impact News
Black cumin seed oil inhibits cancer cell
activity and can even kill some types of cancer cells. Scientific research has
shown that black seed oil (Nigella sativa) is an effective treatment for cancer
in animal studies, and can be as effective as anti-cancer drugs for some types
of cancer. Black cumin seed oil and its extract thymoquinone have powerful
benefits for various inflammatory diseases including liver cancer, melanoma
skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, bone cancer,
stomach cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and brain cancer. [1]
Despite several decades of very positive research
on using black seed oil against cancer, researchers have rarely advanced their
work into human clinical testing, even though the benefits are strong and the
risks of negative side effects are extremely small. [2]
As you will learn from the research findings
that I will discuss, the use of black seed oil for cancer prevention and
treatment has proven to be a powerful strategy for many forms of cancer. Yet
black cumin seed oil still has not been recognized as beneficial by mainstream
medicine. I will examine some of the political pressures that might be holding
back clinical research with human cancer patients, and will consider why drug
companies may wish to suppress the use of black seed oil.
Black
Seeds have been used to Treat Cancer for Thousands of Years
In two separate 2011 studies, Chinese
researchers [3] and Saudi Arabian researchers [4] reviewed the scientific
literature for the use of black seed oil (also called black cumin seed or
Nigella sativa), with cancer. They reconfirmed the anti-cancer property of this
safe and natural seed oil. They noted that black seed oil has been used as a
traditional medicine for centuries. The oil and the extracted component called
thymoquinone are both effective against many diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular
complications, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease, etc. It is a safe and
effective agent against cancer in the blood system, lungs, kidneys, liver,
prostate, breast, cervix, and skin.
These researchers noted that the molecular
mechanisms behind its anti-cancer role are still not clearly understood.
However, some studies showed that thymoquinone plays an antioxidant role and
improves the body’s defense system. Black seed oil induces apoptosis, which
means that it helps the body to systematically eliminate old cells, unneeded
cells, and unhealthy cells (such as cancer cells) without releasing toxins into
the body. It also controls the Akt pathway, which means it controls the process
that manages cell survival for both normal and cancer cells. Although the
anti-cancer activity of Nigella sativa was recognized thousands of years ago,
it was not until the past two or three decades that modern scientific research
has been undertaken to study this important traditional medicine.
Black
Seeds and Honey Work Together – Folk Medicine is Correct
Egyptian researchers studied the protective
effect of bee honey and Nigella grains on the oxidative stress and the cancer
that was created by exposing rats to a strong carcinogen. After the four groups
of rats were exposed to the carcinogen, some groups were fed black seeds or
honey, and one group was fed both black seeds and honey. The rats were
evaluated after 6 months. The rats that ate black seeds received an 80%
protection against oxidative stress and cancer formation. Whereas the
rats that ate a daily dose of both honey and black seeds were protected 100%
against oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and cancer formation. [5]
Black
Seed Oil is An Important Aid to Radiation Treatments
In a 2014 study, Turkish researchers reported
how black seed oil could potentially be helpful to people receiving radiation
treatment for cancer. They indicated that many cancer patients treated with
radiation therapy suffer severe side effects during and after their treatment.
This study investigated the effects of irradiation and the addition of black
seed oil on the oxidant/antioxidant system in the liver tissue of irradiated
rats. They exposed some of the rats to a single dose of gamma radiation. One
group of rats received one gram of black seed oil per kilogram of body weight
one hour before the radiation and received a daily dose afterward for 10 days.
Another group received the radiation treatment and was given a saline solution
instead of black seed oil. The control group was not irradiated. The analysis
of the data shows that black seed oil reduces oxidative stress markers and has
antioxidant effects, which also augments the antioxidant capacity in the liver
tissue of rats. Thus, the use of black seed oil before radiation treatment,
and for 10 days afterward, protected the rats from some of the harmful effects
of radiation. [6]
In a 2012 study in India, scientists
investigated the effect of using an extract of black seeds on mice exposed to
gamma radiation. A group of normal mice and a group of tumor bearing mice were
tested. This experiment was done to mimic the human clinical setting where
normal tissues of cancer patients are exposed to the harmful effects of
radiation therapy. The mice were given black seed extract before being exposed
to the gamma radiation. They were given 100 mg of black seed extract per 1 kg
of body weight. The results showed that the extract of black seed protected the
liver, spleen, brain and intestines from gamma radiation damage for both the
normal mice and the mice with tumors. Researchers concluded that the liquid
extract of black seeds has protective effects against radiation-induced damage
and biochemical alterations. They attributed this protective effect to the
ability of the extract to scavenge free radicals and to its antioxidant
properties. Thus, the liquid extracted from black seeds could be used
with human cancer patients who receive radiation to protect against oxidative
stress in normal tissues, and to mitigate other unwanted side effects of
radiation. This could improve the quality of life for cancer patients. [7]
Black
Seeds Interfere with Uncontrolled Cell Growth and Kill Liver Cancer Cells
In 2013, researchers in India investigated
the use of thymoquinone, which is a compound derived from black seeds. Two
groups of rats with liver cancer were studied. One group was given water to
drink that contained 0.01% thymoquinone, and the other group was given plain
water. After 16 weeks, the liver cancer nodules, liver injury markers and tumor
markers were measured in both groups. The rats that did not receive the
thymoquinone had substantial increases in liver tumor size. However, the rats
that received 20 mg of thymoquinone per kilogram for body weight had greatly
reduced liver injury markers and decreased tumor markers. The group treated
with thymoquinone from black seed oil did not develop liver cancer nodules, and
the amount of new tumor formation was much less than the untreated group of
rats. They concluded that thymoquinone had a beneficial role in the
treatment of liver cancer, because of its potent ability to prevent cancer
cells from proliferating. [8]
A 2012 study from Egypt evaluated anti-tumor
effects of bee honey and black seed oil on human liver cancer cells in
laboratory experiments. They examined the antioxidant capacity of honey and
black seed extract, and the ability of these substances to eliminate unhealthy
cells such as cancer. They found that both honey and black seed extract
were effective in reducing the viability of liver cancer cells. Honey and black
seed extract also improved the antioxidant status of cells and induced cancer
cell death by apoptosis. [9]
Black
Seed Oil Kills Lung Cancer Cells
Saudi Arabian researchers reported in 2014
that black seeds have been used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases.
The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of black seed
oil are well known. This study investigated the anti-cancer activity of black
seed oil and black seed extract when used against human lung cancer cells in
the laboratory. Scientists exposed lung cancer cells to black seed oil or to
black seed extract for 24 hours. They used 0.01 mg/ml to 1 mg/ml of the oil or
the extract in this experiment. After the exposure, the cancer cell viability was
assessed.
The results showed that both the black seed
oil and the black seed extract significantly reduce the population of living
cancer cells and altered the cellular morphology. They found that the greater
the concentration of the oil or the extract that was used to treat the cancer
cells, the greater the level of cell death. Also, both the black seed oil and
the black seed extract caused the cancer cells to lose their typical appearance
and to appear smaller in size. Researchers concluded that their data
revealed that black seed extract and black seed oil significantly reduce
viability of human lung cancer cells. [10]
Black
Seed Components Kill Malignant Brain Cancer Cells
Researchers from Ohio State University
published a study in 2013 indicating that glioblastoma is the most aggressive
and common type of malignant brain tumor in humans, with a median survival of
15 months. These researchers emphasized that there is a great need for
additional therapies for the treatment of glioblastoma. Naturally occurring
phytochemicals have received much scientific attention because many exhibit
potent tumor killing action. Thymoquinone is one of the bioactive compounds of
black seed oil. Thymoquinone has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and
anti-cancer actions. It has selective cytotoxic properties for human cells,
which means that it kills human cancer cells while not being harmful to normal
cells.
This specific study examined how thymoquinone
selectively inhibits the ability of glioblastoma cancer cells of the brain and
spinal cord from making clones of themselves. Thymoquinone, however, does not
inhibit normal cell activity in the human brain and spinal cord. Another
important ability of thymoquinone is the inhibition of autophagy genes in
cancer cells. Autophagy in cancer cells enables continued growth of tumor cells
by maintaining cellular energy production. If autophagy is inhibited, then
cellular energy production for cancer cells will also be inhibited. This will
result in a regression of tumor activity, and will extend the survival of
organs affected by tumors. Thus, thymoquinone’s ability to inhibit
cancer cells from making clones of themselves and its ability to inhibit cancer
cells from reusing cellular materials from other cells by means of autophagy,
provide an exciting and emerging strategy for cancer therapy. [11]
Black
Seeds Inhibit Breast Cancer
A 2013 study, conducted in Malaysia,
addressed the anti-cancer efficiency of thymoquinone when it was used for
long-term treatment of human breast cancer cell lines in the laboratory. Thymoquinone
showed a sustained ability to inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation with
long-term treatment. The length of inhibition was determined by the
size of the thymoquinone dose. Larger doses produced greater inhibition. [12]
Black
Seeds Kill Leukemia Cells
Malaysian researchers noted in a 2013 study
that there is a growing interest in the use of naturally occurring compounds
from traditional medicine which have anti-cancer potential. Nigella sativa
(black seed) is one of the most widely studied plants. This annual herb grows
in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and India. Thymoquinone is one
active ingredient isolated from Nigella sativa. The anti-cancer effect of
thymoquinone, via the induction of apoptosis resulting from mitochondrial
dysfunction, was assessed in an acute leukemia cell line. Researchers found
that treatment of leukemia cells with thymoquinone encouraged apoptosis
resulting in cell death. These results indicate that thymoquinone from
black seeds could be a promising agent for the treatment of leukemia. [13]
Black
Seed Oil Inhibits and Kills Colon Cancer Cells
Researchers from the University of
Mississippi Medical Center stated in their 2007 study that that the
chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil continues to be the chemotherapeutic
gold-standard for the treatment of colon cancer. However, they noted that the
side effects of 5-FU are numerous due to its ability to attack both healthy and
cancerous cells. They responded to previous research findings showing that
antioxidants have an ability to deter certain disease processes, especially
cancer. They studied epigallocatechin-3-gallate, the most abundant catechin
found in green tea, and thymoquinone which is considered to be the most
important anti-cancer component of black seeds. Black seeds are known for their
powerful scavenger abilities. They are an inhibitor of oxidative stress, and
have been utilized in the Middle East for centuries because of their capability
to heal many different diseases.
The objective of this study was to
investigate the role of sustained delivery of thymoquinone from black seeds,
catechin from green tea, and the chemotherapy drug 5-FU on the metabolic
activity and the structural changes in human colon cancer cells in laboratory
cultures. Results of this study showed that green tea catechin and
black seed thymoquinone produced significant cancer cell destruction and
interfered with cellular metabolic functions, which was comparable to cells
exposed to sustained drug delivery of the chemotherapy drug 5-FU. Morphologically,
cellular changes occurred after exposure to green tea catechin and
thymoquinone for 24 hours, which was comparable to the cellular changes
seen in cells exposed to the chemotherapy drug 5-FU. Ultimately, the researchers
concluded that the natural agents may offer a safe alternative treatment for
colon cancer. [14]
In an earlier study in 2004, Lebanese
researchers identified the powerful role of black seed oil as a cancer
preventative and cancer treatment agent. The researchers noted that black seed
and black seed oil have been used in Asia, the Middle East and Africa to
promote health and fight disease. “Thymoquinone, the most abundant constituent
present in black seed, is a promising dietary agent for preventing cancer. We
investigated the effects of thymoquinone against human colon cancer cells. We
report that thymoquinone inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells. Our
data support the potential for using thymoquinone for the treatment of colon
cancer.” [15]
Black
Seeds Useful for Helicobacter pylori Infection
In 2010, Saudi Arabian researchers indicated
that a large number of diseases are ascribed to Helicobacter pylori (H.
pylori), particularly chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and
gastric cancer. Successful treatment of H. pylori infection with antimicrobial
agents can lead to regression of H. pylori-associated disorders. H. pylori
resistance against antibiotics is increasing, and it is necessary to find new
effective agents. Nigella sativa seed (black seeds), a commonly used herb,
possesses anti-helicobacter activity.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate
the efficacy of black seeds for the eradication of H. pylori infection in 88
human non-ulcer dyspeptic patients. Patients were randomly assigned to four
groups. The groups received various combinations of clarithromycin and/or
amoxicillin (antibiotics), omeprazole (anti gastric reflex drug), and black
seed oil. Researchers found that black seeds possess clinically useful
anti-H. pylori activity, comparable to the combined use of all three drugs that
were tested. [16]
What is
the Future for Black Seed Oil?
Combining
Thymoquinone from Black Seeds with Conventional Cancer Treatments
In 2011, German researchers described the
drug doxorubicin as being a mainstay of cancer chemotherapy despite its
cardiotoxicity and its limited ability to treat multi-drug resistant cancers.
Recent studies revealed a protective effect of thymoquinone, a non-toxic
constituent of the essential oil of Nigella sativa, against doxorubicin-induced
cardiotoxicity. In summary, they found that thymoquinone is a booster
for the anti-cancer effect of the chemotherapy agent doxorubicin in certain
cancer cell lines. [17]
In 2013, researchers from Singapore reported
that there are a limited number of therapeutic agents for cancer, and cancer
cells are developing resistance to these agents. Thus, there is a need to
discover novel agents to treat breast cancer. The antitumor activities of
thymoquinone, a compound isolated from black seed oil, were used to treat mice
with breast cancer. Thymoquinone treatment was found to suppress tumor
growth, and this effect was further enhanced by combining it with the
chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. [18]
Clinical
Trials with Human Cancer Patients
Researchers from Wayne State University in
Michigan found that their review of published reports about black seeds
indicate that further in-depth studies are warranted. They specifically
point to the need to study its bioavailability and Phase-I toxicity profiling
in human subjects. The results from such studies will be instrumental in
advancing this field in support of initiating clinical trials for testing the
effects of this ancient agent in cancer therapy. [19]
A researcher from Oman describes where future
research for black seed oil should be directed. He states the obvious fact that
thymoquinone (the bioactive phytochemical constituent of black seed oil) has
been extensively studied. The use of thymoquinone in test tube research with
human cancer cells and in animal studies with induced forms of cancer has been
thoroughly investigated. As a result, a considerable amount of information has
been generated from research, thus providing a better understanding of the
anti-proliferating activity of this compound. Therefore, it is
appropriate that thymoquinone should move from testing on the bench to clinical
experiments. [20]
Conclusion
After reviewing over 120 scientific research
abstracts on the use of black seed oil and thymoquinone with various types of
cancers, I began to wonder why there have been so few clinical trials with
cancer patients. I couldn’t stop asking myself, “If black seed oil possesses
the significant anti-cancer properties that have been shown by all this
research, and it has been proven to not be toxic to healthy human cells, then
why are scientists still doing laboratory research? Why are human trials not
being undertaken yet?”
The history of black seed use is well known.
Traditional folk medicine has been safely using black seeds since the time of
the Egyptian Pharaohs. Black seed oil was found in the tomb of the Egyptian
Pharaoh Tutankhamen, which indicates that the oil probably had an important
role in ancient Egyptian practices. [21] Archeologists also found black seeds mixed
with honey and bee’s wax in a pilgrim flask from the Old Hittite Period level
of Boyalı Höyük (Mound), dating from around 1650 BC, in north-central Turkey.
[22] Black seeds and black seed oil have been used for dozens of diseases with
great success ever since that time throughout a large portion of the world.
Yet, when it comes to cancer treatment, this
remedy is still stuck in the laboratory as if it were a dangerous unproven
toxic substance. Let’s remember black seeds and black seed oil are food! They
are completely edible. They have been used for flavoring food and have been
used as daily tonics and remedies for thousands of years. We do not need more
test tube research or animal studies to prove that black seeds are safe and
effective in laboratory experiments. The research that we need involves the
development of protocols for using black seed oil in a clinical setting with
cancer patients. It is clear from the research that black seed oil and
thymoquinone are both effective against cancer and do not have harmful side
effects. It’s time for clinical trials.
Why is
Clinical Research on Black Seed Oil as a Treatment for Cancer so Rare?
I believe the answer to this question
involves the controlling power of pharmaceutical companies. As some of the
researchers noted in their abstracts, conventional chemotherapy drugs are
becoming less effective. Some of the studies I cited above investigated the use
of black seed oil and thymoquinone in combination with existing chemotherapy
drugs. When they did these types of experiments, they often found that the
combination worked better than chemotherapy drugs by themselves. In some
experiments, thymoquinone worked equally as well as chemotherapy drugs, which
might mean that toxic chemotherapy agents just might be able to be replaced by
a natural seed extract, which has no harmful effects. For people with cancer,
this could be great news, but to the pharmaceutical industry, this would be
extremely bad news for profitability.
There is a disturbing trend in the
pharmaceutical industry where these companies attempt to gain control over a
natural substance and prevent it from being available without a prescription.
Then they would add the natural substance to an existing drug, which has an
expiring patent, and create something that they call a “new drug,” which of
course they can then patent. This strategy is being pursued by drug companies
with the help of the FDA for the use of folate (vitamin B9). They are trying to
take the natural form of vitamin B9, which is essential to human life, and make
a SSRI/folate combination to create a new patentable drug. In doing so, health
minded consumers would only then have access to the less effective synthetic
form of B9, which is called folic acid. [23]
Along the same lines of reasoning,
pharmaceutical companies might be interested in reformulating their failing
chemotherapy drugs to include thymoquinone, which would improve the performance
of the drugs. As some of the preceding research shows, this type of research is
already underway. In some of these experiments, thymoquinone performs as well
as chemotherapy drugs and has no side effects, but drug companies cannot make
billions of dollars selling black seed oil or thymoquinone. It would not be in
the financial interest of drug companies to encourage human trials with a
natural substance such as black seed oil or thymoquinone, which is not
patentable.
Compassion
for People with Cancer
It deeply saddens me when I watch people have
the healthy parts of their bodies destroyed by chemotherapy and radiation
therapy when it is likely that a natural substance could reduce and maybe
eliminate damage to healthy tissue. The research that has been cited clearly
shows that black seed oil could prevent radiation damage to healthy tissue if
it is given before radiation therapy and is continued on a daily basis after
each treatment. The fact that there isn’t any published research pointing to
human clinical trials (despite the success with using black seed oil with
animals) is a true offense against people who receive radiation treatment.
Black seed oil offers a powerful protective
effect against radiation and chemotherapy, and is a potent anti-cancer agent,
but we can only make guesses about the daily dose that is needed to protect
human patients. There are some websites that have information about the use of
black seeds and black seed oil for the treatment of cancer. However, I do not
have a specific recommendation, because we do not have any research to confirm
whether these advertised protocols are effective for all forms of cancer. Based
on the research that I have read, the benefit from taking black seed oil is
best achieved when taking daily doses.
Black seed oil is not a drug. More is not
necessarily better. I have seen suggestions that people take 1 to 3 teaspoons
of black seed oil per day for various conditions. One teaspoon seems to be a
daily dose to support health. Two or three teaspoons per day are suggested for
specific diseases. Sometimes it is taken with honey and sometimes it can be
applied to the skin. I recommend researching your specific health concerns to
find treatments that will work for your situation.
.
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