Thymoquinone in Alzheimer’s disease: experimental evidence and neuroprotective mechanisms

Abstract

Thymoquinone (TQ), the main bioactive constituent of Nigella sativa, has gained great attention for its neuroprotective properties, especially for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with limited therapeutic options. This review provides several experimental evidence on the effects of TQ in AD models. The evidences indicate that TQ reduces the amyloid-β accumulation, reduces the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, and improves cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Additionally, TQ should be able to promote the neuronal survival and neurogenesis while reducing biological markers that indicate brain damage or neuron loss. Although these findings clearly highlight and show the promising therapeutic potential of the TQ molecule in the AD, it is important to note that further in-depth studies are still needed to fully understand its underlying molecular mechanisms and to determine its clinical relevance in patients.

Keywords

thymoquinone / Alzheimer’s disease / antioxidant

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