Thymoquinone (Monoterpenoid Benzoquinone · Anti-inflammatory · Anti-diabetic · Black Seed)
| Compound | Thymoquinone (TQ) |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Monoterpenoid Benzoquinone |
| CAS | 490-91-5 |
| Primary source | Nigella sativa (black seed / black cumin / Kalonji) fixed oil |
| Key applications | Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer research |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Black seed oil (thymoquinone 0.4–1.5%); thymoquinone isolate; black cumin extract |
| Buy from Herbuno | Black Cumin Seed Oil Extract Powder - Nigella sativa | Kalonji → |
Name origin: From Thymus (thyme) + quinone (the two-ketone benzene ring structure) — reflecting its early chemical characterisation in thyme alongside thymol, though Nigella sativa is its primary commercial source. Traditional use: Black seed (Nigella sativa, Kalonji in Hindi/Urdu, Habba Sawda in Arabic) has been used for over 2,000 years across Islamic, Ayurvedic, and Greek-Egyptian medical traditions. The Prophet Muhammad reportedly stated that black seed is “a remedy for every disease except death” — reflecting its extraordinarily broad traditional application scope for respiratory conditions, digestive complaints, immune support, and skin conditions. Thymoquinone is identified as the primary bioactive. Research trajectory: Thymoquinone has an exceptionally broad preclinical evidence base covering anti-inflammatory (NF-κB, COX-2), antioxidant (Nrf2 activation), anti-diabetic (AMPK, insulin sensitisation), immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative mechanisms. Multiple human RCTs have been conducted, primarily in Middle Eastern research centres, for asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Commercial source: Black Cumin Seed Oil Extract Powder, Liquid Extract, and Oil Soluble Extract from Herbuno. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Thymoquinone Applications
Asthma and respiratory: Multiple human RCTs with black seed oil (TQ-standardised) demonstrate significant improvements in asthma symptoms, FEV1, and bronchodilation. A systematic review (Gholamnezhad et al. 2016) confirmed black seed oil reduces asthma symptom severity with effect sizes comparable to inhaled corticosteroids in mild-moderate asthma. Thymoquinone inhibits leukotriene release and reduces bronchial hyperreactivity. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-diabetic: Human RCTs show black seed supplementation (1–3 g/day black seed powder or oil) significantly reduces fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and improves insulin sensitivity over 8–12 weeks. Thymoquinone activates AMPK, increases GLUT4 expression, and protects pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant: Thymoquinone inhibits NF-κB, COX-1/2, 5-LOX, and activates Nrf2/HO-1. The dual COX and LOX inhibition (combined cyclooxygenase + lipoxygenase blockade) is analogous to dual-mechanism pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories. Human studies with black seed oil show reduced CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α. Claim strength: Moderate.
Immunomodulatory: Thymoquinone stimulates NK cell activity, increases CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratios, and modulates Th1/Th2 balance. Relevant for immune support and allergy management formulations. Human data from asthma RCTs support immune modulation activity. Claim strength: Moderate.
Black Cumin Seed Oil Extract Powder - Nigella sativa | Kalonji →
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
Human RCT dose range: 1–3 g/day black seed oil (delivering 5–45 mg thymoquinone at 0.4–1.5% TQ content) or equivalent black seed powder. Most asthma and diabetes RCTs used 1–2 g/day black seed oil for 8–12 weeks. For isolated thymoquinone: 5–20 mg/day is extrapolated from black seed oil clinical dosing, though isolated TQ has not been specifically studied in human RCTs at these doses.
Thymoquinone content in black seed oil varies significantly by cultivar, origin, and extraction method: cold-pressed fixed oil from Egyptian or Ethiopian seeds typically delivers 0.4–0.7% TQ; solvent-extracted concentrates can reach 1–1.5% TQ. Specify minimum TQ content by HPLC on CoA. Thymoquinone is heat-sensitive — avoid high-temperature processing. It has low aqueous solubility (logP ~3.4); lipid-based formulations (softgels, SEDDS) improve bioavailability. Black Cumin products are available in three formats — the oil extract is the appropriate choice for TQ-focused formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions — Thymoquinone
Is black seed oil the same as thymoquinone?
Black seed oil (Nigella sativa fixed oil) contains thymoquinone (0.4–1.5%) as its primary bioactive monoterpenoid, alongside thymohydroquinone, thymol, carvacrol, and other minor bioactives. The full fixed oil also contains oleic acid (22%), linoleic acid (60%), and other fatty acids which contribute to its overall bioactivity. Isolated thymoquinone has greater potency per milligram for specific mechanisms; the full black seed oil provides a complementary fatty acid matrix and additional minor actives.
Why is black seed described as “a remedy for every disease” in Islamic medicine?
The Hadith statement reflects the extraordinary breadth of traditional applications for black seed across Islamic medicine — covering respiratory, digestive, immune, skin, reproductive, and metabolic conditions. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed an unusually broad multi-target mechanism profile for thymoquinone (NF-κB inhibition, Nrf2 activation, AMPK stimulation, dual COX/LOX inhibition) that underlies activity across diverse disease contexts. No single supplement ingredient has this breadth of RCT-backed clinical evidence, though the traditional scope exceeds what is currently proven in controlled human trials.
Can thymoquinone be combined with curcumin for anti-inflammatory formulations?
Yes — a rationally synergistic combination. Thymoquinone inhibits NF-κB, COX-1/2, and 5-LOX. Curcumin inhibits NF-κB via a different binding mechanism and additionally suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome. Combined, they address NF-κB via two distinct mechanisms plus lipoxygenase and inflammasome pathways simultaneously. Both have poor oral bioavailability when taken in standard powder form; co-formulation in a lipid-based delivery system (SEDDS, soft gel) improves both simultaneously. This is a commercially established combination in premium anti-inflammatory supplement products.
Is thymoquinone safe for long-term use?
Black seed oil at 1–3 g/day has a good safety profile in human RCTs up to 12 weeks. Long-term data beyond 3 months in controlled trials are limited. At high doses, thymoquinone’s pro-oxidant activity (the same mechanism behind anticancer activity) is theoretically relevant. Standard advisory language for pregnancy applies — black seed at culinary doses is considered safe, but high-dose supplements have traditional use as an emmenagogue. Standard caution for anticoagulant interactions (mild platelet effects) is appropriate.
Related compounds: Artabsin, Artemisinin, Carvacrol, Thymol
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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