Thymoquinone (TQ), an active component derived from the medial plant Nigella sativa, has been used for medical purposes for more than 2 000 years. Recent studies have reported that TQ blocked angiogenesis in animal model and reduced migration, adhesion, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. We have recently shown that TQ could exhibit a potent cytotoxic effect and induce apoptosis in mouse neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cells. In the present study, TQ treatment markedly decreased the adhesion and migration of Neuro-2a cells. TQ down-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression and mRNA levels and their activities. Furthermore, TQ significantly down-regulated the protein expression of transcription factor NF-κB (p65) but not significantly altered the expression of N-Myc. Taken together, our data indicated that TQ's inhibitory effect on the migration of Neuro-2a cells was mediated through the suppression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, suggesting that TQ treatment can be a promising therapeutic strategy for human malignant neuroblastoma.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzoquinones ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Neuroblastoma ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Nigella sativa ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology