Thymoquinone inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis and chemosensitizes human multiple myeloma cells through suppression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Constitutive activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is frequently encountered in several human cancers including multiple myeloma (MM). Thus, agents that suppress STAT3 phosphorylation have a potential for treatment of MM. In the present report, we investigated whether thymoquinone (TQ), the main component isolated from the medicinal plant Nigella sativa, modulated the STAT3 signalling pathway in MM cells.

Experimental approach

The effect of TQ on both constitutive and IL-6-induced STAT3 activation, associated protein kinases, STAT3-regulated gene products involved in proliferation, survival and angiogenesis, cellular proliferation and apoptosis in MM cells, was investigated.

Key results

We found tha

SUBMITTER: Li F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2990154 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature