Timokhinon, the active substance in black caraway seeds, significantly enhances the destruction of cancer cells when using chemo- and radiation therapy in combination.
This conclusion was reached by researchers from the University of Nedzhmettin Erbakan in the province of Konya in Turkey. The work was carried out with the support of the Council on Scientific and Technical Research of Turkey (Tubi̇tak) and took six years.
The study was attended by experts in the field of medical biochemistry, immunology, radiation oncology and genetics. It was found that Timokhinon activates apoptosis, programmed death of tumor cells.
The results of a study under the leadership of Professor Mehmet Gürbilek, the head of the Department of Biochemistry of the Medical Faculty, were published in a prestigious scientific journal of category Q1.
The death level of cancer cells was higher
In an interview with Anadol, Professor Gurblek noted that the focus of the study was aimed at lung cancer cells. “Our goal was to determine the effect of thymokhinon contained in black caraway oils on cancer treatment. We added Timokhinon to chemical and radiation therapy and recorded a significant increase in the effect, the number of dead cancer cells was significantly higher,” he said.
The next step is the transformation of Timokhinon into a dosage form
The results were obtained in laboratory conditions on cell cultures.
“We saw that Timokhinon is able to destroy cancer cells both independently and enhance the effect of traditional treatment. Our study proved that this substance can become a serious support for modern therapy. The next step is the transformation of Timokhinon into a dosage form for clinical use,” said the professor.
He noted that this is one of the largest studies ever conducted in Turkey in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants.
In conclusion, Professor Gurblek recalled that in the Islamic tradition the black caraway is called “a means of all diseases, except death”, and added that now this knowledge has received scientific confirmation.