Mitigation of obesity-promoted diseases by Nigella sativa and thymoquinone.

Obesity is closely associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction, and thus obesity-mitigation strategies should take into account these secondary pathologies in addition to promoting weight loss. Recent studies indicate that black cumin (Nigella sativa) has cardio-protective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory properties. While black cumin and/or its major bioactive constituent, thymoquinone have demonstrated bioactivity in a variety of disease models, the mechanisms of action are largely unknown.

New benzophenone O-glucoside from Hypericum ellipticum.

Examination of the acetone extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum ellipticum afforded a new acetylated benzophenone glucoside (3'-O-beta-D-3",4",6"-triacetylglucopyranosyl-2,4,5',6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone) together with catechin and epicatechin. The structure of the benzophenone glucoside was determined by 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The compound inhibited the proliferation of CNS tumor cell line (SF-268) and lipid peroxidation in in vitro assays.