Elucidating vascular protective effect and molecular mechanisms of thymoquinone in homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction: ex vivo and in vitro model / Siti Sarah M. Sofiullah

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. High levels of homocysteine (Hcy) cause damage to endothelial cells by promoting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cause endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling, leading to endothelial dysfunction. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the major active ingredient in Nigella sativa seeds volatile oil and is shown to have a cardioprotective effect.