Thymoquinone as a Natural Anti-Angiogenic Agent: Experimental Pharmacology insights into Schematic and Meta-Analysis of Ocular Neovascularization and Retinal Pathology

Soobia  Pathan; Anaam  Rehman; Syed Azhar Hussain  Zaidi; Muhammad Imran  Ali

doi:10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/057

Authors

Soobia Pathan Liaquat Institute of Medical and Health Sciences LUMHS, Thatta (Sindh), Pakistan.
Anaam Rehman Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Rawal College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Syed Azhar Hussain Zaidi Bolan university of medical and Health sciences Quetta Pakistan.
Muhammad Imran Ali king khalid Hospital, Al-Majmaah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/057

Keywords:

Thymoquinone, Retinal Neovascularization, Corneal Neovascularization, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors, Diabetic Retinopathy, Oxidative Stress, Angiogenesis, Anti‑Angiogenic Agents, Meta‑Analysis.

Abstract

Background: Thymoquinone is seen to combat angiogenesis, reduce inflammation, and act as an antioxidant. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the role of thymoquinone in angiogenesis, damage involving reactive oxygen species, and preservation of the retina in different preclinical models.

Methods: This study followed the PRISMA approach, and PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify studies published by 2025. This study included in vivo and in vitro studies examining how thymoquinone influences the growth of new blood vessels in different cell lines and animal models. Excluded studies were reviews, case studies, reports, and studies in a non-English language. For quality assessment, the OHAT risk of bias assessment tool was used, and effect sizes were measured to determine the therapeutic role of thymoquinone on eye diseases. GRADE framework was employed to assess the certainty of evidence.

Results: Ten preclinical articles were reviewed to assess the impacts of thymoquinone on ocular angiogenesis. Meta-analysis demonstrated an in vivo and in vitro pooled effective concentration of 32.31 and 7.37 μM, respectively. Effect sizes were in constant support of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of thymoquinone. Bias across studies was low, and on GRADE assessment, it had moderate certainty, having therapeutic potential in neovascular retinal disorders. Discussion: Overall, thymoquinone appears useful in reducing the formation of new blood vessels and reducing oxidative damage in diseases affecting the eyes. Because it seems promising in the role of a treatment supplement, more research through clinical studies should be carried out.

Author Biographies

Soobia Pathan, Liaquat Institute of Medical and Health Sciences LUMHS, Thatta (Sindh), Pakistan.

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
Anaam Rehman, Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Rawal College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Department of ophthalmology,
Syed Azhar Hussain Zaidi, Bolan university of medical and Health sciences Quetta Pakistan.

Department of Pharmacology,
Muhammad Imran Ali, king khalid Hospital, Al-Majmaah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Department of Ophthalmology,

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