Thymoquinone as a Multi-Target Modulator of Inflammatory and Immunometabolic Signaling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications.

Thymoquinone, the principal bioactive constituent of Nigella sativa, has been extensively investigated for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic effects. However, these activities are often examined separately, limiting understanding of their broader biological integration. This review examines thymoquinone through three interconnected immunometabolic axes: NF-κB-mediated inflammation, AMPK/mTOR-driven metabolic regulation, and ROS/Nrf2-dependent redox balance. Preclinical evidence indicates that thymoquinone modulates each of these pathways and may influence the crosstalk linking oxidative stress, metabolic reprogramming, and inflammation. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual framework positioning thymoquinone as a multi-target immunometabolic modulator. This framework is hypothesis-generating and requires further validation through integrated experimental and clinical studies.