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  • Essay / Black cumin seeds as an alternative to chemotherapy

    IntroductionBlood cancer is a life-threatening disease that includes: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma (American Society of Hematology). Leukemia is classified into myeloid and lymphoid leukemia. Each type has acute and chronic phases. Leukemia reduces the ability of white blood cells (WBC) to fight infections (American Society of Hematology). Additionally, leukemia limits the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells (RBCs) (American Society of Hematology). It is one of the most common cancers in the world and can be treated with chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. Problem Statement Although chemotherapy is an effective treatment for cancer, patients still suffer from side effects such as hair loss. Thus, more studies need to be conducted to find alternative medications that do not cause side effects. Traditional medicine is an option used to treat many diseases such as hepatitis B, bacterial and parasitic infections (Ahmad et al., 2013). For example, black seeds (black cumin) have shown effects on cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of the component thymoquinone (Ahmad et al., 2013, Khan et al., 2011). Thymoquinone (TQ) has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-cancer properties (Ahmad et al., 2013). Therefore, black seeds limit the replication of abnormal leukemia-containing leukocytes. In previous studies, black seed derivatives have been used against myeloid leukemia (Khan et al., 2011), but this study focuses on the effects of black seeds themselves. This study could take a year to achieve the desired results and it will help all human beings. The aim of this study is to examine the possibility of using black cumin as an alternative drug to chemotherapy to treat leukemias...... middle of paper ...... TQ (Ahmad et al., 2013). Nigella Sativa has a special chemical component called thymoquinone (TQ) that acts as an antioxidant (Ahmad et al., 2013). It is the knowledge of these traditional uses that constitutes the basic conceptual framework of this research study. From the conceptual framework, the hypotheses of this research are as follows:1- The use of black seeds will reduce the mortality rate from leukemia.2- There will be no need to administer intensive chemotherapy.Definitions of termsLeukemia: is a blood cancer that results from rapid replication of atypical white blood cells (WBC). Myeloma: is another type of blood cancer that attacks plasma cells and prevents the production of antibodies. Lymphoma: is a type of blood cancer that removes excess fluid from the body and results in the production of immune cells..