Home Ingredients Thymocid® (Black Cumin Seed Extract — Verdure Sciences)

Thymocid® (Black Cumin Seed Extract — Verdure Sciences)

Nigella sativa
Evidence Level
Preliminary
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

Thymocid® is a black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed oil from Verdure Sciences. The supplier describes it as cold pressed and gravity filtered and standardized to fatty acids, and the one published study on it reported that it is made by cold pressing without extraction solvents and measured 5.12% thymoquinone in the batch it tested. That study was a laboratory experiment in cultured mouse melanoma cells and enzyme assays, aimed at cosmetic skin uses; it did not test inflammation, antioxidant activity or immune function, and no person or animal took part. No trial in people has tested Thymocid, so this page is not placed in any health category. Research on other black seed oils is covered on the black seed oil page and does not automatically apply to this ingredient.

Studied Dose No human dose established and no trial in people has tested this ingredient; the supplier suggests 500 to 1,000 mg per day.
Active Compound Standardized Nigella sativa (black cumin) seed ingredient from Verdure Sciences; described as a cold pressed oil standardized to fatty acids, or to thymoquinone (5.12 percent in the batch tested).

Benefits

Skin enzyme and pigment effects in cell studies

In test-tube and cultured mouse melanoma cell experiments, the extract reduced glycation end products, collagen cross-linking and collagenase and elastase activity, and lowered melanin content by about 43 to 62 percent. These are laboratory findings aimed at cosmetic skin products, not results in people who swallowed it.

Supported by Trial 1

Thymoquinone content of the tested batch

The published study measured 5.12% thymoquinone in the batch it tested and noted that thymoquinone alone was less active than the whole extract, suggesting other compounds also contributed. The supplier markets the oil as standardized to fatty acids rather than to a thymoquinone percentage.

Supported by Trial 1

Black cumin research in people (other products)

Trials of other black seed oils and seed powders have looked at blood pressure and blood sugar, among other measures. None of them tested Thymocid, so their results cannot be assumed for this ingredient, and no study of Thymocid has measured inflammation, immune function or antioxidant status in people.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Thymoquinone signaling (compound-level research)

A review of mostly cell and animal studies describes black seed and thymoquinone raising antioxidant enzyme activity and acting on the Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways that control oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. This comes from work on the plant and the isolated compound, not on Thymocid in people.

2

Melanin-related genes in mouse cells

In cultured mouse melanoma cells, Thymocid lowered tyrosinase activity and the expression of melanin-related genes and proteins, including MITF and TYRP1. This describes a skin pigment effect in cells and has not been tested in people.

Clinical trials

1
Black Cumin Extract and Skin Measures: Laboratory Study in Mouse Cells
PubMed

Laboratory study of Thymocid in murine B16F10 melanoma cells and in cell free enzyme assays, testing skin related measures for cosmetic use. Not a clinical trial. (Li et al. 2020, Nutrients)

No people and no animals took part. Cultured mouse melanoma cells and enzyme assays only.

In cell free assays at 50 to 300 micrograms per milliliter the extract reduced advanced glycation end product formation, collagen cross-linking, and collagenase and elastase activity. In the cells at 2.5 to 20 micrograms per milliliter it lowered melanin content by 42.5 to 61.6 percent, a skin lightening effect, and reduced tyrosinase activity. No inflammatory marker and no immune measure were tested, and the authors noted that thymoquinone alone may not account for the effects. Their stated conclusion was that Thymocid has potential as a cosmetic ingredient for skin care products. There is no human data for this extract.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No human safety study of this ingredient has been published.
In a 28-day trial of a different black seed extract (600 mg a day) in older adults, reported side effects included indigestion, nausea and constipation.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety is not established. In rats, a high oral dose of thymoquinone (80 mg/kg) early in pregnancy caused complete pregnancy loss, so avoid unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Stop taking it if any unusual reaction occurs.

Important Drug interactions

Blood pressure and diabetes medicines: other black seed products lowered blood pressure and blood sugar in pooled trials, so effects could add up; monitor and tell your doctor.
Warfarin and phenytoin: in lab tests, thymoquinone blocked breakdown of both drugs by the liver enzyme CYP2C9, and modeling suggested a possible interaction above about 1 g a day of black seed oil; ask your doctor before combining.
Tell your doctor if you are managing a chronic condition.

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Frequently asked questions about Thymocid® (Black Cumin Seed Extract — Verdure Sciences)

Has Thymocid been tested in people?

No. The only published study of Thymocid is a laboratory experiment in mouse cells and enzyme assays aimed at cosmetic skin uses. Trials of other black seed oils exist, but their results cannot be assumed for this product.

How much thymoquinone does Thymocid contain?

The published study measured 5.12% thymoquinone in the batch it tested. The supplier markets it as standardized to fatty acids and suggests 500 to 1,000 mg a day, a dose that has not been tested in people.

What is Thymocid?

Thymocid® is a black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed oil from Verdure Sciences. The supplier describes it as cold pressed and gravity filtered and standardized to fatty acids, and the one published study on it reported that it is made by cold pressing without extraction solvents and measured 5.

What is Thymocid used for?

NutraSmarts does not list Thymocid under a health category. What the research covers: In test-tube and cultured mouse melanoma cell experiments, the extract reduced glycation end products, collagen cross-linking and collagenase and elastase activity, and lowered melanin content by about 43 to 62 percent.

What is the recommended dosage of Thymocid?

No human dose established and no trial in people has tested this ingredient; the supplier suggests 500 to 1,000 mg per day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Thymocid safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for Thymocid include: No human safety study of this ingredient has been published. In a 28-day trial of a different black seed extract (600 mg a day) in older adults, reported side effects included indigestion, nausea and constipation. It may also interact with some medications. Thymocid is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Thymocid interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Blood pressure and diabetes medicines: other black seed products lowered blood pressure and blood sugar in pooled trials, so effects could add up; monitor and tell your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Thymocid?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Thymocid as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 9 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(9 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Li H, DaSilva NA, Liu W, Xu J, Dombi GW, Dain JA, Li D, Chamcheu JC, Seeram NP, Ma H. Thymocid(®), a Standardized Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) Seed Extract, Modulates Collagen Cross-Linking, Collagenase and Elastase Activities, and Melanogenesis in Murine B16F10 Melanoma Cells. Nutrients. 2020;12(7):2146. doi: 10.3390/nu12072146.PubMedUsed to support: A laboratory study in cultured mouse melanoma cells and enzyme assays, testing anti-aging and skin lightening measures intended for cosmetic products. The full text reports that Thymocid is cold pressed without extraction solvents, measured 5.12% thymoquinone in the tested batch, and found thymoquinone alone less active than the extract. It did not measure inflammation, antioxidant activity or immune function, and no person or animal was involved. Product donated by Verdure Sciences; authors declared no conflict.
  2. Verdure Sciences. Thymocid® product page (company website) Verdure Sciences. 2026;Website, accessed October 2026..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. The supplier describes Thymocid as an organic, extra virgin black cumin seed oil that is cold-pressed, gravity filtered and standardized to fatty acids, with a suggested 500 to 1,000 mg per day. Used only for the product description and dose.
  3. Sadeghi E, Imenshahidi M, Hosseinzadeh H. Molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of black cumin (Nigella sativa) and its active constituent, thymoquinone: a review. Mol Biol Rep. 2023;50(6):5439-5454. doi: 10.1007/s11033-023-08363-y.PubMedUsed to support: Narrative review of mostly cell and animal studies: black seed and thymoquinone raised antioxidant enzyme activity, scavenged free radicals, and acted on Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling (oxidative stress and inflammation) and on AMPK (cell energy metabolism). Mechanistic background, not human outcomes.
  4. Rizka A, Setiati S, Lydia A, Dewiasty E. Effect of Nigella sativa Seed Extract for Hypertension in Elderly: a Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. Acta Med Indones. 2017;49(4):307-313..PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind RCT in 76 older adults with high blood pressure in Jakarta: 300 mg Nigella sativa seed extract twice daily for 28 days did not lower systolic (p=0.36) or diastolic (p=0.35) blood pressure significantly more than placebo. Reported adverse events included dyspepsia in 6 participants (15.7%), nausea in 3 (7.8%) and constipation in 2 (5.2%); no electrolyte, liver or kidney problems or orthostatic hypotension were seen. A different black seed extract, not Thymocid; cited for the side-effect note.
  5. Abdollahzade Fard A, Saboory E, Tahmazi Y, Rasmi Y, Dindarian S, Parsamanesh N. Effect of orally-administrated thymoquinone during pregnancy on litter size, pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure, and body weight in rat offspring. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2021;24(1):30-37. doi: 10.22038/ijbms.2020.47479.10930.PubMedUsed to support: Rat study: oral thymoquinone at 80 mg/kg in the second gestational week caused complete pregnancy loss, and in the third week halved litter size; 40 and 80 mg/kg lowered birth weight. The authors concluded that a high dose can be severely toxic for pregnancy. Animal data.
  6. Kavyani Z, Musazadeh V, Safaei E, Mohammadi Asmaroud M, Khashakichafi F, Ahrabi SS, Dehghan P. Antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa supplementation: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2023;37(8):3224-3238. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7891.PubMedUsed to support: Pooled randomized trials found Nigella sativa lowered systolic blood pressure by about 3.06 mmHg and diastolic by about 2.69 mmHg, with very high heterogeneity between trials. Class evidence on other black seed products, not Thymocid.
  7. Daryabeygi-Khotbehsara R, Golzarand M, Ghaffari MP, Djafarian K. Nigella sativa improves glucose homeostasis and serum lipids in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2017;35:6-13. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.016.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 7 trials in type 2 diabetes: Nigella sativa lowered fasting blood sugar (about -17.8 mg/dL) and HbA1c (about -0.7%). Class evidence on other black seed products, not Thymocid; cited here for the blood sugar caution.
  8. Wang Z, Wang Z, Wang X, Lv X, Yin H, Jiang L, Xia Y, Li W, Li W, Liu Y. Potential food-drug interaction risk of thymoquinone with warfarin. Chem Biol Interact. 2022;365:110070. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110070.PubMedUsed to support: Lab study: thymoquinone competitively inhibited warfarin 7-hydroxylation by CYP2C9 (Ki about 3.50 microM); modeling predicted that more than 18 mg/day of thymoquinone, or more than 1 g/day of Nigella sativa or its oil, might affect warfarin. Lab and modeling data only. Cited for the interaction caution; Thymocid itself was not tested.
  9. Wang Z, Wang X, Wang Z, Lv X, Yin H, Li W, Li W, Jiang L, Liu Y. Potential herb-drug interaction risk of thymoquinone and phenytoin. Chem Biol Interact. 2022;353:109801. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.109801.PubMedUsed to support: Lab study: thymoquinone competitively inhibited CYP2C9 hydroxylation of phenytoin (Ki about 4.45 microM); modeling predicted a possible clinically significant interaction with more than 18 mg/day of thymoquinone or more than 1 g/day of Nigella sativa or its oil. Lab and modeling data only. Cited for the interaction caution; Thymocid itself was not tested.