Table 3.

Comparative studies of immunomodulatory activities of N. sativa Linn and Thymoquinone.

Activity	N. sativa	Thymoquinone	Reference
Cellular immunity	Improvement of the proliferative capability of T lymphocytes and splenocytes	Improvement of number of circulating and thymus-homing CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes	(Badr et al., 2011; Majdalawieh et al., 2010; Swamy and Tan, 2000)
	Increase IL-3 secretion from PBMCs	Increase IL-2 serum level	(Badr et al., 2011; Haq et al., 1995)
	Elevation and suppression of IL-8 secretion from PWM-activated and un-stimulated lymphocytes	Inhibition of cytokine secretion, (IL-10, IL-12, TNFα) and DC maturation survival	(Haq et al., 1999; Xuan et al., 2010)
	Enhanced CD4 + T cell count acts as therapeutic role against HIV infection	Suppression of IL-13 and IL-5 release by mast cells	(El Gazzar, 2007; Onifade et al., 2013)
	Stimulation of CD4 + T lymphocytes	Increase total leukocyte count, chemokine expression, phagocytic action, chemotaxis	(Onifade et al., 2013; Salem and Hossain, 2000)
	Increase peripheral lymphocyte and monocyte counts	Inhibition of DC survival, maturation, and cytokine secretion (IL-10, IL-12, TNFα)	(Fararh et al., 2004; Islam et al., 2004; Xuan et al., 2010)
Humoral immunity	Decrease serum IgA, IgM levels.	Increase total immunoglobulin particularly IgGs levels as well as antibody Hemagglutination	(Ebaid et al., 2011; Mohany et al., 2012; Sapmaz et al., 2016)