Thymoquinone (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, or TQ) is derived from the seeds of the black cumin plant Nigella sativa. It has been reported to have a number of beneficial properties including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic activities and, like many other natural products, derivatives and analogues of thymoquinone are being synthesised in an effort to increase its therapeutic potential.