Thymoquinone was found to induce apoptosis by the deregulation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in multiple myeloma,13 human prostate cancer cell lines14 and squamous cell carcinoma.15 In addition, AKT phosphorylation was blocked by TQ in breast tumours6 and primary effusion lymphomas.7 The inhibition of AKT activation was associated with PTEN up‐regulation and ROS generation. Here, AKT1 is linked to squamous cell carcinoma.