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The modifying effects of the aqueous extract of saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus Linn.) on cisplatin (CIS), cyclophosphamide (CPH), mitomycin-C (MMC) and urethane (URE) induced alterations in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were investigated in Swiss albino mice. Three doses of saffron (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight) were orally administered to mice for 5 consecutive days prior to administration of genotoxins. A significant reduction in the extent of lipid peroxidation with a concomitant increase in the liver enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GST, GPx) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione) were observed in saffron pretreated animals compared with the genotoxins alone treated animals. However, the modulatory effects were not always dose dependent. Our data suggest that saffron may exert its chemopreventive effects by modulation of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and detoxification systems.

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The genotoxic potential of anti-tumor drugs limits their efficacy in the treatment of cancers. Since ancient times, saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L.) has been used as a spice and medicinal herb. Saffron is a rich source of carotenoids and is known for its anti-cancer and antitumor properties. The present study was designed to ascertain the chemoprotective potential of saffron against the genotoxicity of three well-known anti-tumor drugs-cisplatin (CIS), cyclophosphamide (CPH) and mitomycin C (MMC)-using comet assay. Three doses of saffron (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administered to mice for five consecutive days prior to the administration of anti-tumor drugs under investigation. Pre-treatment with saffron significantly inhibited anti-tumor drugs induced cellular DNA damage (strand breaks) as revealed by decreased comet tail length, tail moment and percent DNA in the tail. These findings, together with our previous results, suggest a potential role for saffron as an anti-genotoxic, anti-oxidant and chemopreventive agent and could be used as an adjuvant in chemotherapeutic applications.

A facile, eco-friendly synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) employing Bauhinia tomentosa leaf extract as bioreducing agent was reported. The green-synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis, TEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR analyses. The formation of ZnO NPs was confirmed by the appearance of characteristic SPR peak at 370 nm due to the collective oscillation of electrons in the conduction band in UV-Vis spectra. The hexagonal morphology exhibiting nanosized ZnO was observed from the TEM and XRD analyses. The chemical bonds present in the as-synthesized ZnO NPs were identified by FTIR analysis. ZnO NPs showed a significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa and E. coli than Gram-positive bacteria. Results of this study demonstrated that B. tomentosa leaf extract containing phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and sterols possess bioreducing property for ZnO synthesis and the obtained ZnO NPs could be employed effectively as a better bactericidal agent for biological applications.