The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster was carried out to investigate whether or not coffee can modulate the genotoxicity of the well-established mutagenic/carcinogenic chemicals cyclophosphamide (CPH), diethylnitrosamine (DEN), mitomycin C (MMC), procarbazine (PRO) and urethane (URE). For this purpose, 3-day-old larvae, trans-heterozygous for the wing hair markers mwh (multiple wing hairs) and flr3 (flare3), were raised on instant medium containing either the genotoxin alone or in combination with instant coffee. From the results obtained, it was evident that the chronic co-administration of coffee was effective in significantly reducing the frequencies of single and twin spots induced by CPH, DEN, MMC and URE but not PRO. The maximum reduction was observed in the frequencies of twin spots (produced by mitotic recombination) after feeding larvae on medium containing coffee in combination with the compounds CPH or URE.

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.

No abstract

No abstract

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.