Crocus sativusL. (Saffron) Stigma Aqueous Extract Induces Apoptosis in Alveolar Human Lung Cancer Cells through Caspase-Dependent Pathways Activation

Abstract

Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer. Saffron has been used in folk medicine for centuries. We investigated the potential of saffron to induce cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in lung cancer cells (A549). We also examined the caspase-dependent pathways activation of saffron-induced apoptosis against the A549 cells. A549 cells were incubated with different concentrations of saffron extract; then cell morphological changes, cell viability, and apoptosis were determined by the normal invertmicroscope, MTT assay, Annexin V and propidium iodide, and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Activated caspases were detected by treatment of saffron in lung cancer cells using fluorescein-labeled inhibitors of polycaspases. The proliferation of the A549 cells were decreased after treatment with saffron in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased with saffron concentrations. Saffron induced morphological changes, decreased percentage of viable cells, and induced apoptosis. Saffron could induce apoptosis in the A549 cells and activate caspase pathways. The levels of caspases involved in saffron-induced apoptosis in the A549 cells indicating caspase-dependent pathway were induced by saffron. The anticancer activity of the aqueous extract of saffron could be attributed partly to its inhibition of the cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathways activation.

Effect of Crocin and Voluntary Exercise on P53 Protein in Pancreas of Type2 Diabetic Rats

“…Protective effects of these interventions probably perform through the decreasing of glucose and HbA1c levels in blood of rats suffering from diabetes. Samarghandian et al (2013) showed that saffron induces apoptosis in alveolar human lung cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathways activation.…”

Saffron (Crocus sativus) and its Active Ingredients: Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease

“…The results of the study have revealed that proliferation of such cells was decreased after treatment of saffron in a dose-and time-dependent manner. 77 Moreover, saffron induced morphological changes, decreases percentage of some viable cells, and induce apoptosis. 77 Result of study revealed that crocin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G 0 /G 1 phase.…”

“…[ Based on result study concluded that both saffron extract as well as crocin can inhibit cell proliferation and arrest cell cycle progression [77] Prostate cancer Cytotoxic and apoptosis induction…”

Some natural sources of substances with antitumor effects

“…1 Šafran (Crocus sativus) dovodi do morfološke promene i apoptoze kulture ćelija humanog alvelarnog tumora (bazalnih epitelijalnih ćelija), aktivacijom kaspaza-zavisnog mehanizma. [3][4][5] Gugulsteron je glavni aktivni sastojak smole biljke Commiphora wightii (sin. C. mukul) za koji je utvrđeno da suprimira nastanak i rast tumora.…”

“…Posebno je proučavan mehanizam antitumorskog delovanja na kanceru pluća. [3][4][5] Tradicionalna upotreba nekih smola Commiphora vrsta (Commiphora wightii, sin. C. mukul) je bila najčešća u kombinacijama biljaka koje koristi Ajurvedska medicina.…”