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Cytotoxic effect of saffron stigma aqueous extract on human transitional cell carcinoma and mouse fibroblast
Behzad Feizzadeh1, Jalil Tavakkol Afshari, Hassan Rakhshandeh
1Department of Urology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. behzadfeizzadeh@yahoo.com
Introduction:
Saffron has been suggested to have inhibitory effects on tumoral cells. We evaluated the cytotoxic effect of aqueous extract of saffron on human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and mouse non-neoplastic fibroblast cell lines.
Materials And Methods:
Human TCC 5637 cell line and mouse fibroblast cell line (L929) were cultivated and incubated with different concentrations of aqueous extract of saffron stigma (50 microg/mL to 4000 microg/mL). Cytotoxic effect of saffron was evaluated by morphologic observation and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay after 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours in each cell line.
Results:
After 24 hours, morphological observations showed growth inhibitory effects at saffron extract concentrations higher than 200 microg/mL for L929 cells and at concentrations of 50 microg/mL to 200 microg/mL for the TCC cells. These changes became more prominent after 48 hours. However, significant growth inhibitory effects of the extract were shown at concentrations of 400 microg/mL and 800 microg/mL. Higher concentrations of saffron correlated inversely with cell population of both cell lines. Significant reduction of the survived cells was seen at concentrations of 400 microg/mL and 2000 microg/mL for TCC and L929 cell lines, respectively. After 120 hours, decrease in the percentage of survived cells at higher concentrations of saffron extract was seen in both cell lines. At a concentration of 800 microg/mL, the survived L929 cells plummeted to less than 60% after 120 hours, while no TCC cells survived at this time. No L929 cells survived at 2000 microg/mL.
Conclusion:
Saffron aqueous extract has inhibitory effects on the growth of both TCC 5637 and normal L929 cell lines. This effect is dose dependent.
Insights
Saffron extract inhibits the growth of human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and normal mouse fibroblast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Higher concentrations of saffron demonstrated significant cytotoxic effects on both cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Saffron (Crocus sativus) is traditionally recognized for its potential anti-cancer properties.
- Previous research suggests saffron may possess inhibitory effects on tumoral cells.
- This study investigates the cytotoxic impact of saffron on specific cancer and normal cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of an aqueous saffron extract on human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cells.
- To assess the impact of saffron extract on normal mouse fibroblast (L929) cell viability.
- To determine the dose-dependent relationship between saffron extract concentration and cell growth inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Human TCC 5637 and mouse L929 fibroblast cell lines were cultured.
- Cells were exposed to varying concentrations of aqueous saffron extract (50–4000 µg/mL).
- Cytotoxicity was assessed via morphological observation and MTT assay at 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours.
Main Results:
- Saffron extract exhibited dose-dependent growth inhibition in both TCC and L929 cells.
- Significant cytotoxic effects were observed at concentrations of 400 µg/mL and 800 µg/mL.
- Complete inhibition of TCC cells occurred at 800 µg/mL, and L929 cells at 2000 µg/mL after 120 hours.
Conclusions:
- Aqueous saffron extract demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of TCC 5637 and L929 cell lines.
- The observed cytotoxic effect is directly proportional to the concentration of saffron extract.
- Saffron holds potential as a therapeutic agent against TCC, warranting further investigation.
