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Role of caspases and Bax protein in saffron-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells

Seyed Hadi Mousavi1, Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari, Azam Brook

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacological Research Centre of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. mousavih@mums.ac.ir

Food and Chemical Toxicology : an International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
|May 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Saffron extract induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in breast cancer cells by activating caspases and increasing Bax protein. This suggests saffron’s potential as a natural breast cancer therapeutic.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a spice with known anti-cancer properties.
  • The precise mechanisms of saffron's anti-cancer effects, particularly apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of caspases and Bax protein in saffron-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
  • To evaluate saffron extract as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • MCF-7 cells were treated with varying concentrations of saffron extract.
  • Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay.
  • Apoptosis was quantified via DNA fragmentation analysis (sub-G1 peak) using flow cytometry, caspase activity was studied using pan-caspase inhibitors, and Bax protein expression was analyzed by western blotting.

Main Results:

  • Saffron extract significantly reduced MCF-7 cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC50 = 400±18.5 μg/ml at 48h).
  • Saffron treatment induced significant DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis.
  • The caspase-dependent pathway was confirmed as saffron-induced apoptosis was inhibited by pan-caspase inhibitors.
  • Bax protein expression was upregulated in saffron-treated cells.

Conclusions:

  • Saffron extract exhibits pro-apoptotic effects on breast cancer cells (MCF-7 line).
  • The mechanism involves caspase activation and increased Bax protein expression.
  • Saffron demonstrates potential as a natural chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer treatment.

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