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Crocus sativus L. (saffron) stigma aqueous extract induces apoptosis in alveolar human lung cancer cells through
Saeed Samarghandian1, Abasalt Borji, Seyed Kazem Farahmand
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur Faculty of Medicine, Neyshabur, Iran.
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.
Insights
Saffron extract demonstrates anticancer effects by inhibiting lung cancer cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis through caspase-dependent pathways. This research highlights saffron
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer worldwide.
- Saffron, utilized in traditional medicine, is being explored for its therapeutic potential.
- Understanding novel anti-cancer agents is crucial for developing new treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of saffron on human lung cancer cells (A549).
- To examine the activation of caspase-dependent pathways in saffron-induced apoptosis.
- To evaluate saffron's potential as an anti-cancer agent for lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- A549 lung cancer cells were treated with varying concentrations of saffron extract.
- Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay.
- Apoptosis and morphological changes were analyzed via Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry.
- Caspase activation was detected using fluorescein-labeled inhibitors of polycaspases.
Main Results:
- Saffron extract significantly reduced A549 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Increased concentrations of saffron led to a higher percentage of apoptotic cells.
- Saffron induced characteristic apoptotic morphological changes and decreased cell viability.
- Saffron treatment activated caspase pathways, indicating caspase-dependent apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Saffron extract exhibits significant anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on A549 lung cancer cells.
- The observed anticancer activity is mediated through the activation of caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways.
- Saffron holds potential as a therapeutic agent for lung cancer, warranting further investigation.
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