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Anticancer Effect and Molecular Targets of Saffron Carotenoids

S Zahra Bathaie1, Azam Bolhassani2, Fuyuhiko Tamanoi3

  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

The Enzymes
|April 23, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Saffron carotenoids, crocin and crocetin, demonstrate anticancer effects through various molecular mechanisms. These compounds show promise for cancer therapy and other diseases due to their safety and antioxidant properties.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Molecular Biology
  • Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

  • Saffron carotenoids, crocin and crocetin, possess known anticancer activities.
  • Their mechanisms involve radical scavenging and antioxidant defense activation.
  • Emerging evidence suggests additional molecular pathways are involved.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diverse molecular mechanisms of action for crocin and crocetin.
  • To investigate the distinct anticancer effects of crocin and crocetin despite structural similarities.
  • To highlight the role of ROS-dependent signaling pathways in crocetin's anticancer activity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on saffron carotenoids' molecular mechanisms.
  • Analysis of in vitro and in vivo cancer models.
  • Examination of cellular signaling pathways, including ROS-dependent pathways.

Main Results:

  • Crocin and crocetin exhibit anticancer activity via multiple molecular mechanisms.
  • Distinct pathways are implicated in the anticancer effects of crocin and crocetin.
  • Crocetin's anticancer effects are particularly linked to ROS-dependent signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Saffron compounds crocin and crocetin offer a safe and potentially inexpensive cancer therapy.
  • These compounds may also serve as therapeutic agents for diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Further research into their molecular mechanisms can optimize therapeutic applications.
Keywords:
AnticancerApoptosisCrocetinCrocinNatural productsPhytochemicalsSaffron carotenoidsSignal transduction

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