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Crocin from Crocus sativus possesses significant anti-proliferation effects on human colorectal cancer cells - PubMed

Crocin from Crocus sativus possesses significant anti-proliferation effects on human colorectal cancer cells

H H Aung et al. Exp Oncol. 2007 Sep.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the anti-proliferative effects of Crocus sativus extract and its major constituent, crocin, on three colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT-116, SW-480, and HT-29). The cell growth inhibition effect was compared to that of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. In addition, Crocus sativus' effect on non-cancer cells was evaluated.

Methods: Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the purity of crocin and the content of crocin extract were determined. Anti-proliferative effects of Crocus sativus extract and crocin on test cells was evaluated by MTS assay.

Results: The purity of crocin was found to be 95.9% and the content of crocin in the extract was 22.9%. Significant concentration-related inhibition effects of the extract on all three colorectal cancer cell lines were observed (P<0.01). The proliferation was reduced most significantly in HCT-116 cells, to 45.5% at 1.0 mg/ml and to 6.8% at 3.0 mg/ml. Crocin at 1.0 mM, significantly reduced HCT-116, SW-480, and HT-29 cell proliferation to 2.8%, 52%, and 16.8%, respectively (P<0.01). Since 3.0 mg/ml Crocus sativus extract contained approximately 0.6 mM crocin, the observed effects suggest that crocin is a major responsible constituent in the extract. Significant anti-proliferative effects were also observed in non-small cell lung cancer cells. However, Crocus sativus extract did not significantly affect the growth of non-cancer young adult mouse colon cells.

Conclusion: Data from this study demonstrated that Crocus sativus extract and its major constituent, crocin, significantly inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. Crocus sativus extract should be investigated further as a viable option in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1

Chemical structure of crocin (MW: 977)

Fig. 2
Fig. 2

HPLC chromatograms of crocin (a) and Crocus sativus extract (b). HPLC condition is described in Material and Methods section. UV-Vis or ultraviolet-visible spectrum of crocin (200–700 nm) was shown in the right side of the figure. Number “1” indicates the peak of crocin

Fig. 3
Fig. 3

Effects of Crocus sativus extract and crocin on proliferation of three human colorectal cancer cells. Cancer cells were exposed to Crocus sativus extract or CSE (a) and crocin (b) for 48 h and cell proliferation was determined by MTS method. CSE and crocin have the most potent anti-proliferative activities on HCT-116 cells. Control at 48 h is normalized to 100%

Fig. 4
Fig. 4

Effects of Crocus sativus extract and crocin on proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Cancer cells were exposed to Crocus sativus extract or CSE (a) and crocin (b) for 48 h and cell proliferation was determined by MTS method. Control at 48 h is normalized to 100%

Fig. 5
Fig. 5

Effects of Crocus sativus extract on proliferation of non-cancer young adult mouse colon (YAMC) cells and colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells. The two different cells were exposed to Crocus sativus extract (CSE) for 48 h and cell proliferation was determined by MTS. Only HCT-116 cell growth was significantly inhibited at 1.0 mg/ml CSE *P < 0.01 vs. control. Control at 48 h is normalized to 100%.

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