Cancer saffron

AbduUaev FI. Cancer chemopreventive and tnmoricidal properties of saffron (Crocus sativus L). Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2002 227(l) 20-5. 

Also mentioned in the aforecited book are colchicine and colchidnamide, derived from the common autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), also called meadow saffron. (Colchicine, incidentally, is used in plant gaieties to artificially produce mutations.) The notable use cited is against breast cancer, but gout and arthritis also yield to treatment. It is emphasized that both these alkaloids are potent, and their use requires expert medical supervision. Another plant mentioned is cro-talaria (Crotalaria spectabilis), from which a toxic alkaloid called monocrotaline may be obtained. This substance also has antitumor properties, but acts against the liver. 

Corms and seeds are a sonrce for the alkaloid colchicine, which inhibits cell division, that is, cancer. The side effects are severe, negating its use against cancer, althongh it is sometimes nsed against gout. Also called naked lady, autumn saffron. 

In vitro cytotoxic analysis of the main saffron compounds (crocins, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal) using HeLa (human cervical epitheliod cancer) cells was carried out by Escribano et al [64]. It was found that in terms of LD50 values (dose inducing 50% cell growth inhibition on these cells) safranal has 0.8mM, crocin and picrocrocin 3mM respectively. Furthermore, Escribano et al [65] have also isolated from corms of Crocus sativus a glycoconjugate with cytotoxic activity as well. Experiments with carotenoids from Crocus sativus in HL60 cells were conducted by Tarantilis et al [66] where inhibition and induction of differentiation of these cells was studied. 

Salomi, M.J., Nair, S.C., and Panikkar, K.R., Inhibitory effects of Nigella. sativa and saffron (Crocus sativus) on chemical carcinogenesis in mice, Nutr. Cancer, 16, 67, 1991. 

Abdullaev, F.I., Cancer chemopreventive and tumoricidal properties of saffron Crocus sativus L.), Exp. Biol Med.(Maywood), 227, 20, 2002. 

Escribano, J. et al, Crocin, safranal and picrocrocin from saffron Crocus sativus L.) inhibit the growth of human cancer cells in vitro. Cancer Lett., 100, 23, 1996. 

Garcia-Ohno, D.C. et al. Effects of long-term treatment of colon adenocarcinoma with crocin, a carotenoid from saffron Crocus sativus L.) an experimental study in the rat, Nutr. Cancer, 35,120,1999. 

Nair, S.C., B. Panikkar, and BCR. Panikkar. 1991. Antitumour activity of saffron. Cancer Lett. 57(2) 109-114. 

Spices have been also considered to be nutraceuticals. Curry powder, a commercial spice blend from India used nowadays worldwide, includes mr-meric, obtained from Curcuma longa. Beneficial effects of turmeric, known in Europe as Indian saffron since medieval times, have been associated to one of its components, curcumin with antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cancer preventive activities [33-35]. 

Results obtained in the National Cancer Institute of the USA from the study of the cytostatic activity of the (133) and bis(chloroethyl)amino derivatives on 60 tumor lines were reported [138]. Originally colchicine a soluble alkaloid was extracted from Colchicum autumnale also known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron or itkuchala in Uzbekistan which means dog poison [138]. 

Dyes are regulated in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Over the years FDA has removed a number of dyes formerly approved for use in food and cosmetics because of concerns about toxicity, cancer-causing potential, or because they are skin irritants. Naturally occurring pigments, too numerous to count (saffron, turmeric, fruit colors, for example), are exempt from the approval process. 

A number of studies suggest that saffron extracts have in vitro anticancer activity, limiting the growth of experimentally induced cancers by inhibiting cellular nucleic acid synthesis and by other DNA-mediated mechanisms. The anticancer and cancer che-mopreventive activities of saffron have been reviewed. ... 

Saffron has been widely used in cancers, which has been experimentally confirmed... 

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