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Saffron ( Crocus sativus ) in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers: Current findings and potential mechanisms of action
Author(s) -
Naeimi Maryam,
Shafiee Mojtaba,
Kermanshahi Farnoush,
Khorasanchi Zahra,
Khazaei Majid,
Ryzhikov Mikhail,
Avan Amir,
Gorji Narjes,
Hassanian Seyed M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cellular biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1097-4644
pISSN - 0730-2312
DOI - 10.1002/jcb.29126
Subject(s) - crocus sativus , crocin , safranal , crocetin , medicine , immune system , gastrointestinal tract , cancer , colorectal cancer , pharmacology , in vivo , pancreas , cancer research , immunology , biology , traditional medicine , microbiology and biotechnology
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are major causes of cancer‐related mortality worldwide and include malignancies of the GI tract such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and rectum. Promising and selective anticancer effects of pharmacologically active components of saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) have been shown in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies. Saffron and its active components including crocin, crocetin, and safranal exert their anticancer effects through different mechanisms, including induction of apoptosis, influence on the cell cycle, and regulation of host immune response and anti‐inflammatory activities. This review summarizes the recent literature on the chemopreventive properties of saffron in GI cancers to have a better understanding of the potential underlying mechanisms and hence the appropriate management of these malignancies.