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Safranal Inhibits HeLa Cell Viability by Perturbing the Reassembly Potential of Microtubules
Author(s) -
Cheriyamundath Sanith,
Choudhary Sinjan,
Lopus Manu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.5938
Subject(s) - safranal , microtubule , tubulin , crocus sativus , viability assay , hela , mechanism of action , chemistry , acetylation , crocin , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , in vitro , biochemistry , botany , gene
Saffron, a spice from Crocus sativus , has been known for its health benefits and medicinal properties. Safranal is a component of saffron and is known for its antioxidant and anticancer properties. In this study, we elucidated a possible tubulin‐targeted antiproliferative mechanism of action of safranal. In vitro , the compound perturbed secondary structure of tubulin without altering net microtubule polymer mass. It inhibited HeLa cell viability in a concentration‐dependent manner, with minimal damage to cellular microtubules. However, it strongly inhibited recovery of microtubule network after cold‐induced disassembly, indicating its ability to interfere with the nucleation potential of tubulin. Further, as the acetylation pattern of the safranal‐treated microtubules revealed, unlike many tubulin‐targeted agents, the compound did not appear to induce persistent stabilization of microtubules. Our data shows an unusual, tubulin‐targeted antiproliferative mechanism of safranal. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.