Open AccessStudy of Synergistic and Protective Effects of Three Different Polar Saffron Extracts and Photon Radiation on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells (HT-29) and Normal Human Fibroblasts
Author(s) -
Mahnaz Nourbakhsh,
Amin Hosseinzade,
Jamshidkhan Chamani,
Ameneh Sazgarnia,
Roham Salek
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of cancer management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2538-4422
pISSN - 2538-497X
DOI - 10.5812/ijcm.106845
Subject(s) - crocus sativus , crocin , cytotoxicity , colorectal cancer , cancer cell , mtt assay , viability assay , cell culture , chemistry , traditional medicine , cytotoxic t cell , apoptosis , cancer , pharmacology , biology , biochemistry , in vitro , medicine , genetics
Background: There are some hypotheses about radiation-sensitizing and radiation-protective effects of antioxidants. Saffron, dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L., is a precious medicinal plant that contains an impressive variety of plant compounds such as crocin, crocetin, and safranal that act as antioxidants. The present study examined the cytotoxic effects of saffron extracts with different polarity and their synergism or protective effects with radiation on a colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29) and normal human fibroblasts. Objectives: The aim was to find a natural agent to improve radiotherapy efficacy. Methods: HT-29 colorectal cancer cells and normal human fibroblasts were cultured in RPMI1640 medium, incubated with different concentrations of different saffron extracts (50-250 µg/ml), and then were exposed to a dose of 8 Gy of X-rays. The cytotoxicity effect was determined by the MTT assay. Results: Saffron extracts decreased cell viability in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells and normal human fibroblasts as a concentration-dependent manner. Combination radiotherapy with polar saffron extract in most doses showed synergistic effects on HT-29 cell death while it did not show any distinctive synergistic effect in normal cells. Semi-polar and non-Polar extracts just in low doses had synergistic effects on tumor cells. These two extracts did not show any protective effects on normal cells. Conclusions: Among the various saffron extracts, polar saffron extract and low doses of non-polar saffron extract in combination with radiation increase radiation sensitivity and cell death in tumor cells, while they do not increase radiation sensitivity in normal cells and even protect normal cells to some extent.