Anticancer activity and antioxidant potential of Crocus Sativus .L( saffron ) aqueous extract against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma cells in Swiss albino mice.

Abstract

Cancer is considered one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many chemopreventive agents have been associated with antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on cancer cells because of their high antioxidant activity. The current study was aimed to evaluate the anti-tumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Saffron aqueous extract and its active components against Ehrlich Ascites tumor (EAC). A total of 120 female mice were randomly divided into eight groups. The antitumor effect was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, tumor cell count , survival time and increase in life span of EAC bearing mice. The effect of Crocus Sativus .L ( saffron ) aqueous extract , Crocin and Safranal on different parameters (liver enzymes , kidney function , cardiac markers and antioxidant parameters). These results indicated that Saffron , Crocin and Safranal is a promising protective agents against EAC cells. . Crocus Sativus L ( saffron ) aqueous extract (100mg/kg), Crocin(10 mg/kg) and Safranal(1/10 LD50) (0.188 ml/kg) showed significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) in the volume of the EAC and in the count of EAC cells and increase the life span of EAC bearing mice. Also, showed significantly increased in antioxidant levels, decreased the lipid peroxidation( oxidative stress) as compared to positive control group . We found that The treatment of Crocus Sativus . L ( saffron ) aqueous extract , Crocin and Safranal significantly reduced the liver enzymes, cardiac markers and reduced elevated levels of Urea, Uric acid and Creatinine in positive control as compared with negative control and also increase the level of albumin as compared with positive control group . our data was confirmed by histopathological examination.