LifeExtension: Saffron prevents liver cancer in animal model

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Saffron prevents liver cancer in animal model

In the September, 2011 issue of the journal Hepatology, researchers from United Arab Emirates University report a protective effect for saffron, a spice that imparts a yellow color to food, against cancer of the liver in rats.

For their experiment, Amr Amin and colleagues divided 48 rats into six groups. Liver tumors were induced in four of the groups by the administration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a potent carcinogen. While one group of animals given DEN received no additional treatment, the three other groups received varying doses of saffron beginning two weeks prior to injection with the carcinogen and continuing for an additional 20 weeks. Control rats that were not treated with DEN were given distilled water or 300 mg/kg saffron throughout the course of the study.

Among rats that received the carcinogen, fewer of the saffron-treated animals had liver masses at the end of the treatment period in comparison with rats that were not pretreated, and the number of nodules detected was lower. No nodules were found in any of the rats that received the highest dose of saffron. Saffron also reduced liver enlargement and elevation of liver enzymes in the animals that received it. In separate experiments in cultured liver cancer cells, the administration of saffron was shown to arrest growth and increase programmed cell death.

While administration of DEN increased markers of oxidative stress, treatment with saffron lowered these markers while increasing antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, saffron was associated with down-regulation of inflammatory markers.

"In the fight against cancer, there has been much interest in chemopreventive properties of natural herbs and plants," Professor Amin stated. "With limited treatment options, approaches that prevent cancer development are among the best strategies to protect against the disease."

"Our findings suggest that saffron provides an anticancer protective effect by promoting cell death (apoptosis), inhibiting proliferation of cancerous cells, and blocking inflammation," he concluded. "Further investigation of saffron extract and its mechanism of action in hepatic cell cancer is currently underway."

http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2011/0826_Saffron-Prevents-Liver-Cancer-in-Animal-Model.htm?source=eNewsLetter2011Wk34-2 & key=Article & l=0#article