title: Effect of saffron on thymocyte proliferation, intracellular glutathione levels and its antitumor activity.
abstract: Liposome encapsulation of saffron effectively enhanced its antitumor activity towards Sarcoma-180 (S-180) and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma solid tumors in mice. Significant inhibition (P < 0.001) in the growth of these tumors was observed as compared with vehicle (control) mice. In the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T cell mitogen, saffron stimulated non-specific proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro. The intracellular reduced glutathione and related enzymes, i.e. glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase, of S-180 tumor cells were significantly elevated when incubated with saffron, possibly acting to maintain functional levels of other antioxidants. Our studies indicate the antioxidant activity of saffron.
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre and Hospital, Trichur, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Salomi
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Panikkar
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Panikkar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000187:drug effects; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000187:drug effects; D008081:Liposomes; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012510:Sarcoma 180 / Q000188:drug therapy; D017365:Spices
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D008081:Liposomes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione