The effect of saffron on intracellular DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in malignant and non-malignant human cells.
Extract of saffron (Crocus sativis) has previously been shown to inhibit colony formation and cellular DNA and RNA synthesis by HeLa cells in vitro. In order to compare the sensitivity of malignant and non-malignant cells to saffron, we examined the effect of the extract on macromolecular synthesis in three human cell lines: A549 cells (derived from a lung tumor), WI-38 cells (normal lung fibroblasts) and VA-13 cells (WI-38 cells transformed in vitro by SV40 tumor virus). We found that the malignant cells were more sensitive than the normal cells to the inhibitory effects of saffron on both DNA and RNA synthesis. There was no effect on protein synthesis in any of the cells.
Abdullaev
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FI
Laboratory of Genome Biochemistry, Institute of Botany, Baku, Azerbaijan.
Frenkel
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GD
D002460:Cell Line; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000187:drug effects*; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D017365:Spices; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011506:Proteins; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA