title: Inhibition of genotoxicity by saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in mice.
abstract: Experiments were carried out to ascertain whether or not saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L.), a commonly used agent for flavoring and coloring food can exert modulatory effects on the in vivo genotoxicity of cisplatin (CIS), cyclophosphamide (CPH), mitomycin C (MMC) and urethane (URE). For this purpose, Swiss albino mice were pretreated for five consecutive days with three doses (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight) of the aqueous extract of saffron. Genotoxic effects were assessed in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. The results obtained suggest that pretreatment with saffron can significantly inhibit the genotoxicity of CIS, CPH, MMC and URE. This inhibitory effect was not always dose-dependent. In addition, the hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was assessed in the control and treated animals. No significant change in GST activity was observed after pretreatment with saffron alone. Treatment with the genotoxins alone significantly inhibited GST activity. Saffron pretreatment attenuated the inhibitory effects of the genotoxins on GST activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Dr. ALM PG Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai 600113, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Premkumar
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Santhiya
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramesh
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D027622:Crocus; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005982:Glutathione Transferase