title: Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of crocetin on Xenopus.
abstract: Crocetin, a carotenoid isolated from the spice saffron, has been found to be effective in treating certain types of cancer treatable with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). ATRA, however, is a potent teratogen, and the possibility that crocetin may also be a teratogen becomes an important medical issue. The teratogenic potential of crocetin and ATRA were evaluated in frog (Xenopus) embryos. The data show that crocetin is a teratogen, but far less potent than ATRA. This suggests that crocetin may be a safer alternative to treat ATRA-sensitive cancers in women of childbearing age.
authors.affiliation: College of Art and Science, Indiana University, Jordan Hall 204, Bloomington 47405, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Neff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000633:toxicity*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D013723:Teratogens; C487773:trans-sodium crocetinate; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids