title: Crocetin: an agent derived from saffron for prevention and therapy for cancer.
abstract: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and accounts for approximately 8 million deaths per year worldwide. Although there is an increasing number of therapeutic options available for patients with cancer, their efficacy is time-limited and non-curative. Approximately 50-60% cancer patients in the United States utilize agents derived from different parts of plants or nutrients (complementary and alternative medicine), exclusively or concurrently with traditional therapeutic regime such as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The need for new drugs has prompted studies evaluating possible anti-cancer agents in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Saffron, a spice and a food colorant present in the dry stigmas of the plant Crocus sativus L., has been used as an herbal remedy for various ailments including cancer by the ancient Arabian, Indian and Chinese cultures. Crocetin, an important carotenoid constituent of saffron, has shown significant potential as an anti-tumor agent in animal models and cell culture systems. Crocetin affects the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis, enhancing anti-oxidative system, inducing apoptosis and hindering growth factor signaling pathways. This review discusses the studies on cancer preventive potential of crocetin and its future use as an anticancer agent.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Gutheil
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Amitabha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Shrikant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anant
authors.forename: Animesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027622:Crocus; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C487773:trans-sodium crocetinate; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids