title: Crocin effects on human myeloma cells regarding intracellular redox state, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis or necrosis profile.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Well-documented studies reported several pharmacological properties for crocin, the active compound of Crocus sativus, such as its antitumor, radical scavenging, antidepressant, and memory-enhancing effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the possible cytotoxic activity of crocin on B lymphocytes in human myeloma (U266 cell line) after 24- and 48-hour treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this purpose, cell viability was determined by the colorimetric MTT assay and cell death pattern was evaluated using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis detection kit. ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and DNA fragmentation were assessed using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) kit and PI staining, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest concentration of crocin significantly decreased ROS production after 48 hours of treatment. However, crocin had no effect on the expression level of HSP (Heat shock protein). Additionally, its administration caused a mild decline in cell viability and a mild increase in the population of DNA fragmented cells as well as apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, no prominent effect was seen; therefore, in order to have a better perspective of crocin activity against cancerous cell lines, further studies are highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Medical Toxicology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rezaee
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Khadijeh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jamialahmadi
authors.affiliation: Medical Toxicology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Bamdad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Riahi Zanjani
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoudi
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abnous
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Shahrzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zamani Taghizadeh Rabe
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nafiseh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tabasi
authors.affiliation: Medical Toxicology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zali
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rezaee
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Bahareh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karimi
keywords: Apoptosis; Crocus; DNA Fragmentation; Necrosis