1. Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. 2. Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction
Crocin is a pharmacologically active component of crocus sativus (saffron) and has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, metastatic manner of cancer cells and induce cell apoptosis in various cancers. however, the effect and mechanisms of crocin on cancer metastasis are still enigmatic. cancer invasiveness and metastasis are associated with the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (mmps). in this study, highly metastatic breast cancer cell line (mda‑mb‑231) were used to evaluate the anti-metastatic activity of crocin via mmp-2 and mmp-9 expression.
Methods
Cytotoxic effects of crocin on mda-mb-231 were determined by using mtt assay. wound healing assay and boyden chamber assay were performed for evaluation of crocin on migeration and invasion potential of mda-mb-231 cells. the influence of the crocin on the expression of mmp-2 and mmp-9 mrna was assessed by qpcr.
Results
Crocin showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the viability, migration and invasion of mda-mb-231 cells. treatment of cells with different concentration of crocin for 48h exerted down-regulation of mmp-2 and mmp-9 mrnas expression.
Conclusion
The findings of this study shows that crocin inhibits mda mb 231 cell invasiveness via down-regulation of mmp-2 and mmp-9 expression.
