Crocin effects on human myeloma cells regarding intracellular redox state,DNA fragmentation,and apoptosis or necrosis profile

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. objectives: 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. materials and 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. © 2014,school of pharmacy,ahvaz jundishapur university of medical sciences.