Anti-angiogenesis effect of crocous sativus L. extract on matrix metalloproteinase gene activities in human breast carcinoma cells

Introduction: there is an interest in crocous sativus l. (saffron) mainly because of its biological properties. biomedical research has focused on saffron as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor, but its mechanism has not yet been thoroughly clarified. in this study, the effects of saffron aqua extract on matrix metalloproteinases (mmp) gene expression were investigated.methods: in this experimental study, the saffron was extracted using water as solvent. mcf-7 cells in rpmi1640 medium were supplemented with 10% fbs and incubated at 37 ?c with 5% co2. after 24 h, the cells were treated by saffron extract at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 ?g/ml. 48 h after treatment, total rna was extracted and cdna was synthesized using specific primer. synthesized products were analyzed by real time pcr to determine expression level of mmp.results: data analysis showed inhibitory effect of saffron at concentrations of 100 to 800 ?g/ml on mmp gene expression in comparison with control group. reduction for 100, 200, 400 and 800 ?g/ml were 5%, 18%, 15%, 11%, respectively. according to data analysis treating mcf-7 cells with saffron at concentration of 200 ?g/ml caused the highest decrease, with 18% reduction in gene expression (p < 0.001).conclusion: results indicate decrease in the expression of mmp compared with controls revealing induction of inhibitory effects of saffron on angiogenesis which might be also considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment.