Effect of saffron on liver cancer

Scientists working at the University of the United Arab Emirates, in Al-Ain, discovered that: the saffron pistil (originally used to make dyes and spices to enhance incense The taste for food and alcohol has the effect of inhibiting the development of liver cancer in mice.

Saffron works to prevent cancer.

The results of this study, published in the August issue of Hepatology , found that this saffron spice has the effect of preventing the effects of a range of chemical compounds capable of causing radicals. Cancer and recovery of antioxidants (such as superoxide dismutase) have the effect of inhibiting cancer cells.

Previous studies have shown benefits against depression, inflammation, memory loss, and as an antioxidant of saffron pistil heads. Animal and human studies have confirmed that saffron can inhibit cancer cells to a certain extent . However, the exact mechanism of saffron anti-cancer efficacy has not been thoroughly understood, according to Amr Amin, a molecular biologist, at the University of the United Arab Emirates, in Al-Ain.

Although turmeric spice has been used as a folk remedy for centuries, it has only been tested in the laboratory in recent decades. In this study, Amin and colleagues gave 24 experimental mice in group 1, eating saffron daily for 24 weeks. The first two weeks of the treatment regimen, the researchers injected mice with chemical compounds known to cause liver cancer, diethylnitrosamine and 2-acetylaminofluorene.

Meanwhile, the second group of 8 other mice was also injected with the chemical compound into the body, but they were given distilled water instead of saffron. The results of the six mice tested in group 2 developed cancer cells with their liver nodules, while only 4 of the 24 mice tested in the group 1 had nodules on their liver. . Of the 8 mice in group 1, which consumed the most turmeric, did not develop any liver nodules.

Amin and colleagues chose to study liver cancer, because liver cancer is often spread from cancer in other parts, such as colon cancer or breast cancer, often end in liver cancer.

Saffron spices protect a common protein in the cell nucleus called Ki-67 and reduce other compounds that cause liver damage and oxidation. Oxidation reactions occur as a result of an imbalance between molecules, also known as free radicals, that have made antioxidants disabled. This may lead to abnormal cell growth, a precursor to cancer cells, Amin said. Meanwhile, antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, have been restored in experimental mice fed with saffron.

A series of separate experiments on patients' liver cancer cells showed that saffron spice has the effect of inhibiting the activity of important proteins such as NF-kappa B , interleukin-8 and other destructive factors. tumor receptor 1, which works to make tumor cells grow and become inflamed. Other evidence suggests that saffron helps restore the immune system to eliminate and replace cancer cells as well as other dead cells, a safe mechanism of the immune system, often. disabled in cancer.

" This is a very practical and quality study, " according to Tapas Saha, a molecular biologist, working at Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, USA. However, Saha, who was not involved in the study, said that replicating these findings to apply them as a human treatment could be a challenge. The flowers of Saffron must be hand-picked, and therefore, the cost is still high. " Saffron is an expensive spice ," he said, " and it is very difficult to understand the mechanism of saffron spice as a medicine. "

The synthesis of important chemical ingredients in saffron may be less expensive. Amine added that the study could help identify these chemical components. Meanwhile, the team also plans to continue testing the effect of turmeric spice on liver cancer patients.