crocin and Colonic-Neoplasms

Crocin has immunomodulatory and anticancer effects. In this study, crocin was used to induce the M1 phenotype in mouse tumor macrophages.. A targeted liposomal formulation with m2 peptide was prepared and characterized to deliver crocin to the M2 macrophages present in the tumor environment. RT-qPCR and IHC were performed for in vitro and in vivo (in C26 colon carcinoma mouse model at a dose of 50 mg/kg) assessment of M1 induction, respectively.. In vitro results indicated that liposome modified with m2 peptide was non-toxic to macrophages and had an improved uptake by macrophages compared to the non-targeted formulation and induced M1 phenotype through an IL6-independent pathway. M2 peptide- modified liposome showed considerable tumor accumulation and anti-tumor effects and significantly shifted the phenotype of tumor macrophages towards an anti-tumor M1 phenotype.. Probably the remarkable anti-tumor responses observed in this study with m2 peptide-targeted liposomal formulations containing crocin were due to the enhanced delivery of crocin to the tumor macrophage and the subsequent initiation of anti-tumor immune responses.

Topics: Animals; Colonic Neoplasms; Liposomes; Macrophages; Mice; Peptides; Phenotype

Crocin has been reported to have therapeutic effects on multiple cancers including colon cancer, but its specific mechanism is still ambiguous and needs to be further explored. Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HCT-116) and human normal colonic epithelial cells (CCD841) were first treated with increasing concentrations of crocin. Subsequently, with 150 and 200 μM of crocin, the cell vitality was examined by cell counting kit 8. Cell apoptosis and proliferation were tested by TUNEL staining and colony formation assay, respectively. The expression of Ki-67 was assessed by immunofluorescence. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the level of inflammation- and oxidative-related factors. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were examined by flow cytometer. Janus kinase (JAK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) in HCT-116 cells were tested by Western blot. Different concentrations of crocin barely affected the CCD841 cell vitality, while crocin restrained the HCT-116 cells vitality, proliferation and the expression of Ki-67, while inducing apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the contents of inflammation- and oxidative-related factors in HCT-116 cells were largely blunted by crocin that enhanced ROS and restrained the MMP and suppressed p-JAK2/JAK2, p-STAT3/STAT3, and p-ERK/ERK expression in HCT-116 cells. Crocin induced apoptosis and restored mitochondrial function in HCT-116 cells via repressing the JAK pathway. If the threptic effect works in patients, it could herald a new, effective treatment for colon cancer, improving the patients' prognosis and quality of life.

Topics: Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Janus Kinases; Ki-67 Antigen; Quality of Life; Reactive Oxygen Species

Angiogenesis and metastasis play pivotal roles in the progression of cancer. We recently discovered that crocin, a dietary carotenoid derived from the Himalayan crocus, inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells. However, the exact role of crocin on the angiogenesis and metastasis in colorectal cancer remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that crocin significantly reduces the viability of colon cancer cells (HT-29, Caco-2) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), but was not toxic to human colon epithelial (HCEC) cells. Furthermore, pre-treatment of human carcinoma cells (HT-29 and Caco-2) with crocin inhibited cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in concentration -dependent manner. Further studies demonstrated that crocin inhibited TNF-α, NF-κB and VEGF pathways in colon carcinoma cell angiogenesis and metastasis. Crocin also inhibited cell migration, invasion, and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in a concentration -dependent manner. We also observed that crocin significantly reduced the secretion of VEGF and TNF-α induced activation of NF-kB by human colon carcinoma cells. In the absence of TNF-α, a concentration-dependent reduction in NF-kB was observed. Many of these observations were confirmed by in vivo angiogenesis models, which showed that crocin significantly reduced the progression of tumour growth. Collectively, these finding suggest that crocin inhibits angiogenesis and colorectal cancer cell metastasis by targeting NF-kB and blocking TNF-α/NF-κB/VEGF pathways.

Topics: Caco-2 Cells; Carcinoma; Carotenoids; Colonic Neoplasms; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Neovascularization, Pathologic; NF-kappa B; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Crocin is a pharmacologically active component of Crocus sativus. It is an unusual water-soluble carotenoid responsible for the red color of saffron. In various studies, the anticancer effect of saffron and its constituents has been established. Polyethylene glycolated nanoliposomes with a size range up to 200 nm are suitable for encapsulation of cytotoxic drugs and can target tumors passively through the enhanced permeation and retention effect. The aim of this study was to develop a nanoliposomal formulation containing crocin with a higher therapeutic index for the treatment of cancer. Four formulations of polyethylene glycolated nanoliposomes containing 25 mg/ml crocin were prepared with hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and methoxy-polyethylene glycol (MW 2000)-distearoylphosphatidylcholine at different molar ratios by a solvent evaporation method plus extrusion. Then the liposomes were characterized for their size, zeta potential, crocin encapsulation, release properties, and in vitro cytotoxicity against C26 colon carcinoma cells. Based on in vitro results, the best formulation was selected for an in vivo study, and its antitumor activity was evaluated in BALB/c mice bearing C26 colon carcinoma. The IC50 of crocin itself against C26 colon carcinoma was 0.73 mM. The characterization of the best formulation was as follow: Z-average size: 127.6 ± 1.5 nm; polydispersity index: 0.087 ± 0.018; zeta potential: - 21.7 mV ± 6.7; % encapsulation: 84.62 ± 0.59; % release after 168 hours in RPMI 1640 containing 30 % FBS: 16.26 ± 0.01 %. Liposomal crocin at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly decreased tumor size and increased survival rate compared with PBS and crocin in buffer (100 mg/kg) groups. The results of this study indicated that liposomal encapsulation of crocin could increase its antitumorigenic activity. Thus, to obtain an optimal dose for use in humans, the formulation merits further investigation.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma; Carotenoids; Colon; Colonic Neoplasms; Crocus; Female; Liposomes; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Polyethylene Glycols; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We used an experimental model in the rat to examine the effects of long-term treatment with crocin, a glycosylated carotenoid from the stigmas of the saffron crocus, on colon cancer. BD-IX rats were divided into four groups: Groups G1 and G2, designated "cancer groups," were used to study the effects of crocin on the progression of colon cancer, and Groups G3 and G4, designated "toxicity groups," were used to study the effects of the treatment on metabolic processes and the parenchyma. DHD/K12-PROb cells were injected subcutaneously into the chest of Group G1 and G2 animals. From 1 to 13 weeks after inoculation, animals in Groups G2 and G4 received a weekly injection of crocin (400 mg/kg body wt s.c.). Animals in Groups G1 and G3 received no treatment. In addition, lines of animal and human colon adenocarcinoma cells (DHD/K12-PROb and HT-29) were used to perform assays in vitro to examine the cytotoxicity of crocin. Life span was extended and tumor growth was slower in crocin-treated female rats, but no significant antitumor effect was found in male rats. Acute tubular necrosis was found in all kidney samples from crocin-treated animals, but slight signs of nephrotoxicity were found by biochemical analysis of the serum. In assays in vitro, crocin had a potent cytotoxic effect on human and animal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29 and DHD/K12-PROb cells, 50% lethal dose = 0.4 and 1.0 mM, respectively). Treated cells exhibited a remarkable loss of cytoplasm and wide cytoplasmic vacuole-like areas. In conclusion, long-term treatment with crocin enhances survival selectively in female rats with colon cancer without major toxic effects. The effects of crocin might be related to its strong cytotoxic effect on cultured tumor cells.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Carotenoids; Cell Survival; Colonic Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Tubules; Liliaceae; Male; Necrosis; Neoplasm Transplantation; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured