trans-sodium-crocetinate and Skin-Neoplasms

The known properties of saffron (Crocus sativus, L.) and its components have been examined. Recently, hormone like effects in green algae and the anti-cancerogenic and anti-toxic effects, have been observed. In particular, the effects of crocetin, a carotenoids (8,8'-diapo-8,8'-carotenoic acid) present in saffron and characterized by a diterpenic and symmetrical structure with seven double bonds and four methyl groups, have been taken into consideration. It has been found that this compound enhances the oxygen diffusivity through liquids, such as plasma. As a consequence of this property, it has been observed that crocetin increases alveolar oxygen transport and enhances pulmonary oxygenation. It improves cerebral oxygenation in hemorrhaged rats and positively acts in the atherosclerosis and arthritis treatment. It inhibits skin tumor promotion in mice (i.e., with benzo(a)pyrene); it has an inhibitory effect on intracellular nucleic acid and protein synthesis in malignant cells, as well as on protein-kinase-C and prorooncogene in INNIH/3T3 cells. This is most likely due to its anti-oxidant activity. Furthermore, crocetin protects against oxidative damage in rat primary hepatocytes. It also suppresses aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxic lesions and has a modulatory effect on aflatoxin, B1 cytotoxicity, and DNA adduct formation on C3H10/T1/2 fibroblast cells. It also has a protective effect on the bladder toxicity, induced by cyclophosphamide. The experiments reported in the scientific literature and the interesting results obtained have been carried out in vitro or on laboratory animals, but not yet on man.

Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Crocus; Humans; Oxygen; Skin Neoplasms; Vitamin A

The effects of topical application of crocetin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced promotion of skin tumors, hyperplasia, hydrogen peroxide, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and inflammation were evaluated in female CD-1 mice. Topical application of crocetin (0.2 or 1.0 mumol) with TPA (15 nmol) twice weekly for 20 weeks to mice previously initiated with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) inhibited the number of TPA-induced tumors per mouse by 69 and 81% respectively. Pre-application of the same amount of crocetin also afforded significant protection against TPA-induced hyperplasia in the ear skin. Topical application of crocetin inhibited tumor promoter-caused induction of epidermal ODC activity by TPA (5 nmol). The topical application of crocetin (0.2 or 1.0 mumol) inhibited TPA-induced edema of mouse ears by 76 and 87% respectively. Pretreatment of mouse skin with various amounts of crocetin caused inhibition of hydrogen peroxide and myeloperoxidase production by TPA. These results indicate that crocetin possesses potential as a cancer chemopreventive agent against tumor promotion.

Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Benzo(a)pyrene; Carotenoids; Edema; Enzyme Induction; Female; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hyperplasia; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Peroxidase; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Vitamin A

Crocetin seems to have a small effect in slowing the development of skin tumors induced in hairless mice by the application of dimethyl-benz-a-anthracene and croton oil. No definite effect is shown on preventing the development of tumors induced by UV-B radiation.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; Carotenoids; Croton Oil; Female; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Neoplasms, Experimental; Skin Neoplasms; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin A

A carotenoid compound, crocetin, was used in two different types of tests involving animal tumors. These tests showed that crocetin both decreased the numbers of tumors as well as delaying onset.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; Carotenoids; Chickens; Mice; Neoplasms, Experimental; Papilloma; Sarcoma, Avian; Skin Neoplasms; Vitamin A