The effect of saffron on intracellular DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in malignant and non-malignant human cells
Abdullaev, F.I.; Frenkel, G.D.
Biofactors 4(1): 43-45
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0951-6433 PMID: 1284012 Document Number: 391781
Extract of saffron (Crocus sativis) has previously been shown to inhibit colony formation and cellular DNA and RNA synthesis by HeLa cells in vitro. In order to compare the sensitivity of malignant and non-malignant cells to saffron, we examined the effect of the extract on macromolecular synthesis in three human cell lines: A549 cells (derived from a lung tumor), WI-38 cells (normal lung fibroblasts) and VA-13 cells (WI-38 cells transformed in vitro by SV40 tumor virus). We found that the malignant cells were more sensitive than the normal cells to the inhibitory effect of saffron on both DNA and RNA synthesis. There was no effect on protein synthesis in any of the cells.