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Pharmaceutical Biology Volume 51, 2013 - Issue 7
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Review Article

Role of saffron and its constituents on cancer chemoprevention

Zhiyu ZhangTang Center for Herbal Medicine Research;Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Chicago, ILUSA
,
Chong-Zhi WangTang Center for Herbal Medicine Research;Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Chicago, ILUSA
,
Xiao-Dong WenTang Center for Herbal Medicine Research;Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Chicago, ILUSA
,
Yukihiro ShoyamaFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University NagasakiJapan
&
Chun-Su YuanTang Center for Herbal Medicine Research;Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Chicago, ILUSA;Committee on Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Chicago, ILUSACorrespondence[email protected]
Pages 920-924 | Received 30 Aug 2012, Accepted 24 Jan 2013, Published online: 09 Apr 2013
 
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Abstract

Context: Cancer dramatically impacts human life expectancy and quality of life. Natural substances from vegetables, herbs and spices could be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of a variety of cancers. Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), which has been used as a folk medicine for treating diseases for ages, showed obvious cancer chemoprevention potential.

Objective: This article focuses on the effects of Crocus sativus and its main ingredients, such as crocin, on cancer therapeutics.

Methods: We reviewed research data from saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, and its constituents using the major databases, namely, Web of Science, SciFinder and PubMed.

Results and conclusion: Saffron possesses free radical-scavenging properties and antitumor activities. Significant cancer chemopreventive effects have been shown in both in vitro and in vivo models. Based on current data, saffron and its ingredients could be considered as a promising candidate for clinical anticancer trials.

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