ISHS Acta Horticulturae 650: I International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Biotechnology
EVALUATION OF THE MUTAGENIC AND ANTIMUTAGENIC ACTIVITIES OF SAFFRON |
| Authors: | J.M. Hernández, F.I. Abdullaev, H. Caballero-Ortega, L. Riverón-Negrete, I. Pérez-López, M. Medécigo-Ríos |
| Keywords: | antimutagenicity, Crocus sativus L., mutagenicity |
| Abstract:
We have analyzed the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of different concentrations of aqueous and alcoholic saffron extracts, by using classic Ames/Salmonella typhimurium assay With strains TA98 or TA100 and two well-known mutagens: 2-aminoantrhracene (2-AA) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P). Our results indicated that under conditions tested (50-1500 μg/ml) saffron did not display mutagenic, antimutagenic or toxic effects on bacterial strains used. Saffron extracts were unable to modify the number of mutant colonies induced by B(a)P , but in case of 2-AA, we observed a dose-dependent co-mutagenic effect of saffron. Results of experiments with isolated ingredients of saffron showed that the responsible molecule for this unusual co-mutagenic effect of saffron was safranal. The molecular basis for the observed differential effects of saffron on B(a)P and 2-AA induced mutagenesis is currently under investigation. Taken together, our results indicate that saffron extract itself is non-toxic, and non-mutagenic and can be considered as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent. | |
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