DNA Fragmentation and Cell Cycle Arrest: A Hallmark ofApoptosis Induced by Crocin from Kashmiri Saffron in aHuman Pancreatic Cancer Cell line

Background: Apoptosis, a widely important mechanism that contributes to cell growth reduction, is reportedto be induced by Crocus sativus in different cancer types. The present study was designed to elucidate apoptosisinduction by crocin, a main component of Crocus sativus in a human pancreatic cancer cell line (BxPC-3).
Methods: Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, Hoechest33258 staining was used to detect the chromatincondensation characteristic of apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation was assessed by gel electrophoresis and cellcycle analysis by flow cytometry.
Results: Crocin induced apoptosis and G1-phase cell cycle arrest of BxPC-3cells, while decreasing cell viability in a dose dependent and time dependent manner. Cells treated with 10μg/Lcrocin exhibited apoptotic morphology (brightly blue-fluorescent condensed nuclei on Hoechst 33258 staining)and reduction of volume. DNA analysis revealed typical ladders as early as 12 hours after treatment indicativeof apoptosis.
Conclusion: Our preclinical study demonstrated a pancreatic cancer cell line to be highly sensitiveto crocin-mediated growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death. Although the molecular mechanisms of crocinaction are not yet clearly understood, it appears to have potential as a therapeutic agent.