Effect of Crocin and Crocetin Compared to Cyclophosphamide on the Expression Level of miRNA-16-1 in a B Cell Transformed with EBV Virus Cell Line

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

2 Department of Biology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran.

3 Research Center for Noncommunicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.

4 Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

5 Department of Oncology-Pathology, Immune and Gene Therapy Lab, Cancer Center Karolinska (CCK), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract

Introduction: Crocin and Crocetin are compounds that have shown promising therapeutic potentials in various medical contexts. To date, the effect of crocin and crocetin on the expression level of miRNA-16-1 in Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)-induced lymphoma has not been investigated. This research delved into a comparative analysis of the cytotoxic effects of crocin and crocetin compared to cyclophosphamide, the main drug used in the treatment of lymphoma and PTLD, on B-cell lymphoma infected with EBV (cell line CO 88BV59-1). Additionally, the study examines the changes in miRNA-16-1 expression following these treatments in this cell line. Materials and methods: CO 88BV59-1 LCL cells were treated with crocin, crocetin (0.2 to 200 μM), and cyclophosphamide (0.05 to 50 μM) for 72 hours. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using resazurin and Annexin V/PI techniques, respectively. Additionally, the expression of miRNA-16-1-3p and miRNA-16-1-5p was determined using the Real-Time PCR method. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s multiple comparisons post-hoc test. Results: Crocin and crocetin inhibited the proliferation and apoptosis caused by EBV-infected cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). The expression levels of miRNA-16-1-3p and miRNA-16-1-5p remained unchanged in cells treated with crocin and crocetin. Conclusion: The study found that the cytotoxic effect of Crocin, Crocetin, and Cyclophosphamide on CO 88BV59-1 LCL is independent of the expression level of miRNA-16-1. The results showed a reduction in cell survival and an increase in cell death.

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