Einfluss von Safran auf Zellvitalität und DNA-Stabilität von HepG2-Zellen

Felizitas Moll
2010 unpublished
The present study was conducted to analyze the stigmas and petals of Austrian saffron (Crocus sativus L.) regarding their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on HepG2 cells. One of the main aims was to observe the effects in relevant amounts for the average household and for nutritional sciences. Samples were tested in three different concentrations per group (petals: 1T, 2T, 3T; stigmas: 2NÄ, 5NÄ, 10NÄ) and extracted with an 80% ethanolic solution, then incubated for 24 hours. After incubation of
more » ... he cells, cell counts and cell viability were determined via trypane blue assay. Afterwards the comet (SCGE-) assay was performed to identify any DNA damage inflicted to the cells. The trypane blue assay showed that all cell counts were in the range of the negative control group. However, a slight, non-significant and dose-dependent reduction in cell counts could be observed, especially in the stigmas group. Comet assay revealed no significant increase in DNA damage in saffron-treated cells. To sum up, stigmas and petals of Crocus sativus L. displayed no genotoxic and only limited cytotoxic potential against HepG2 cells in vitro in the tested concentration range. On the basis of these studies we can therefore conclude that a regular household usage of saffron stigmas and petals seems nonhazardous. Due to the restricted transferability of cell tests to the whole human body, however, further research in the form of animal and human studies will be necessary to confirm these results.
doi:10.25365/thesis.8438 fatcat:2pv3uygd35brtiuckwxqdka7ta