High expression of cyclin D1 and p21 in N-nitroso-N-methylurea-induced breast cancer in wistar albino female rats

N-nitroso-N-methylurea [NMU] induces breast cancer in rodents, particularly in rats. This model of breast cancer is very similar to human breast cancer. As a continuation of our recent work, we investigated the expressions of cyclin D1 and p21 in NMU-induced breast cancer of Wistar Albino rats. In this experimental study, mammary carcinoma was induced in female Wistar Albino rats by a new protocol which included the intraperitoneal injection of NMU [50 mg/kg] at 50, 65, and 80 days of the animal's age. The animals were weighed weekly and palpated in order to record the numbers, location, and size of tumors. Subsequently tumor incidence [TI], latency period [LP], and tumor multiplicity [TM] were reported. About four weeks after the tumor size reached 1.5 cm[3], rats were sacrificed. Cyclin D1 and p21 expressions in tumors and normal mammary glands from normal rats were measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT- PCR] and Western blot analysis. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS software version 16.0. The efficiency of tumor induction was 65%, LP was 150 days, and a TM of 1.43 +/- 0.53 per rat was noted. RT-PCR and Western blot data indicated significant [p<0.05] induction of both cyclin D1 and p21 expressions in rat mammary tumors compared with normal tissue from the control group. These results indicate an efficient mammary tumor induction protocol for this type of rat, which is accompanied by an increase in cyclin D1 and p21 expressions

Historical uses of saffron: identifying potential new avenues for modern research

During the ancient times, saffron [Crocus sativus L.] had many uses around the world; however, some of these uses were forgotten throughout the history. But a newly formed interest in natural active compounds brought back the attention toward historical uses of saffron. Understanding different uses of saffron in the past can help us finding the best uses at present. In this study, we reviewed different uses of saffron throughout the history among different nations. ISI web of Science and Medline, along with references of traditional Iranian medicine were searched for historical uses of saffron. Saffron has been known since more than 3000 years ago by many nations. It was valued not only as a culinary condiment, but also as a dye, perfume and as a medicinal herb. Its medicinal uses ranged from treating eye problems to genitourinary and many other diseases in various cultures. It was also used as a tonic agent and antidepressant drug among many nations. Saffron has had many different uses such as a food additive and a palliative agent for many human diseases. Thus, as an important medicinal herb, it is a good candidate with many promising potentials to be considered for new drug design

Crocin Bleaching Assay Using Purified Di-gentiobiosyl Crocin [alpha-crocin] from Iranian Saffron

Crocin bleaching assay [CBA] is a new method for determination of antioxidant capacity. In CBA, addition of hydrogen to the conjugated double bonds of crocin results in reduction of crocin and increase in the absorbance at 440 nm, which is considered as a measure of antioxidant potential. Here CBA method was set up using di-gentiobiosyl crocin or a-crocin from Iranian saffron. Then, the antioxidant activity of some known antioxidants i.e. L-ascorbie acid, bilirubin, Trolox, uric acid, and some plasma samples of infants, were tested. The results were compared to that obtained by ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] as a standard method. Di-gentiobiosyl crocin was extracted and purified from Iranian saffron as previously described by us. Then, the CBA procedure using alpha-crocin was done in 2 different aquatic conditions, >50% or >90% of water. Results were analyzed by both the Bors method [calculating the relative rate constants

[rel] and the Tsimidou method [calculating the percent of alpha-crocin bleaching inhibition=% Inh]. Our results indicated the following order of antioxidant potential for the above mentioned agents: ascorbic acid > uric acid > Trolox. However, these results are very similar to the data reported by others, but they are strongly related to the aqueous condition. In addition, uric acid showed different properties at different concentrations; so that it showed the antioxidant activity at low concentrations but it acted as a prooxidant at higher concentrations. Bilirubin interfered with this test, possibly because its maximum absorbance is close to the crocin. The obtained data for the antioxidant capacity of the serums was comparable with FRAP assay, except for the sample that contains high bilirubin concentration. In conclusion, it seems that CBA using the main fraction of crocin [alpha-crocin] is a simple and useful method for determination of antioxidant potential of aqueous samples. In addition, the CBA ability to distinguish the samples that contain bilirubin or high uric acid content is helpful in clinical laboratories