Important: This article summarizes early laboratory (animal) research. Saffron is not a proven treatment or cure for breast cancer or any other cancer. Do not use saffron in place of medical care — anyone concerned about breast cancer should follow evidence-based advice from a qualified doctor.
What the study looked at
Researchers at the Tarbiat Modares University School of Medical Sciences studied how crocin and crocetin — two carotenoid compounds found in saffron — affected the expression of the p53 and p27 genes in breast-cancer tumors grown in rats.
Why these compounds and genes
Crocin and crocetin are major carotenoids in saffron. Laboratory and animal studies have reported anti-tumor and antioxidant activity for them, but the exact molecular mechanism is still not established, and these effects have not been shown to treat cancer in people.
p53 and p27 are genes involved in apoptosis (programmed cell death) and control of the cell cycle. Because cancer can involve an imbalance between cell death and cell proliferation, researchers examine whether compounds change the activity of genes like these.
What the researchers found (in rats)
In NMU-induced breast tumors in female rats, treatment with saffron carotenoids changed gene expression measured by RT-PCR: crocetin-treated tumors showed increased p53 expression, while crocin-treated tumors showed decreased p53 expression; both crocetin and crocin reduced p27 expression compared with untreated tumors. The researchers concluded that crocin and crocetin lowered p27 expression but had differing effects on p53.
The bottom line
This is preliminary animal research into how saffron compounds affect certain genes in tumor cells. It does not mean saffron treats or prevents breast cancer in humans, and it is not medical advice.
