Saffron Molecule May Fight Liver Cancer

A Bio-molecule found in saffron may potentially help treat a common form of liver cancer, a new study has claimed.

• Sorafenib, a drug that inhibits the growth of new blood vessels, remains the only available therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) , a common type of liver cancer, researchers said. 
• Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University examined the chemopreventive action of saffron's main biomolecule, crocin
• The researchers assessed the effects of crocin on HepG2 cells - a perpetual cell line consisting of human liver carcinoma cells
• In addition, they studied the effects of crocin on cell cycle distribution of HepG2 cells
• Network analysis identified NF-kB as a potential regulatory hub, and therefore, a candidate therapeutic drug target.
• Crocin exhibited anti-inflamatory properties where a protein complex NF-kB, among other inflammatory markers, was inhibited
• These findings introduce crocin as a candidate chemo preventive agent against HCC