Saffron May Prevent Liver Cancer
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The spice saffron is in the news for its cancer fighting ability. Nathan Seppa reported in the October 8, 2011 issue of Science News that saffron was successful in preventing liver cancer in an animal model. The research was done by a group of molecular biologists led by Amr Amin of United Arab Emirates University. This group chose liver cancer because many cancers that metastasize from other organs end up in the liver.
Saffron is an expensive spice made from the Crocus sativus flower. I found prices of $10 to $20 per gram. Seppa reported that the spice has been used as a folk remedy for centuries. Over the last few decades, saffron has attracted interest in research labs around the world.
Lab studies of human cancer cell lines have shown promise for saffron as an anti-cancer agent. H. H. Aung and colleagues at the University of Chicago reported in 2007 that saffron inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells, while not affecting normal cells. S. Samarghandian and colleagues at Mashhad University Medical Sciences in Iran reported in May, 2011, that saffron kills human lung cancer cells by inducing apoptosis.
Amin's study was based on an experimental model of liver cancer in rats. The chemical diethylnitrosamine was injected into the animals to induce liver cancer. Seppa explained that 24 rats were fed saffron daily for 24 weeks, starting two weeks before the chemical injection.
Eight other rats received the same cancer-promoting chemical with no saffron. Six of them developed cancerous nodules on the liver, while only four out of the 24 rats receiving saffron developed cancerous nodules. Amin reported that the saffron doses were 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day. None of the rats on the highest dose developed nodules.
Clinical studies are planned for liver cancer patients, Seppa reported. In addition, further research may yield a way to lower the price. Synthetic versions of the active ingredients may be less expensive to produce.
In addition, C. J.
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Make sure that the saffron you use for your culinary preparation or for other uses is genuine and not adulterated with artificial colors. Make sure that the saffron is laboratory tested in a US lab and is free of artificial colorants. Always ask for a laboratory report and do not trust the ones from Spain they are either "cook" or misleading as to the origin of the saffron. If you have any doubt as to the quality of your saffron e mail us to saffron@saffron.com.
November 1, 2011 - 5:18pmSincerely,
Juan J. San Mames
President
Vanilla, Saffron Imports
USA.
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