Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Carthamus tinctorius L. on Human Colon Carcinoma

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) has been used as herbal tea for health. Its indication is used as neurotropic, cardiotropic, hemopoietic, diaphoretic, reduces cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the effect of the dichloromethane extract of C. tinctorius on apoptosis of human colon carcinoma, SW620 cell line and the underlying mechanism of herb-induced apoptosis. SW620 cell line was incubated with the dichloromethane fraction of C. tinctorius and their proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. Cell death due to apoptosis was involved in C. tinctorius treatment. The inhibiting tumor cell growth was confirmed by staining with Annexin V Apoptosis Detection kit. Apoptotic pathways involving Fas receptor and BCl 2 family were investigated by RT PCR. The crude extract of C. tinctorius showed significantly inhibition in cell proliferation and the inhibition was dose-dependent. The inhibitory effect is a result of the induction of apoptosis which is time dependent. This was associated with up-regulation of Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 and down regulation of BCl 2 in SW620 treated cell line. The potential pro-apoptotic effect of C. tinctorius would be further evaluated on Caspase 8 mRNA expression in SW620 treated cell line.