Evaluation of apoptotic effect of crocin, cisplatin, and their combination in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line HN5

Abstract

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common oral malignancy with high rate
of mortality. Cisplatin, as the most effective chemotherapy drug, has side effects. Considering the
studies on the use of crocin in saffron in the treatment of various malignancies, this study aimed at
investigating the effects of crocin and cisplatin and their combination on SCC and fibroblast cell lines.
Materials and Methods: In this interventional study, HN5 and fibroblast cell lines were treated
with different concentrations of crocin (12.5–50 μg/mL) and cisplatin (2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 μg/mL), and
the cells were counted after 24, 48, and 72 h by 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium
bromide assay. Data were analyzed with SPSS Version 17, and P < 0.05 was considered the level of
significance. In the final stage, flow cytometry after 24 h in terms of the pattern of cell death was done.
Results: Both drugs had a toxic effect on malignant cells. One point was the high toxic effect of 8
μg/mL cisplatin not only on cancer cells (P < 0.001) but also on fibroblasts. However, combination
with 12.5 μg/mL of crocin had the same effect on HN5 cell line, despite the less toxic effect in
fibroblasts in comparison with cisplatin alone (P = 0.012). Apoptosis was the pattern of cell death
showed by flow cytometry.
Conclusion: Crocin in high concentrations can have not only significant toxicity in cancer cells but
also side effects in healthy tissue. It seems that lower doses of crocin, in combination with cisplatin,
besides having anticancer effect, can reduce the toxicity of cisplatin in healthy tissue.
Key Words: Apoptosis, carcinoma, cell culture techniques, cisplatin, crocus, squamous cell