The Synergic Effects of Crocus Sativus L. and Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on VEGFR2 Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Avicenna journal of medical biotechnology · 2014 · Mixed · Very low evidence

← Research stream

MixedVery low evidencePaper 4689

Study snapshot

PublicationAvicenna journal of medical biotechnology · 2014

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis, which is required for embryonic development and many physiological events, plays crucial role in many pathological conditions such as tumor growth and metastasis. Recent studies indicate anticancer and antitumor properties of saffron against human cancers. Many processes are affected by Electromagnetic Field (EMF) and its effect on proliferation and gene expression were examined. In this experimental study, the synergic effects of saffron and EMF on VEGFR2 gene expression in MCF7 cells were investigated. METHODS: Saffron was extracted using freeze dryer. MCF7 cells were grown in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS and incubated at 37°C with 5% CO2. After 24 hr cells were treated with saffron extract at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml. Forty eight hr after treatment all flasks were exposed with EMF (50 Hz, 0.004 T). Then total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthetized using specific primer. Synthetized products were analyzed by Real Time PCR to determine expression level of VEGFR2. Data were analyzed by SPSS (ANOVA & Tukey). RESULTS: Critical inhibitory effect on VEGFR2 gene expression was 20% at 400 µg/ml. Synergic use of EMF and saffron extract showed most reduction (38%) at 100 µg/ml. On the other hand synergic use of 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml saffron aqua extract and EMF decline noticeably the VEGFR2 level of gene expression to 29, 35 and 36%, respectively. EMF itself also reduced VEGFR2 up to 25% in comparison with control group which is remarkable at p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Results indicate a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor in the treated samples with saffron extract compared to control. This reduction in VEGFR2 level induced by synergic treatment of saffron and EMF which reveals induction of inhibitory effects of saffron on angiogenesis and could be also considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationHuman breast cancer cell line (MCF7)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · Exposure applied 48 hr after saffron treatment (exposure duration not stated)

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In MCF7 cells, saffron extract reduced VEGFR2 gene expression, with a reported 20% inhibitory effect at 400 µg/ml. EMF exposure (50 Hz, 0.004 T) alone reduced VEGFR2 up to 25% versus control (p < 0.001). Combined saffron + EMF produced larger reductions, with the greatest reported reduction of 38% at 100 µg/ml saffron; reductions of 29%, 35%, and 36% were reported at 200, 400, and 800 µg/ml with EMF.

Outcomes measured

VEGFR2 gene expression (Real Time PCR)

Limitations

In vitro cell-line study; findings may not translate to humans or clinical outcomes
Exposure duration for EMF not specified in the abstract
Sample size/replicates not reported in the abstract
Only one molecular endpoint (VEGFR2 expression) reported; no functional angiogenesis or tumor outcomes described

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "laboratory exposure",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Exposure applied 48 hr after saffron treatment (exposure duration not stated)"
  },
  "population": "Human breast cancer cell line (MCF7)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "VEGFR2 gene expression (Real Time PCR)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In MCF7 cells, saffron extract reduced VEGFR2 gene expression, with a reported 20% inhibitory effect at 400 µg/ml. EMF exposure (50 Hz, 0.004 T) alone reduced VEGFR2 up to 25% versus control (p < 0.001). Combined saffron + EMF produced larger reductions, with the greatest reported reduction of 38% at 100 µg/ml saffron; reductions of 29%, 35%, and 36% were reported at 200, 400, and 800 µg/ml with EMF.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line study; findings may not translate to humans or clinical outcomes",
    "Exposure duration for EMF not specified in the abstract",
    "Sample size/replicates not reported in the abstract",
    "Only one molecular endpoint (VEGFR2 expression) reported; no functional angiogenesis or tumor outcomes described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "0.004 T",
    "MCF7",
    "breast cancer cells",
    "saffron",
    "Crocus sativus",
    "VEGFR2",
    "gene expression",
    "angiogenesis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study uses low-frequency EMF exposure at 50 Hz (0.004 T) in a laboratory setting."
    },
    {
      "slug": "cancer-in-vitro",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "In vitro breast cancer (MCF7) gene-expression endpoint related to angiogenesis."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: 24834315

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library