Isolation, purification and characterization of naturally derived Crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester from Crocus sativus L. against breast cancer and its binding chemistry with ER-alpha/HDAC2
Authors: Khalid Z Masoodi
Mudasir A Mir
Sheikh Mansoor
Henna Amin
P Mani
Parvaiz Ahmad
Sumira Jan
Muneeb U Rehman
Shabir Ahmad Ganai
Journal: Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2020)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Antioxidant; Breast cancer; Crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester; DMEM, Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
Affiliations: Division of Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar 190025, Jammu and Kashmir, India., Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-Kashmir, Wadura, Sopore 193201, Jammu & Kashmir, India., Division of Biochemistry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu 180009, J&K, India., Division of Basic Science and Humanities, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar 190025, Jammu and Kashmir, India., Department of Biotechnology, Annai College of Arts & Science, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612503, India., Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K 190006, India., Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saudi University, P. O. Box. 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia., Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saudi University, P. O. Box. 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract:  Saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.) is being used as a source of saffron spice and medicine to cure or prevent different types of diseases including cancers. We report the isolation, characterization of bioactive small molecule ([crocetin (β-d-glucosyl) ester] from the leaf biowastes of saffron plant of Kashmir, India. MTTC assay and Bio-autography aided approach were used to assess anti-oxidant activity and anti-cancer properties of crocin (s) against DPPH free radical and breast cancer cell line respectively. Crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester restrained proliferation of human breast adeno-carcinoma cell model (MCF-7) without significantly affecting normal cell line (L-6). Further studies involving molecular mechanics generalized born surface area and molecular docking showed that crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester exhibits strong affinity for estrogen receptor alpha and histone deacetylase 2 (crucial receptors involved in breast cancer signalling) as evidenced by the negative docking score and binding free energy (BFE) values. Therefore, crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester from Crocus sativus biowastes showed antiproliferative effect possibly by inhibiting estrogen receptor alpha and HDAC2 mediated signalling cascade. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 4. * Red boxes: The control and 250 ug ml panels appear to look similar if one of the two is rotated 180 degrees. * Blue ellipses: In the 500 ug ml panel, the same cell appears to be visible three times. Also, the figure has some parts of text at the bottom, as if it was a screenshot taken from another document, not an assembled figure with 7 photos and labels. Could the authors please explain what happened here? ![file] ,