Inhibition of genotoxicity by saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in mice

Experiments were carried out to ascertain whether or not saffron (dried sti gmas of Crocus sativus L.), a commonly used agent for flavoring and colorin g food can exert modulatory effects on the in vivo genotoxicity of cisplati n (CIS), cyclophosphamide (CPH), mitomycin C (MMC) and urethane (URE). For this purpose, Swiss albino mice were pretreated for five consecutive days w ith three doses (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight) of the aqueous extract of saffron. Genotoxic effects were assessed in the mouse bone marrow micronuc leus test. The results obtained suggest that pretreatment with saffron can significantly inhibit the genotoxicity of CIS, CPH, MMC and URE. This inhib itory effect was not always dose-dependent. In addition, the hepatic glutat hione S-transferase (GST) activity was assessed in the control and treated animals. No significant change in GST activity was observed after pretreatm ent with saffron alone. Treatment with the genotoxins alone significantly i nhibited GST activity. Saffron pretreatment attenuated the inhibitory effec ts of the genotoxins on GST activity.