Cancer chemoprevention is the use of natural, synthetic or
biological substances to reverse or prevent the development of
cancer. Saffron is a naturally derived plant product that acts as an
antispasmodic, diaphoretic, carminative, emmenagogic and
sedative. Our aim in this study was to investigate the chemopreventive effect of aqueous saffron on chemically induced skin
carcinogenesis using a histopathological approach. Mice were divided into five groups:
carcinogen control (CC), normal control (NC) and saffron-treated Groups A, B and C. Groups A, B, C and CC mice received three topical applications of 7,12 dimethylbenz[a]
anthracene (DMBA) followed by
croton oil on shaven dorsal skin for 8 weeks. NC mice received topical skin applications of the vehicle,
acetone, only. Saffron infusion was fed orally to three groups of mice either before (Group A) or after (Group C) or both before and after (Group B) DMBA applications. The activities of
antioxidant enzymes glutathione-S transferase (GST),
glutathione peroxidase (GPx),
catalase (CAT) and
superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue samples taken at 0, 6, 10 and 12 weeks from all groups were assessed. Standard histological examination of skin demonstrated a beneficial action of saffron in mice where saffron treatments were given both before and after the induction of skin
carcinogenesis. Saffron ingestion inhibited the formation of skin
papillomas in animals and simultaneously reduced their size. In conclusion, saffron inhibits DMBA-induced skin
carcinoma in mice when treated early. This may be due, at least in part, to the induction of cellular defense systems.