The Effect of Crosin on Expression of Interleukin 6 in Human Glioblastoma Cell Line

Abstract

Background: Crosin is one of the most important ingredients of saffron (the Iridaceae family) that has been emphasized in Iranian traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant cancers resistant to radiation and chemotherapy in adults. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect crosin on expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in human glioblastoma cell line. Methods: Human glioblastoma cell line (1321N1) was purchased from Pasteur Institute of Iran. Cell was grown in Dulbico’s modified essential media (DMEM) supplemented whit 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of crosin was obtained using MTT assay. Glioblastoma cell line was treated by different concentration of crosin (5, 10, 15 mM/ml) for 24 hours. Then, total RNA was isolated from cells and used for cDNA synthesis. Expression level of IL-6 was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Findings: The IC50 value of crosin against 1321N1 cells after 24 hours were determined as 53.3 mMol/ml. Moreover, the expression of IL-6 gene was downregulated by increasing of crosin concentration compare to the control group (P < 0.050). Conclusion: It was observed that crosin inhibited production of IL-6 in glioblastoma cells. In conclusion, the result suggested crosin as a potential therapeutic candidate for neuroinflammation in glioblastoma cancer.

Keywords

• glioblastoma
• interleukin-6
• crosin