Antiangiogenesis effect of saffron extract on rat aortic ring model

Saffron (Crocus sativius L.) has various pharmacological effects. Angiogenesis for embryogenesis and in many physiological and pathological events such as tumor growth is essential. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of saffron in aortic rings of Wistar rats. In this experimental study, aorta of Wistar rat cut into pieces 1 mm and were cultured in the collagen matrix extracted. After observation the first vascular sprouts from aortic rings on the third day, samples were divided into 5 groups: control, Laboratory control (treated with PBS), experimental group 1 (treatment with aqueous extract of saffron concentration 150 μg/ml), experimental group 2 (200μg/ml), and experimental group 3 (300 μg/ml). Angiogenesis was assessed with invert microscope 24 h after treatment and all cases were photographed. Numbers and the length of vessels were measured by Image J software. The average number and the length of vessels in control group compared with the laboratory control samples showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The average length and number of blood vessels in experimental group 1 compared with control group showed no significant changes (P>0.05), but in the experimental group 2 and 3 showed a significant decrease (P<0.05). The aqueous extract of saffron has control effect in a dose dependent inhibition of angiogenesis. Therefore, regarding to the side effects of chemical drugs, the use of medicinal plants such as saffron with minimal effects can be effective in inhibiting angiogenesis.