Effect of Crocin on miRNA-15a expression in EBV infected transformed B cell

Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, cancer is still the main cause of death worldwide. Crocin, the major carotenoid in saffron, exhibits potent anti-tumor effects in breast, pancreas, and gastric tumors. However, the anti-lymphoma effects of crocin are still unclear, especially in B cell lymphomas. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of crocin on EBV-infected transformed B cell.

In this study, the effects of crocin on CO 88BV59-1 LCL – an Epstein‐Barr‐Virus (EBV) Infected Transformed B cell was examined. The cells were treated with crocin (0.2-200 µM), for 3 days. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using MTT, and flow cytometry techniques respectively. Also, miRNA-15a genes expression were determined by real-time PCR.

Crocin significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in EBV infected cell-line in a dose and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). There was no significant change in the expression of miRNA-15a3p and miRNA-15a5p in treated cells compared to untreated cells (P>0.05).

The results suggested that crocin can be considered for preclinical and also clinical testing in EBV-associated B cell lymphoma treatment. The results showed that due to the effect of crocin in reducing the survival and increasing apoptosis of lymphoma cells and also due to the lack of change in the expression of miRNA-15a, it can be considered as a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of EBV-associated B cell lymphoma.