Effect of saffron on cell colony formation and cellular nucleic acid and protein synthesis.

A concentrated extract of saffron was prepared from the flowers of Crocus sativis. The effect of this extract on the ability of HeLa cells to form colonies, and on cellular DNA, RNA and protein synthesis was examined. Incubation of cells with extract for 3 h resulted in significant inhibition of colony formation and cellular nucleic acid synthesis with 50% inhibition at concentrations of approximately 100-150 micrograms/ml. In contrast there was no inhibition of cellular protein synthesis at concentrations of extract as high as 400 micrograms/ml.