Reduction VEGF-A expression induced by saffron aqua extract with low frequency electromagnetic field in MCF-7 cell line

Background: Studies both invivo and invitro indicated anticancer and antitumor properties of saffron and its component against different human cancer cells which is wildly used as a drug to promote health and fight diseases from ancient time. Angiogenesis, formation of new blood vessels, is regulated by the balances of many stimulating and inhibiting factors. While physiological angiogenesis is under strike control, disruption of this control causes proliferation of a network of blood vessels penetrating into cancerous growth. One of the main factors which are involved in the process of angiogenesis in both physiologic and pathologic condition is VEGF-A. On the other hand, bio electromagnetic fields have been shown to be clinically beneficial in the mT amplitude range. The aim of this study was finding out if synergic effects of saffron aqueous extract and low-frequency electromagnetic field could decrease angiogenesis via reduction of VEGF-A gene expression. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, saffron extract obtained using lyophilized by freeze dryer. MCF-7 cells were grown in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS and incubated at 37°C with 5% CO2. After 24h cells were treated by saffron aqueous extract at concentration of 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml. 48 h after treatment all flasks exposed with electromagnetic field then total RNA extracted, cDNA synthesized using the sequence of target gene. Finally synthesized products analyzed by Real Time PCR to determine expression level of VEGF-A. The quantitative data analyzed by SPSS software. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Data analysis indicate inhibitory effect of saffron extract in concentration 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml on VEGF-A gene expression in MCF-7 cell line in compare with control. Most reduction in gene expression can be seen in the highest concentration of saffron extract (800 µg/ml) with 17% reduction on gene expression (P < 0.001), while there is no difference between 100 and 200 µg/ml (P > 0.05) but comparing to control group it is also fall noticeable with 11% and 12% respectively (P < 0.05). Synergic use of low frequency electromagnetic field (50Hz, 0.004 T) and saffron aqua extract shows reduction in concentration 100 to 800 µg/ml with 17%, 13%, 15% and 19% respectively and was significant at concentration of 800 µg/ml (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Results shows decrease in the expression of VEGF-A in the treated samples with saffron extract and low frequency electromagnetic field which may introduce promising treatment against malignant and tumor metastasis, although more researches needs to figure out its accurate mechanism.