Effect of Saffron aqua Extract on Angiogenesis in Chick Chorioalantoic Membrane

Background: Studies confirmed anticancer properties of saffron extract. Angiogenesis, formation of new blood vessels which is necessary in many physiological stages and pathological events such as tumor growth. So it would be an effective strategy to inhibit angiogenesis to treat many cancers and metastasis. In this experimental study, effects of saffron on angiogenesis in chick chorioalantoic membrane (CAM) were investigated. Materials and Methods: Fifity ross fertilized eggs divided in 5 groups, including: control, sham exposed, experimental group 1, 2 and 3. In second day of incubation window was opened on eggs. In day 8 gelatin sponges contain gelatin and albumin was put on chorioalantoic membrane and was soaked with Saffron aqua extract in concentration 100, 400 and 800 µg/ml. In 12th day all cases were photographed by photo stereomicroscope. Numbers and lengths of vessels around the sponges were measured by Image J software. Data were analyzed with SPSS-16 in significant level p < 0.05. Results: According to data analysis, changes had no correlation on the average length of blood vessels in the first experimental group (41.5±5.5 mm), compared with the control group, (44.5±2.4 mm). While in the second and third experimental group (40.2±2.1 mm) and (38.4±3.8 mm) these changes were significant (p=0.001). On the other hand, the average number of blood vessels in the first experimental group (22.07±5.2) in compare with the control group (27.46±4.4) shows a significant reduction (p=0.02), this decline between the second (18.80±4.4) and third (15.87±3.8) experimental groups was significant at the level of p=0.001. Conclusion: Saffron extract has a dose dependent inhibitory effect on angiogenesis in chick chorioalantoic membrane.