Title
Safranal Inhibits HeLa Cell Viability by Perturbing the Reassembly Potential of Microtubules
Author
Sanith Cheriyamundath, Sinjan Choudhary, Manu Lopus
Year
2018
Journal
Phytotherapy Research
Abstract
Saffron, a spice from Crocus sativus, has been known for its health benefits and medicinal properties. Safranal is a component of saffron and is known for its antioxidant and anticancer properties. In this study, we elucidated a possible tubulin-targeted antiproliferative mechanism of action of safranal. In vitro, the compound perturbed secondary structure of tubulin without altering net microtubule polymer mass. It inhibited HeLa cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, with minimal damage to cellular microtubules. However, it strongly inhibited recovery of microtubule network after cold-induced disassembly, indicating its ability to interfere with the nucleation potential of tubulin. Further, as the acetylation pattern of the safranal-treated microtubules revealed, unlike many tubulin-targeted agents, the compound did not appear to induce persistent stabilization of microtubules. Our data shows an unusual, tubulin-targeted antiproliferative mechanism of safranal.
Instrument
J-810
Keywords
Circular dichroism, Secondary structure, Chemical stability, Biochemistry