The Studies About The Inhibitory Effects Of Crocins On A Lingual Carcinoma Cell Line

Background Cancer chemoprevention means to halt or reverse development and progression of cancer by administering synthetical or natural compounds. It is very important in prevention and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and includes primary prevention (intervention premalignant lesions) and secondary prevention (prevention of recurrent and second primary tumors). Retinoid analog (Vitamin A and its derivatives) is one of the most effective candidates in cancer chemoprevention of OSCC. Unfortunately, long-term application of these Vitamin A derivatives usually has severe clinical toxicity. In view of this limitation, we proposed to find agents that have fewer side effects as substitution of retinoids in OSCC chemoprevention. This subject focused on the traditional Chinese medicine, and saffron (Stigma Croci), an agent that is similar with Vitamin A derivatives in structure was selected as the research topic. As yet, no research about the effects of saffron on OSCC and its mechanisms has been reported.