Amr Amin
UAE University, UAE
Title: Potential chemoprevention against hepatocellular carcinoma: how cells, animal models and machines get along just fine
Biography
Biography: Amr Amin
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The prognosis of patients with HCC is usually poor; hence, a novel approach against HCC is essential for a better therapeutic outcome. Saffron and its active constituents were reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. The aim of this study was to investigate chemopreventive action of crocin, one of the promising active constituents of saffron, against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer in rats, and the possible mechanisms by which crocin exerts its anti-tumor effects. Findings reported herein demonstrated the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties of crocin when administrated in DEN-treated rats. Additionally, crocin exhibited anti-inflammatory properties that inhibited NF-kB, among other inflammatory markers. According to our network analysis, NF-kB was identified as a regulatory hub, and therefore, a candidate therapeutic drug target. Taken together, our findings introduces crocin as a potent chemopreventive and therapeutic agent against HCC.