International Journal of PharmTech Research CODEN (USA): IJPRIF ISSN : 0974-4304 Vol.1, No.4, pp 1317-1321, Oct-Dec 2009 THE FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING AND THE LIPID PEROXIDATION INHIBITION OF CROCIN ISOLATED FROM KASHMIRI SAFFRON (CROCUS SATIVUS) OCCURRING IN NORTHERN PART OF INDIA Bakshi Hamid 1,2 *,Smitha Sam 1 ,Tajamul Islam 2 ,Priyam Singh 2 and Manik Sharma 2 1 Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Center Bhopal, India-462001. 2 Department of Cancer biology and Biotechnology, Bhoj College of science, Bhopal, India-462001. *Corres.author: hamid_bakshi@rediffmail.com, Cell No. 09826979751. ABSTRACT: Background: Kashmiri saffron is considered as a panacea for several disease conditions. The cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in several diseases and hence antioxidants have significant importance in disease management. This study elucidates the free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition of crocin from Crocus sativus. Methods: Free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation were evaluated by DPPH (1, 1- diphenyl 2- picryl hydrazyl) assay, FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay, Fe 2+ ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical scavenging. Results: The total crocin isolated from the Crocus sativus showed potent DPPH radical scavenging capacity. 0.1% of the total crocin showed 29.36% DPPH radical scavenging activity and, 0.5% showed 44.52% where as 1.0% showed 50.07% DPPH radical scavenging activity equivalent to 0.019% of trolox . The crocin at a concentration of 0.1% showed ferric reducing ability equivalent to 0.058% of trolox, for 1.0% ferric reducing ability was equivalent to 0.356% of trolox. The IC 50 value of crocin in inhibiting lipid peroxidation was 179 ± 6.7 where as the IC50 value of crocin for hydroxyl radical scavenging was 227 ± 3.8. It was considered statically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our preclinical studies demonstrate that crocin is effective in inhibiting free radical formation and also to scavenge the free radicals. Our data also suggest that the lipid peroxidation inhibiting effects of crocin induced by Fe 2+ ascorbate system and shows potential for treatment/or prevention . Keywords: Crocus Sativus, Crocin, Antioxidant, DPPH assay, FRAP assay INTRODUCTION Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in the cells by cellular metabolism and other exogenous environmental agents. They are generated by a process known as red ox cycling and are catalyzed by transition metals, such as Fe2+ and Cu2+ 1. In vivo, some of these ROS play positive roles such as energy production, phagocytosis, regulation of cell growth and intercellular signaling, or synthesis of biologically important compounds 2 . However, ROS may also be very damaging as they can induce oxidation of lipids, causing membrane damage, decreasing membrane fluidity, and leading to cancer via DNA mutation 3, 4 . A potent scavenger of these ROS may serves as a possible preventative against free radical mediated diseases 5 . Crocin, one of the active components of saffron, is a carotenoid pigment and has the structure of crocetin di-gentiobiose ester 6 . Crocin exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects in mice including inhibition of skin tumour growth 7 , improvement of learning behavior previously impaired by ethanol 8 , and prevention of long-term potentiation inhibition caused by ethanol in rat 8 , anti-hyperlipidemic effect 9 , and treatment of colon adenocarcinoma in rat 10 anti-atherosclerotic effects 11 . The aim of the present study is to assess the free radical scavenge and lipid per oxidation inhibition of crocin from Kashmiri saffron. Our results suggested that the crocin isolated from C.sativus exhibited significant in vitro antioxidant activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals Male Swiss albino mice 6-8 weeks of age and weighing 25 ± 2 g, were selected from our mouse colony. They were maintained in environmentally controlled conditions with free access to standard food (Sai Durga Foods, Bangalore.) and water. Animal experiments were carried out with the approval and guidelines of Institutional Animal Ethical Committee.