Introduction: Granulosa cells are responsible for androgens and oestrogens synthesis. These nurse cells are essential for development and survival of oocyte. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as a member of the Iridaceae is a well-known plant in traditional Persian medicine which can stimulate uterine contraction and increase spasmodic action on muscles fibers. The aim of this study was evaluation the effect of crocin as a main constituent of saffron on mice granulosa cell proliferation.
Methods: In an in vitro experiment NMRI mice (21-25 days) were killed with cervical dislocation. Then the granulosa cells were isolated from ovaries and cultivated. The morphology of granulosa cells analyzed with H&E (Haematoxylin and Eosin) staining. Cells were treated at different dosage of crocin (5, 50, 500, 1000, 5000 µg/ml) for 72 h. MTT assay was used for assessment cell viability.
Results: H&E staining showed the granulosa cell nuclei as purple and the cytoplasmic components as pink. Our results demonstrated that crocin exposed group (5, 50, 500,1000 µg/ml) indicated no significant proliferative effect as comparison with untreated cells (P≥0.05). In other hand crocin in 5000 µg/ml concentration exhibited significant cell toxicity (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that crocin in lower concentrations (up to 1000 µg/ml) accomplished proliferative effect on granulosa cells; meanwhile, upper concentrations of crocin (5000 µg/ml) induced valuable toxicity on exposed cells. Collectively, crocin possess conflicting impact and can influence steroidogenesis and level of LH and FSH in granulosa cells.