17.4.8 Antitumor and Anti-Cancerous Activity
Seed extracts of safflower together with dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine have been
shown to surge the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in mouse CD117+ (c-kit)-derived DCs
and exhibit strong antitumor activity (Chang et al. 2011). The safflower seed oil has
been reported to contain the compound alkane-6,8-diols, that has been shown to
inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced tumor promotion in mouse
skin (Yasukawa et al. 1996).
The phenolic compounds from methanol extracts of safflower seeds have been
shown to exhibit strong cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependent manner against three
cancer cell lines including HepG2, MCF-7, and HeLa (Bae et al. 2002b). Acacetin
and luteolin found in safflower seeds have shown strong cytotoxic effects against in
MCF-7, HepG2, and HeLa cell lines (Bae et al. 2002b).
Herbal formulation, called Zhu-Xiang, consists of herbal extracts from ginseng
and C. tinctorius. Zhu-Xiang has been reported to treat the MDA-MB-231 breast
cancer cell and normal human mammary gland cell lines. Inhibitory effect of
Zhu-Xiang on cell proliferation has been found significantly greater as compared
to standard cytotoxic drugs cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and 5-fluorouracil. Also,
different concentrations have been reported to inhibit proliferation activity in solid
tumors (Loo et al. 2004). Furthermore, N-feruloylserotonin and N-( p-coumaroyl)
serotonin from safflower seeds have been reported to strongly inhibit melanin
production in Streptomyces bikiniensis and B16 melanoma cell lines (Roh et al.
2004).
17.4.9 Bone Protecting Activity
The loss in the bone mass can be a consequence of conditions including immobilization, calcium deficiency, endocrinological and nutritional changes, age and postmenopause. In postmenopausal osteoporosis, increased bone loss is proposed to be
the result of estrogen deficiency (Bae et al. 2002a). The safflower seed oil contains
high levels of the linoleic acid level, which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity,
correcting bone loss due to ovariectomy or estrogen deficiency and increased
intestinal absorption of calcium (Bae et al. 2002a).
In Korea and Japan, safflower seeds have long been used for preventing the onset
of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women (Cho et al. 2011). Seeds and extract of
safflower have been reported to stimulate the differentiation of bone-forming cells,
osteoblasts in bone fractures and found instrumental in speedy recovery and healing
in bone fracture incidents (Chung et al. 1999; Kim et al. 1998; Seo et al. 2000).
Seed powder of safflower contains many minerals especially calcium, potassium,
and magnesium and has been shown to effectively protect against the osteoporotic
process induced by ovariectomy in the rat model. Safflower seed powder exhibited
effective inhibition of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency (Bae et al. 2002a).
17 Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Seed
441
Seed extracts of safflower together with dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine have been
shown to surge the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in mouse CD117+ (c-kit)-derived DCs
and exhibit strong antitumor activity (Chang et al. 2011). The safflower seed oil has
been reported to contain the compound alkane-6,8-diols, that has been shown to
inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced tumor promotion in mouse
skin (Yasukawa et al. 1996).
The phenolic compounds from methanol extracts of safflower seeds have been
shown to exhibit strong cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependent manner against three
cancer cell lines including HepG2, MCF-7, and HeLa (Bae et al. 2002b). Acacetin
and luteolin found in safflower seeds have shown strong cytotoxic effects against in
MCF-7, HepG2, and HeLa cell lines (Bae et al. 2002b).
Herbal formulation, called Zhu-Xiang, consists of herbal extracts from ginseng
and C. tinctorius. Zhu-Xiang has been reported to treat the MDA-MB-231 breast
cancer cell and normal human mammary gland cell lines. Inhibitory effect of
Zhu-Xiang on cell proliferation has been found significantly greater as compared
to standard cytotoxic drugs cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and 5-fluorouracil. Also,
different concentrations have been reported to inhibit proliferation activity in solid
tumors (Loo et al. 2004). Furthermore, N-feruloylserotonin and N-( p-coumaroyl)
serotonin from safflower seeds have been reported to strongly inhibit melanin
production in Streptomyces bikiniensis and B16 melanoma cell lines (Roh et al.
2004).
17.4.9 Bone Protecting Activity
The loss in the bone mass can be a consequence of conditions including immobilization, calcium deficiency, endocrinological and nutritional changes, age and postmenopause. In postmenopausal osteoporosis, increased bone loss is proposed to be
the result of estrogen deficiency (Bae et al. 2002a). The safflower seed oil contains
high levels of the linoleic acid level, which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity,
correcting bone loss due to ovariectomy or estrogen deficiency and increased
intestinal absorption of calcium (Bae et al. 2002a).
In Korea and Japan, safflower seeds have long been used for preventing the onset
of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women (Cho et al. 2011). Seeds and extract of
safflower have been reported to stimulate the differentiation of bone-forming cells,
osteoblasts in bone fractures and found instrumental in speedy recovery and healing
in bone fracture incidents (Chung et al. 1999; Kim et al. 1998; Seo et al. 2000).
Seed powder of safflower contains many minerals especially calcium, potassium,
and magnesium and has been shown to effectively protect against the osteoporotic
process induced by ovariectomy in the rat model. Safflower seed powder exhibited
effective inhibition of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency (Bae et al. 2002a).
17 Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Seed
441