Effect of Crocin and Crocetin Compared to Cyclophosphamide on the Expression Level of miRNA-16-1 in a B Cell Transformed with EBV Virus Cell Line.

Crocin and Crocetin are compounds that have shown promising therapeutic potentials in various medical contexts. To date, the effect of crocin and crocetin on the expression level of miRNA-16-1 in Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)-induced lymphoma has not been investigated. This research delved into a comparative analysis of the cytotoxic effects of crocin and crocetin compared to cyclophosphamide, the main drug used in the treatment of lymphoma and PTLD, on B-cell lymphoma infected with EBV (cell line CO 88BV59-1). Additionally, the study examines the changes in miRNA-16-1 expression following these treatments in this cell line. CO 88BV59-1 LCL cells were treated with crocin, crocetin (0.2 to 200 μM), and cyclophosphamide (0.05 to 50 μM) for 72 hours. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using resazurin and Annexin V/PI techniques, respectively. Additionally, the expression of miRNA-16-1-3p and miRNA-16-1-5p was determined using the Real-Time PCR method. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's multiple comparisons post-hoc test. Crocin and crocetin inhibited the proliferation and apoptosis caused by EBV-infected cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). The expression levels of miRNA-16-1-3p and miRNA-16-1-5p remained unchanged in cells treated with crocin and crocetin. The study found that the cytotoxic effect of Crocin, Crocetin, and Cyclophosphamide on CO 88BV59-1 LCL is independent of the expression level of miRNA-16-1. The results showed a reduction in cell survival and an increase in cell death.