Picrocrocin, an apocarotenoid found in the flowers of Cochliobolus sativus. Picrocrocin shows anticancer effect. Picrocrocin exhibits growth inhibitory effects against SKMEL-2 human malignant melanoma cells[1].

Picrocrocin exerted growth inhibitory effects on the SK-MEL-2 melanoma cells. The IC50 of picrocrocin against the SK-MEL-2 cells was 20 μM at 24-h incubation. The antiproliferative activity of picrocrocin was due to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, picrocrocin enhanced the ROS levels and decreased the MMP levels of SK-MEL-2 cells. Finally, picrocrocin inhibited the JAK/STAT5 signalling pathway in the SK-MEL-2 melanoma cells[1].

[1]. Yu L, et al. Picrocrocin exhibits growth inhibitory effects against SKMEL- 2 human malignant melanoma cells by targeting JAK/ STAT5 signaling pathway, cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial mediated apoptosis. J BUON. 2018 Jul-Aug;23(4):1163-1168.