Insights & Discussion
Saffron supplementation significantly decreased oxidative stress markers and has beneficial effects in reducing oxidative stress.
For this analysis, we sought to evaluate the impact of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and prooxidant/antioxidant balance. To do this, we conducted an extensive search across databases such as PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, and Google Scholar until December 2022. Our search criteria included randomized controlled trial studies examining the effects of oral saffron supplements on the aforementioned oxidative stress markers. The resulting data were pooled using a random effects model to analyze the results, and we assessed heterogeneity using the Cochrane values. We incorporated 16 cases into our meta-analysis, which comprised of subjects in both saffron and control groups.
In our results, we found that saffron consumption resulted in significant reductions in malondialdehyde and total oxidant status levels. Furthermore, it led to a considerable increase in total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase - all of which are markers indicating oxidative stress. More specifically, within studies where the daily dosage of saffron was greater than 30 mg, and in studies lasting less than 12 weeks, we noted a significant reduction in malondialdehyde levels, especially in participants under 50 years old. Our study faced limitations, including the geographical limitation of the studies being from Iran, the varying nature of the diseases included, and potential confounding factors such as smoking, physical activity, and diet.
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Daily consumption of pecans for a month can help protect against post-meal oxidative stress in aging adults.
2023 Journal of Medicinal Food A 4-Week Pecan-Enriched Diet Improves Postprandial Lipid Peroxidation in Aging Adults Cogan B, Pearson RC, Jenkins NT, Paton CM, Cooper JA
Randomised Controlled Trial Oxidative Stress Pecan Postprandial Oxidative Stress
The abstract outlines a randomized, parallel, controlled trial where 41 healthy adults aged between 50 and 75 were split into two groups. One group consumed 68 grams of pecans every day for four weeks, while the other group avoided all nuts. Blood samples were obtained from all participants before and after the intervention during fasting and at intervals of 30, 60, and 120 minutes after a meal high in saturated fats. Changes were observed in various parameters, including malondialdehyde - a marker for lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glucose, and insulin levels.
The study revealed no significant variances in fasting or post-meal TAC, glucose, or insulin for the pecan consumers compared to the control group. However, there was a noticeable tendency towards a change in fasting lipid peroxidation driven by a minor reduction for the pecan group compared to the control group. Moreover, post-meal lipid peroxidation was suppressed in the pecan group, distinctly different from the control group's results. These outcomes propose that a diet enriched in pecans for one month can provide protection against post-meal oxidative stress in older adults.
Crocin, a compound derived from saffron, has shown considerable potential in hindering tumor growth and improving immune status, across various malignant tumors.
2023 PeerJ Advances on the anti-tumor mechanisms of the carotenoid Crocin Bao X, Hu J, Zhao Y, Jia R, Zhang H, Xia L
Review Article Anti-Tumour Breast Cancer Cervical Cancer
The methodology for the study involved an in-depth review of modern pharmacological studies that have analyzed the therapeutic effects of crocin, a natural compound that can be extracted from saffron. Various anti-tumor effects were assessed including the induction of tumor cell death (apoptosis), restrictions on tumor cell proliferation, and potential barriers to invasion and metastasis of these cells. The potential for enhancement of sensitivity to chemotherapy and improvement of immune status were also examined.
Following the review, the study revealed that crocin has significant anti-tumor properties. It showed that this natural compound can induce apoptosis in tumor cells, inhibit their expansion and progression, and even prevent their invasiveness and metastasis. Furthermore, crocin demonstrated the potential to enhance the body’s responsiveness to chemotherapy and help boost the immune system. These effects were observed across a range of different malignant tumors, including stomach, liver, cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Theabrownin from dark tea can potentially reverse insulin resistance and regulate glycolipid metabolism, with longer fermented samples showing greater effects.
2023 Nutrients Theabrownin from Dark Tea Ameliorates Insulin Resistance via Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Modulating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt Pathway in HepG2 Cells Liu J, Wang X, Zhu Y, Deng H, Huang X, Jayavanth P, et al.
Experimental Study Insulin Resistance Oxidative Stress Theabrownin
The study focused on TB1 and TB2, theabrownin isolated from dark tea. TB1 was fermented for 7 days whereas TB2 was fermented for 14 days. The research used HepG2 cells for the experiment. Various techniques such as Western blot and real-time PCR experiments were employed to measure the effects of TB on oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and glycolipid regulation, which are key components of insulin resistance.
The results suggest TB can significantly improve oxidative stress conditions by enhancing mitochondrial function. TB unveiled its potential in improving glycogen synthesis and glucose consumption. Furthermore, TB was found to inhibit harmful processes like gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis via the regulation of various enzymes and proteins. The researchers investigated this by focusing on a signaling pathway (IRS-1/PI3K/Akt). Verification of the effects of TB on glycolipid metabolism was done using a PI3K inhibitor, highlighting a positive correlation between PI3K activation and TB's activity. Notably, the experiment showed TB2, which was fermented longer, was more effective in improving insulin resistance.
The compounds apocarotenoids and carotenoids found in saffron extract could potentially interact with multiple targets, helping to manage the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.
2023 Medicine Network pharmacology-based strategic prediction and target identification of apocarotenoids and carotenoids from standardized Kashmir saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract against polycystic ovary syndrome Tiwari A, Modi SJ, Girme A, Hingorani L
Network Pharmacology PCOS Saffron
The study utilized a network pharmacology-based approach to identify the possible therapeutic pathways for apocarotenoids and carotenoids in Crocus sativus on polycystic ovary syndrome. The Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array detector (UHPLC-PDA) standardized stigma-based Crocus sativus extract (CSE) was analyzed for these phytochemicals.
Information about polycystic ovary syndrome related genes was collected from a knowledge database and networks were established between these targets and Crocus sativus extract phytochemicals to understand its mechanism of action.
Through network analysis and screening conditions, the study found four significant targets, including serine/threonine kinase 1, signal transducer and activator of transcription, and two types of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of genes and genomes analysis showed that MAP kinase and serine-threonine pathways were crucial targets in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Further molecular docking studies were conducted, and carotenoids apocarotenoids were assessed for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity predictions. Elements like crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal showed strong binding affinity for the identified targets. This analysis also revealed that these compounds had excellent bioavailability and could cross the blood-brain barrier without demonstrating toxicity.
In summary, the study demonstrated that these phytochemicals could act on the identified targets, thus pointing towards the potentiality of Crocus sativus extract in managing polycystic ovary syndrome.
Saffron shows promising improvements in dealing with women's health issues related to labor, childbirth, premenstrual syndrome and menopause.
2023 Modern Care Journal Efficacy of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Premenstrual Syndrome, Labor, Childbirth, and Menopause: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials Irani M, Rahmanian A, Soltani N
Systematic Review Labour Menopause Premenstrual Syndrome
For the methodology, the investigators implemented a systematic review by utilizing the PICO process to explore various databases like PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, among others, until February 2023. A strategically designed search was conducted using a set of keywords related to saffron and women's health conditions. From a pool of 164 articles, 20 randomized controlled trials that met the minimum score based on the Jadad scale were included in the study.
In terms of results, the investigation revealed that saffron holds positive impacts on labor and childbirth, such as enhancing Bishop's score, fostering labor progression, and reducing labor pain intensity and fatigue. Moreover, it helps with episiotomy healing and ameliorates mood swings and psychological symptoms associated with menopause and premenstrual syndrome. The study also acknowledges some influence of saffron on postpartum depression.
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