Insights & Discussion
Saffron and its components, crocin and crocetin, show potential in treating various eye disorders, including inflammation, macular edema, and glaucoma.
Using key search terms like "eye disorders" and "saffron", the authors conducted a systematic review of various literature databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Their search included all types of studies, with no strict inclusion criteria, covering clinical studies, in vivo and in vitro studies. They extracted data from each study for qualitative analysis.
The review started with 78 articles, narrowed down to 29 relevant ones. Nine articles were clinical trials, and 20 articles examined the impact of saffron on cellular and molecular aspects of eye disorders.
Through their analysis, researchers found that saffron protects photoreceptor cells from light-induced damage, decreases glucose levels in diabetic mice, and mitigates the pro-inflammatory response in retinal cells. They reported improved visual function in age-related macular edema and lowered intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Furthermore, crocin, one of the saffron's main ingredients, was found to enhance the best corrected visual acuity and decrease central macular thickness in patients suffering from diabetic maculopathy.
Discover Related Insights
The traditional Chinese medicine prescription combination of Chrysanthemi Flos, Cassiae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma presents potential for treating retinal diseases.
2024 Traditional Medicine Research Exploring a novel traditional Chinese medicine prescription containing Chrysanthemi Flos for retinal diseases: an integrated strategy of data mining and network pharmacology Zhang JX, Zhang KL, Chang XW, Gu JF, Wei SB, Zhu BY, et al.
Data Mining Chrysanthemum Retinitis Pigmentosa
Methodology: The researchers employed data mining to discern a new traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription against retinal diseases and explore its medication rule. This was followed by constructing a network of TCMs, core ingredients, core targets, and core pathways using network pharmacology. The binding ability between core active ingredients and core targets was then verified through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation techniques.
Discussion: The novel TCM prescription screened in this study bears great potential in retinal diseases treatment through a unique mechanism of action. This mechanism involves TCM prescriptions that possess clearing heat and supplementing activities, associated with liver and lung meridians. The mechanism was found to act by modulating several core targets implicated in multiple core pathways such as the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, among others. This potentially inhibits the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and retinal neovascularization and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells. This improves retinal structural impairment and can have a significant impact on the treatment of retinal diseases.
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.
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.
Saffron supplementation significantly decreased oxidative stress markers and has beneficial effects in reducing oxidative stress.
2023 Frontiers in Medicine Effect of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress markers (MDA, TAC, TOS, GPx, SOD, and pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance): An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials Abedi A, Ghobadi H, Sharghi A, Iranpour S, Fazlzadeh M, Aslani MR
Systematic Review Oxidative Stress Saffron
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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