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Patel KS, Dharamsi A, Priya M, Jain S, Mandal V, Girme A, Modi SJ, Hingorani L. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract attenuates chronic scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment, amyloid beta, and neurofibrillary tangles accumulation in rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 326:117898. [PMID: 38341114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Crocus sativus L. known as saffron, is a popular food condiment with a high aroma, deep colour, and long and thick threads (stigmas) cultivated in Iran, Morocco, Spain, Italy, China, Japan, France, Turkey, and India. In 'Ayurveda', saffron is acknowledged for its immunostimulant, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, liver tonic, nervine tonic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, febrifuge, sedative, relaxant, and anxiolytic activities. The renowned Persian physician and philosopher, Avicenna, delineated saffron as an antidepressant, hypnotic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, bronchodilator, and aphrodisiac in his book, the Canon of Medicine. Within traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM), saffron is characterized as a mood elevator and a rejuvenator for the body and senses. Further, the ethnopharmacological evidence indicates that saffron has shown an effect against neurodegenerative disorders namely, dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's with its bioactive constituents i.e., carotenoids and apocarotenoids. AIM The present study aimed to investigate the potential of standardized (Kashmir Saffron, India) Crocus sativus extract (CSE) in chronic scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment, amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque, and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) accumulation in rat brains by targeting AChE inhibition and scopolamine mechanistic effect. METHODS The experimental animals were divided into six groups: group 1: normal control, group 2: scopolamine, group 3,4 and 5 rivastigmine tartrate, CSE (p.o. 10 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg) respectively. Each treatment group received scopolamine after 20 min of dosing, till 4 weeks. The effects of different treatments on learning, acquisition, and reversal memory were performed using a Morris water maze test. In addition to behavioral assessments, biochemical parameters such as AChE, IL-6, and antioxidants were measured in isolated brains. Histological observations were also conducted to assess the presence of Aβ plaques and NFT. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to explore the potential AChE inhibitory activity of the bioactive constituents of standardized CSE. RESULTS Scopolamine produces memory impairment, and its chronic administration forms Aβ plaque and NFT in rat brains. Supplementation with CSE in presence of scopolamine has shown remarkable effects on behavioural activity, special acquisition, and reversal memory. The CSE has also shown promising effects on AChE inhibition and antioxidant activity. The results of the docking study also indicate that trans-crocetin, i.e., a biologically active metabolite of Crocins, has strong AChE inhibitory activity, supported by an in vivo animal experiment. CONCLUSION Supplementation with CSE significantly attenuates the formation of Aβ plaque and NFT in the hippocampus at a dose of 20 mg/kg per day. In addition, CSE also counters scopolamine-induced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal S Patel
- Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India.
| | - Abhay Dharamsi
- Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India.
| | - Madhu Priya
- Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India.
| | - Sanskar Jain
- Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India.
| | - Vishal Mandal
- Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India.
| | - Aboli Girme
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
| | | | - Lal Hingorani
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
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Bastani S, Vahedian V, Rashidi M, Mir A, Mirzaei S, Alipourfard I, Pouremamali F, Nejabati H, Kadkhoda J, Maroufi NF, Akbarzadeh M. An evaluation on potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocin. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113297. [PMID: 35738178 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocin, an active ingredient derived from saffron, is one of the herbal components that has recently been considered by researchers. Crocin has been shown to have many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and therefore can be used to treat various diseases. It has been shown that Crocin has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease. In addition, the role of this substance in COVID-19 pandemic has been identified. In this review article, we tried to have a comprehensive review of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocin in different diseases and different tissues. In conclusion, Crocin may be helpful in pathological conditions that are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Bastani
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahid Vahedian
- Cancer Biology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine Institute of Biotechnology (FMB-IBTEC) Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Amirabbas Mir
- Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of Kashan, P.O. Box 87317-51167, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iraj Alipourfard
- Institutitue of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection - Faculty of Natural Sciences - University of Silesia - Katowice - Poland
| | - Farhad Pouremamali
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Nejabati
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jamileh Kadkhoda
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Fathi Maroufi
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Maryam Akbarzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Stekic A, Zeljkovic M, Zaric Kontic M, Mihajlovic K, Adzic M, Stevanovic I, Ninkovic M, Grkovic I, Ilic TV, Nedeljkovic N, Dragic M. Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation Ameliorates Cognitive Deficit and Attenuates Neuroinflammation via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Alzheimer’s-Like Disease Model. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:889983. [PMID: 35656538 PMCID: PMC9152158 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.889983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration implies progressive neuronal loss and neuroinflammation further contributing to pathology progression. It is a feature of many neurological disorders, most common being Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive stimulation which modulates excitability of stimulated brain areas through magnetic pulses. Numerous studies indicated beneficial effect of rTMS in several neurological diseases, including AD, however, exact mechanism are yet to be elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), an rTMS paradigm, on behavioral, neurochemical and molecular level in trimethyltin (TMT)-induced Alzheimer’s-like disease model. TMT acts as a neurotoxic agent targeting hippocampus causing cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation, replicating behavioral and molecular aspects of AD. Male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups–controls, rats subjected to a single dose of TMT (8 mg/kg), TMT rats subjected to iTBS two times per day for 15 days and TMT sham group. After 3 weeks, we examined exploratory behavior and memory, histopathological and changes on molecular level. TMT-treated rats exhibited severe and cognitive deficit. iTBS-treated animals showed improved cognition. iTBS reduced TMT-induced inflammation and increased anti-inflammatory molecules. We examined PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway which is involved in regulation of apoptosis, cell growth and learning and memory. We found significant downregulation of phosphorylated forms of Akt and mTOR in TMT-intoxicated animals, which were reverted following iTBS stimulation. Application of iTBS produces beneficial effects on cognition in of rats with TMT-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration and that effect could be mediated via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which could candidate this protocol as a potential therapeutic approach in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjela Stekic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Zeljkovic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Zaric Kontic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Mihajlovic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Adzic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Stevanovic
- Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Ninkovic
- Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Grkovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tihomir V. Ilic
- Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nadezda Nedeljkovic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milorad Dragic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Milorad Dragic,
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Fernández-Albarral JA, Martínez-López MA, Marco EM, de Hoz R, Martín-Sánchez B, San Felipe D, Salobrar-García E, López-Cuenca I, Pinazo-Durán MD, Salazar JJ, Ramírez JM, López-Gallardo M, Ramírez AI. Is Saffron Able to Prevent the Dysregulation of Retinal Cytokines Induced by Ocular Hypertension in Mice? J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214801. [PMID: 34768320 PMCID: PMC8584889 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokine- and chemokine-mediated signalling is involved in the neuroinflammatory process that leads to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage in glaucoma. Substances with anti-inflammatory properties could decrease these cytokines and chemokines and thus prevent RGC death. The authors of this study analysed the anti-inflammatory effect of a hydrophilic saffron extract standardized to 3% crocin content, focusing on the regulation of cytokine and chemokine production, in a mouse model of unilateral laser-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). We demonstrated that following saffron treatment, most of the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and fractalkine were unaffected in response to laser-induced OHT in both the OHT eye and its contralateral eye. Only IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the OHT eye one day after laser induction compared with the control group. These results differed from those observed in animals subjected to unilateral OHT and not treated with saffron, where changes in cytokine levels occurred in both eyes. Therefore, saffron extract regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines, VEGF, and fractalkine induced by increasing intraocular pressure (IOP), protecting the retina from inflammation. These results indicate that saffron could be beneficial in glaucoma by helping to reduce the inflammatory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A. Fernández-Albarral
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.F.-A.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (I.L.-C.); (J.J.S.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Miguel A. Martínez-López
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo UCM 951579, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.M.-L.); (B.M.-S.); (D.S.F.)
| | - Eva M. Marco
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de CC. Biológicas, Fisiología y Microbiología, Grupo UCM 951579, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.F.-A.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (I.L.-C.); (J.J.S.); (J.M.R.)
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Oftalmología y ORL, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Martín-Sánchez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo UCM 951579, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.M.-L.); (B.M.-S.); (D.S.F.)
| | - Diego San Felipe
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo UCM 951579, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.M.-L.); (B.M.-S.); (D.S.F.)
| | - Elena Salobrar-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.F.-A.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (I.L.-C.); (J.J.S.); (J.M.R.)
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Oftalmología y ORL, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.F.-A.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (I.L.-C.); (J.J.S.); (J.M.R.)
| | - María D. Pinazo-Durán
- Ophthalmic Research Unit “Santiago Grisolía”—FISABIO and Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmobiology Unit, University of Valencia, 46017 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Juan J. Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.F.-A.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (I.L.-C.); (J.J.S.); (J.M.R.)
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Oftalmología y ORL, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.F.-A.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (I.L.-C.); (J.J.S.); (J.M.R.)
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Oftalmología y ORL, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell López-Gallardo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo UCM 951579, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.A.M.-L.); (B.M.-S.); (D.S.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.-G.); (A.I.R.)
| | - Ana I. Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.F.-A.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (I.L.-C.); (J.J.S.); (J.M.R.)
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Oftalmología y ORL, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.L.-G.); (A.I.R.)
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Therapeutic potentials of crocin in medication of neurological disorders. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 145:111739. [PMID: 32916219 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurological sicknesses are serious, multifactorial, debilitating disorders that may cause neurodegeneration. Neuroprotection is the protection of the structure and capacity of neurons from affronts emerging from cell injuries instigated by an assortment of specialists or neurodegenerative diseases. Various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and epilepsy, afflict many people worldwide, with increasing age representing the leading risk factor. Crocin is a natural carotenoid compound which was found to have therapeutic potentials in the management of the neurological disease. In this review, we focused on the restorative capabilities of Crocin as a neuroprotective agent. The general neuroprotective impact and the various conceivable basic components identified with Crocin have been examined. In light of the substantial proof indicating the neuro-pharmacological viability of Crocin to different exploratory standards, it is concluded that Crocin exerts direct antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities by multiple signaling pathways. Besides, Crocin was found to elevate dopamine level in the brain during the experimental model of Parkinson's disease. Thus, this compound has been demonstrated to be a promising option for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, with few adverse effects. It ought to be further considered as a potential contender for neuro-therapeutics, concentrating on the mechanistic and clinical evidence for its effects.
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Hashemzaei M, Mamoulakis C, Tsarouhas K, Georgiadis G, Lazopoulos G, Tsatsakis A, Shojaei Asrami E, Rezaee R. Crocin: A fighter against inflammation and pain. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 143:111521. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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