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Pourmousavi L, Asadi RH, Zehsaz F, Jadidi RP. Potential therapeutic effects of crocin. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00210-024-03131-6. [PMID: 38758225 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03131-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Crocin, a natural bioactive compound derived from saffron (Crocus sativus) and other Crocus genera, has gained significant attention recently due to its potential therapeutic properties. The multifaceted nature of crocin's biological effects has piqued the interest of researchers and health enthusiasts, prompting further investigations into its mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications. This review article comprehensively explores the emerging evidence supporting crocin's role as a promising ally in protecting against metabolic disorders. The review covers the molecular mechanisms underlying crocin's beneficial effects and highlights its potential applications in preventing and treating diverse pathological conditions. Understanding the mechanisms through which crocin exerts its protective effects could advance scientific knowledge and offer potential avenues for developing novel therapeutic interventions. As we uncover the potential of crocin as a valuable ally in the fight against disorders, it becomes evident that nature's palette holds remarkable solutions for enhancing our health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laleh Pourmousavi
- Department of Sport Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Farzad Zehsaz
- Department of Sport Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
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Kouchaki E, Rafiei H, Ghaderi A, Azadchehr MJ, Safa F, Omidian K, Khodabakhshi A, Vahid F, Rezapoor-Kafteroodi B, Banafshe HR, Safa N. Effects of crocin on inflammatory biomarkers and mental health status in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 83:105454. [PMID: 38306888 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS), as a demyelinating disease correlated with inflammation and oxidative stress, affects the central nervous system and causes a wide range of complications, including psychiatric disorders. Considering the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties associated with the bioactive components of saffron, such as crocin (trans-crocetin bis(β-d-gentiobiosyl) ester), and their potential impact on ameliorating psychiatric symptoms, our study aimed to investigate the effect of crocin on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and mental health, e.g., depression and anxiety in individuals with MS. METHOD Patients with MS were randomized into two groups, taking either 15 mg crocin tablets twice a day (n = 25; 30 mg/day) or placebo tablets (n = 25) for 8 weeks. The valid and reliable Beck depression and anxiety scale questionnaire was recorded, and fasting blood samples were collected to measure biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) at baseline and week 8 following the intervention. RESULTS The data analysis using ANCOVA showed that supplementation with crocin for 8 weeks significantly lowered hs-CRP levels (p-value= 0.01). In addition, within-group comparisons showed crocin significantly decreased anxiety (p-value= 0.01). However, crocin did not affect serum MDA and NO after 8 weeks of intervention. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that crocin may keep promise in attenuating inflammation, evidenced by reducing hs-CRP in patients with MS. However, supplementation for 8 weeks may not be sufficient to improve mental health, and future clinical studies with higher sample sizes and various doses and durations are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Kouchaki
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hossein Rafiei
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Amir Ghaderi
- Department of Addiction Studies, School of Medical and Clinical Research Development Unit-Matini/Kargarnejad Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | | | - Fateme Safa
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Kosar Omidian
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Adeleh Khodabakhshi
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Farhad Vahid
- Nutrition and Health Group, Department of Precision Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | | | - Hamid-Reza Banafshe
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Nasim Safa
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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Orellana-Urzúa S, Briones-Valdivieso C, Chichiarelli S, Saso L, Rodrigo R. Potential Role of Natural Antioxidants in Countering Reperfusion Injury in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Stroke. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1760. [PMID: 37760064 PMCID: PMC10525378 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke and acute myocardial infarction are leading causes of mortality worldwide. The latter accounts for approximately 9 million deaths annually. In turn, ischemic stroke is a significant contributor to adult physical disability globally. While reperfusion is crucial for tissue recovery, it can paradoxically exacerbate damage through oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and cell death. Therefore, it is imperative to explore diverse approaches aimed at minimizing ischemia/reperfusion injury to enhance clinical outcomes. OS primarily arises from an excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or decreased endogenous antioxidant potential. Natural antioxidant compounds can counteract the injury mechanisms linked to ROS. While promising preclinical results, based on monotherapies, account for protective effects against tissue injury by ROS, translating these models into human applications has yielded controversial evidence. However, since the wide spectrum of antioxidants having diverse chemical characteristics offers varied biological actions on cell signaling pathways, multitherapy has emerged as a valuable therapeutic resource. Moreover, the combination of antioxidants in multitherapy holds significant potential for synergistic effects. This study was designed with the aim of providing an updated overview of natural antioxidants suitable for preventing myocardial and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Orellana-Urzúa
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile;
| | | | - Silvia Chichiarelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ramón Rodrigo
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile;
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Zhang L, Yong YY, Deng L, Wang J, Law BYK, Hu ML, Wu JM, Yu L, Wong VKW, Yu CL, Qin DL, Zhou XG, Wu AG. Therapeutic potential of Polygala saponins in neurological diseases. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 108:154483. [PMID: 36260972 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are many types of neurological diseases with complex etiologies. At present, most clinical drugs can only relieve symptoms but cannot cure these diseases. Radix Polygalae, a famous traditional Chinese medicine from the root of plants of the genus Polygala, has the traditional effect of treating insomnia, forgetfulness, and palpitation and improving intelligence and other symptoms of neurological diseases. Saponins are important bioactive components of plants of the genus Polygala and exhibit neuroprotective effects. PURPOSE This review aimed to summarize the traditional use of Polygala species and discuss the latest phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological findings, mainly with regard to Polygala saponins in the treatment of neurological disorders. METHODS Literature was searched and collected using databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, CNKI, and Google Scholar. The search terms used included "Polygala", "saponins", "neurological diseases", "Alzheimer's disease", "toxicity", etc., and combinations of these keywords. A total of 1202 papers were retrieved until August 2022, and we included 135 of these papers on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and other fields. RESULTS This literature review mainly reports on the traditional use of the Polygala genus and prescriptions containing Radix Polygalae in neurological diseases. Phytochemical studies have shown that plants of the genus Polygala mainly include saponins, flavonoids, oligosaccharide esters, alkaloids, coumarins, lignans, flavonoids, etc. Among them, saponins are the majority. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Polygala saponins have neuroprotective effects on a variety of neurological diseases. Its mechanism of action involves autophagic degradation of misfolded proteins, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antioxidative stress and so on. Toxicological studies have shown that Polygala saponins trigger gastrointestinal toxicity, and honey processing and glycosyl disruption of Polygala saponins can effectively ameliorate its gastrointestinal side effect. CONCLUSION Polygala saponins are the major bioactive components in plants of the genus Polygala that exhibit therapeutic potential in various neurological diseases. This review provides directions for the future study of Polygala saponins and references for the clinical use of prescriptions containing Radix Polygalae for the treatment of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Yong
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Lan Deng
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Betty Yuen-Kwan Law
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR 99078, PR. China
| | - Meng-Ling Hu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Jian-Ming Wu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Lu Yu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Vincent Kam-Wai Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR 99078, PR. China
| | - Chong-Lin Yu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China
| | - Da-Lian Qin
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China.
| | - Xiao-Gang Zhou
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China.
| | - An-Guo Wu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Materia Medica, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR. China.
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Salem M, Shaheen M, Borjac J. Crocin suppresses inflammation-induced apoptosis in rmTBI mouse model via modulation of Nrf2 transcriptional activity. PHARMANUTRITION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phanu.2022.100308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Boozari M, Hosseinzadeh H. Crocin molecular signaling pathways at a glance: A comprehensive review. Phytother Res 2022; 36:3859-3884. [PMID: 35989419 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Crocin is a hydrophilic carotenoid that is synthesized in the flowers of the Crocus genus. Numerous in vitro and in vivo research projects have been published about the biological and pharmacological properties and toxicity of crocin. Crocin acts as a memory enhancer, anxiolytic, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, neuroprotective, and so on. Here, we introduce an updated and comprehensive review of crocin molecular mechanisms based on previously examined and mentioned in the literature. Different studies confirmed the significant effect of crocin to control pathological conditions, including oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. The neuroprotective effect of crocin could be related to the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Notch, and cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein signaling pathways. The crocin also protects the cardiovascular system through the inhibitory effect on toll-like receptors. The regulatory effect of crocin on PI3K/AKT/mTOR, AMP-activated protein kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathways can play an effective role in the treatment of metabolic disorders. The crocin has anticancer activity through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK, vascular endothelial growth factor, Wnt/β-catenin, and Janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription suppression. Also, the nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 and p53 signaling pathway activation may be effective in the anticancer effect of crocin. Finally, among signaling pathways regulated by crocin, the most important ones seem to be those related to the regulatory effect on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motahareh Boozari
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseinzadeh
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Shahbaz K, Chang D, Zhou X, Low M, Seto SW, Li CG. Crocins for Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Current Evidence. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:825842. [PMID: 35991882 PMCID: PMC9388830 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.825842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocins (CRs) and the related active constituents derived from Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) have demonstrated protective effects against cerebral ischemia and ischemic stroke, with various bioactivities including neuroprotection, anti-neuroinflammation, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protection. Among CRs, crocin (CR) has been shown to act on multiple mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in ischemic stroke, including mitochondrial apoptosis, nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of B cells pathway, S100 calcium-binding protein B, interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A. CR is generally safe and well-tolerated. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that CR has poor bioavailability and needs to convert to crocetin (CC) in order to cross the blood-brain barrier. Clinical studies have shown the efficacy of saffron and CR in treating various conditions, including metabolic syndrome, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and coronary artery disease. There is evidence supporting CR as a treatment for ischemic stroke, although further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Shahbaz
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kiran Shahbaz, ; Chung Guang Li,
| | - Dennis Chang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Xian Zhou
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Mitchell Low
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Sai Wang Seto
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- Reserach Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chung Guang Li
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kiran Shahbaz, ; Chung Guang Li,
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Crocin Protects Malathion-Induced Striatal Biochemical Deficits by Inhibiting Apoptosis and Increasing α-Synuclein in Rats' Striatum. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:983-993. [PMID: 35274200 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-01990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Long-term exposure to organophosphates might result in neurodegenerative diseases, comprising Parkinson's disease. Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide with high neurotoxicity. Oxidative stress, apoptosis, and α-synuclein accumulation are important underlying mechanisms in Parkinson's disease. According to studies, crocin, an active constituent of saffron, has anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Thus, the effect of crocin on malathion-induced striatal biochemical deficits in rats was investigated in this study. Six groups of male Wistar rats were used: 1. control (normal saline); 2. malathion (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.); 3. crocin (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) + malathion; 4. levodopa (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) + malathion; 5. crocin (40 mg/kg/day, i.p.); and 6. polyethylene glycol (PEG) (vehicle of levodopa) groups. The drugs were administered for 28 days. The amounts of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspases 3, 8, and 9 proteins in the striatum were measured by western blotting. Also, the amounts of protein and mRNA level of the α-synuclein in striatum tissue were measured by western blotting and RT-qPCR methods. Malathion induced apoptosis by increasing the amount of Bax/Bcl2 ratio and caspases 3 and 9 proteins in rat striatum tissue. It also increased the protein and mRNA level of α-synuclein in striatal tissue. Co-administration of crocin or levodopa with malathion inhibited the toxic effects of malathion on striatal tissue. Crocin ameliorates the neurotoxic effect of malathion by its anti-apoptotic activity and regulating the expression of proteins involved in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. As a result, crocin has the potential to be used as a treatment for malathion-induced neurotoxicity.
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Song YN, Wang Y, Zheng YH, Liu TL, Zhang C. Crocins: A comprehensive review of structural characteristics, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effects. Fitoterapia 2021; 153:104969. [PMID: 34147548 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2021.104969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Crocins, as a kind of water-soluble carotenoid pigment, are a series of ester compounds formed from crocetin and gentibiose or glucose, and mainly distributed among Crocus sativus L. (CSL), Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. (GJE). Crocins exhibit a wide range of pharmacological effects on neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, depression, liver disease, arthritis, tumor, diabetes, etc. This review systematically discussed the pharmacologic study of crocins in the aspect of structural characteristic and pharmacokinetics, and summarized the mechanism of treating disease. It summarized the abundant research of crocins from 1984 to 2020 based on the above aspects, which provide a reference for the deeply development and application of crocins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Song
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ying-Hao Zheng
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | | | - Cun Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Therapeutic Potential of Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) in Ischemia Stroke. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6643950. [PMID: 33747107 PMCID: PMC7943274 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6643950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a main cause of disability worldwide. The majority (approximately 80%) of strokes are ischemic. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been considered for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Pharmacological effects of saffron are attributed to the presence of crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal. In the present review, we summarized the reported neuroprotective effects of saffron and its active constituents against cerebral ischemia stroke. Saffron and its components exert its beneficial effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic agent though inhibition of biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers. Taken together, this review indicates that saffron and its ingredients could be a potent candidate in the process of new drug production for the treatment of ischemia stroke.
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Safdari MR, Shakeri F, Mohammadi A, Bibak B, Alesheikh P, Jamialahmadi T, Sathyapalan T, Sahebkar A. Role of Herbal Medicines in the Management of Brain Injury. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1328:287-305. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Kermanshahi S, Ghanavati G, Abbasi-Mesrabadi M, Gholami M, Ulloa L, Motaghinejad M, Safari S. Novel Neuroprotective Potential of Crocin in Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Illustrated Mechanistic Review. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:2573-2585. [PMID: 32940861 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03134-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequently oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis that contribute to neuronal cytotoxicity and degeneration. Recent studies reported that crocin, a carotenoid chemical compound common in crocus and gardenia flowers, has protective effects in neurodegenerative disorders due to its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties in the nervous system. This article reviews the new experimental, clinical, and pharmacological studies on the neuroprotective properties of crocin and its potential mechanisms to modulate metabolic oxidative stress and inflammation in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Kermanshahi
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat highway, Beside the Milad Tower, P.O. Box: 14496-14525, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghazal Ghanavati
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat highway, Beside the Milad Tower, P.O. Box: 14496-14525, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mobina Abbasi-Mesrabadi
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat highway, Beside the Milad Tower, P.O. Box: 14496-14525, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Gholami
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Luis Ulloa
- Center for Perioperative Organ Protection, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Majid Motaghinejad
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat highway, Beside the Milad Tower, P.O. Box: 14496-14525, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sepideh Safari
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat highway, Beside the Milad Tower, P.O. Box: 14496-14525, Tehran, Iran
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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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Behrouz V, Dastkhosh A, Hedayati M, Sedaghat M, Sharafkhah M, Sohrab G. The effect of crocin supplementation on glycemic control, insulin resistance and active AMPK levels in patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2020; 12:59. [PMID: 32670418 PMCID: PMC7346493 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-020-00568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crocin as a carotenoid exerts anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects. Besides, the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its allied complications, and also patients' desire to use natural products for treating their diseases, led to the design of this study to evaluate the efficacy of crocin on glycemic control, insulin resistance and active adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS In this clinical trial with a parallel-group design, 50 patients with T2D received either 15-mg crocin or placebo, twice daily, for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, physical activity, blood pressure, glucose homeostasis parameters, active form of AMPK were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. RESULTS Compared with the placebo group, crocin improved fasting glucose level (P = 0.015), hemoglobin A1c (P = 0.045), plasma insulin level (P = 0.046), insulin resistance (P = 0.001), and insulin sensitivity (P = 0.001). Based on the within group analysis, crocin led to significant improvement in plasma levels of glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity. The active form of AMPK did not change within and between groups after intervention. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that crocin supplementation can improve glycemic control and insulin resistance in patients with T2D. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.Trial Registration This study has been registered at Clinicaltrial.gov with registration number NCT04163757.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahideh Behrouz
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, West Arghavan Street, Farahzadi Blvd., P.O. Box:19395-4741, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Dastkhosh
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, West Arghavan Street, Farahzadi Blvd., P.O. Box:19395-4741, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Hedayati
- Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meghdad Sedaghat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Imam-Hossein General Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sharafkhah
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golbon Sohrab
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, West Arghavan Street, Farahzadi Blvd., P.O. Box:19395-4741, Tehran, Iran
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Xie W, Wulin H, Shao G, Wei L, Qi R, Ma B, Chen N, Shi R. Polygalasaponin F inhibits neuronal apoptosis induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation through the PI3K/Akt pathway. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 127:196-204. [PMID: 32237267 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral ischaemia is a common cerebrovascular disease and often induces neuronal apoptosis, leading to brain damage. Polygalasaponin F (PGSF) is one of the components in Polygala japonica Houtt, and it is a triterpenoid saponin monomer. This research focused on anti-apoptotic effect of PGSF during oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) and primary rat cortical neurons. OGD/R treatment reduced viability of PC12 cells and primary neurons. This reduced viability was prevented by PGSF, as shown by MTT assay. OGD/R insult decreased expression of Bcl-2/Bax both in PC12 cells and primary neurons but elevated levels of caspase-3 in primary neurons. However, PGSF may up-regulate expression of Bcl-2/Bax and down-regulate caspase-3 in these particular cells. Furthermore, Bcl-2/Bax and the ratio between phosphorylated Akt and total Akt were decreased in PC12 cells treated with OGD/R, and both were increased by PGSF. Moreover, increase in the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax and phosphorylated Akt/total Akt in PC12 cells was suppressed by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. Data suggest PGSF might prevent OGD/R-induced injury via activation of PI3K/Akt signalling. The ability of PGSF to block the effects of OGD/R appears to involve regulation of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3, which are related to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xie
- Department of Physiology, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Translational Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
| | - Hade Wulin
- Department of Physiology, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Guo Shao
- Institute of Neuroscience, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Translational Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
| | - Liqin Wei
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medical Science, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
| | - Ruifang Qi
- Department of Physiology, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
| | - Baohui Ma
- Department of Physiology, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
| | - Naihong Chen
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruili Shi
- Department of Physiology, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Translational Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
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Ebrahimzadeh A, Moghadam SY, Rahimi H, Motaghinejad M, Motevalian M, Safari S, Mesrabadi MA. Crocin acts as a neuroprotective mediator against methylphenidate-induced neurobehavioral and neurochemical sequelae: Possible role of the CREB-BDNF signaling pathway. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2020. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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17
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Ghiasian M, Khamisabadi F, Kheiripour N, Karami M, Haddadi R, Ghaleiha A, Taghvaei B, Oliaie SS, Salehi M, Samadi P, Ranjbar A. Effects of crocin in reducing DNA damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis patients: A double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2019; 33:e22410. [PMID: 31617649 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the nerve cells, resulting in neurological disorders. Oxidative stress, free radicals, and neuritis have important roles in MS pathogenesis. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of crocin on inflammatory markers, oxidative damage, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in the blood of patients with MS. A total of 40 patients were divided into two groups, drug and placebo-treated groups, using random assignment. Participants of the intervention and control groups received two crocin capsules or placebo per day for 28 days, respectively. Findings revealed a significant decrease in the level of important pathogenic factors in MS, including lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 17 as well as a significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity in the serum of patients treated with crocin compared with the placebo group. Our results suggest the beneficial and therapeutic effects of crocin in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Ghiasian
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Forough Khamisabadi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Nejat Kheiripour
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Manouchehr Karami
- Research Center for Modeling of Non-Communicable Diseases, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Rasool Haddadi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghaleiha
- Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Babak Taghvaei
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Seyed Sajad Oliaie
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammadjavad Salehi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Pouria Samadi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Akram Ranjbar
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Crocin attenuation of neurological deficits in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Brain Res Bull 2019; 150:186-195. [PMID: 31173858 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating subtype of stroke that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, up to now, there are no effective prevention methods or specific therapies to improve its clinical outcomes. Herein, we explore preliminarily the efficacy of crocin, a carotenoid extracted from the stigma of saffron known for its anti-oxidation and free radical scavenging activities, in a mouse ICH model induced with collagenase infusion. Crocin or saline was administrated 6 h after ICH and then every 12 h for up to 7 days. Neurological scores were examined on days 1, 3, and 7 after ICH. Mice were sacrificed after1, 3, and 7 days of crocin treatment for examination of histology and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that oral administration of crocin attenuated the neurological deficits and reduced the myelin loss, neuron degeneration, iron deposition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in the early stage of ICH, making it potential to be an ideal candidate for medical therapy of ICH in clinic.
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Crocin protects against dexamethasone‑induced osteoblast apoptosis by inhibiting the ROS/Ca2+‑mediated mitochondrial pathway. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:401-408. [PMID: 31115574 PMCID: PMC6580004 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoblast apoptosis has been identified as an important event in the development of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Crocin, a bioactive ingredient of saffron, has been demonstrated to induce antiapoptotic effects on numerous types of cell in vitro; however, the effects of crocin on the dexamethasone (Dex)-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts remain unclear. In the present study, the protective effects of crocin during Dex-induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, and the underlying mechanisms, were investigated. MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry assays were performed to evaluate the viability and apoptosis of cells, respectively. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular Ca2+ levels and apoptosis-associated protein expression were assessed via flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and western blotting. It was demonstrated that crocin pretreatment inhibited Dex-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Crocin reversed Dex-induced decreases in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and increases in ROS and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Furthermore, crocin upregulated the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt C), and downregulated those of cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2-associated X protein and cytoplasmic Cyt C. N-acetylcysteine, a ROS inhibitor, and 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, a calcium chelator, attenuated Dex-induced osteoblast apoptosis, whereas H2O2 and ionomycin, a calcium ionophore that increases intracellular calcium levels, reversed the antiapoptotic effects of crocin on Dex-treated osteoblasts. These results indicated that crocin may protect osteoblasts from Dex-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the ROS/Ca2+-mediated mitochondrial pathway, thus suggesting that crocin has potential value as a treatment for GC-induced bone diseases.
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Zhang Y, Geng J, Hong Y, Jiao L, Li S, Sun R, Xie Y, Yan C, Aa J, Wang G. Orally Administered Crocin Protects Against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through the Metabolic Transformation of Crocetin by Gut Microbiota. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:440. [PMID: 31114499 PMCID: PMC6502977 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Our pilot study suggested that orally administered crocin was hardly absorbed into circulatory system, but it was effective against cerebral ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The pharmacologically active component and targeting site of crocin remain elusive. In this study, the cerebral-protective effect of crocin was evaluated on a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Our data showed that oral administration of crocin had better effectiveness in cerebral protection than an intravenous injection. Neither crocin nor its metabolite crocetin were determined in the brain of cerebral I/R rats, indicating a target site of periphery. Abundant crocetin was detected in plasma after oral administration instead of intravenous injection of crocin. Meanwhile, orally administered crocetin showed similar cerebral protection to that of crocin, but this exciting effect was not clearly observed by intravenous administration of crocetin, indicating the importance of crocetin in gut. Moreover, orally administered crocin showed less cerebral-protective effect in pseudo germ-free (pGF) MCAO rats. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that crocin could be deglycosylated to crocetin in gut content of normal rats, rather than that of pGF rats, indicating that gut microbiota facilitated the transformation of crocin into crocetin, which played a key role in the activation of the pharmacological effect. Metabolomic study revealed that microbial-host co-metabolic molecules were significantly perturbed after oral administration of crocin, indicating a regulation on intestinal ecosystem. It was further suggested that gut microbiota may be the potential target of the cerebral-protective effect of crocin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiye Aa
- Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Zhou Y, Xu Q, Shang J, Lu L, Chen G. Crocin inhibits the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cells via miR-320/KLF5/HIF-1α signaling. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:17876-17885. [PMID: 30851060 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The biological activities of crocin, one of the main bioactive compounds of saffron, include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, and anticancer effects. Crocin has been shown to trigger the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells, but its effect on the metastasis of gastric cancer cells remains unclear. Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) are important transcription factors in the development of gastric cancer. KLF5 and HIF-1α expression were analyzed in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Following exposure to crocin, AGS and HGC-27 gastric cancer cells were assessed with regard to migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as the expression of KLF5, HIF-1α, and microRNA-320 (miR-320). The miR-320/KLF5/HIF-1α signaling pathway became the focus for further investigation of the mechanism of crocin in gastric cancer cell migration, invasion, and EMT. KLF5 and HIF-1α expression were elevated in gastric cancer tissues and cells, and KLF5 expression was positively correlated with the HIF-1α level in gastric cancer tissues. Crocin was associated with reduced expression of KLF5 and HIF-1α, whereas miR-320 expression was increased. Crocin also inhibited the migration, invasion, and EMT of gastric cancer cells. Upregulation of KLF5 attenuated crocin's function and elevated HIF-1α expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that KLF5 was a target gene of miR-320. Crocin modulated KLF5 expression via elevation of miR-320 expression. In conclusion, crocin inhibits the EMT, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and this activity is mediated through miR-320/KLF5/HIF-1α signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qihua Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjuan Shang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihua Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoyan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zhang X, Fan Z, Jin T. Crocin protects against cerebral- ischemia-induced damage in aged rats through maintaining the integrity of blood-brain barrier. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2018; 35:65-75. [PMID: 28059805 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-160696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A clear relationship exists between oxidative stress and disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) during cerebral ischemia, in which aging may exacerbate the extent of leakage. Here, we aim to examine the potential role of a water-soluble carotenoid-based antioxidant crocin on BBB damage in aged rats following cerebral ischemia. METHODS A two months oral administration of crocin was applied to 24-month-old rats followed by an induction of brain ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Brain infarction volume, water content, and neurological behavior assessments were measured in these animals at 24 hours after MCAO as compared to vehicle-treated controls. Evans blue dye extravasation assay was used to evaluate the BBB integrity. The levels of tight junction proteins, oxidative stress, and MMP (matrix metalloproteinases) activities were also determined in the ipsilateral brains of the MCAO-treated rats. RESULTS MCAO-induced brain injury was alleviated by the pretreatment of crocin. Crocin-treated animals also showed the preserved BBB function in the presence of ischemic injury. The loss of tight junction proteins and enhanced NADPH oxidase in the ipsilateral brains of the MCAO-treated rats were both reduced by crocin. Finally, the induction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by cerebral ischemia was partially blocked by crocin in aged rats. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that crocin or related antioxidants may protect against cerebral ischemia of elderly patients by maintaining the integrity of BBB in aged rats, an effect likely through repressing the activation of matrix metalloproteinase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhixin Fan
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ting Jin
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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Wang Y, Wang Q, Yu W, Du H. Crocin Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Myocardial Infarction Injury in Rats. Int Heart J 2018; 59:387-393. [DOI: 10.1536/ihj.17-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yongwang Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital
| | - Qingping Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital
| | - Wenli Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital
| | - Hongyin Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital
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affron ® a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med 2017; 33:58-64. [PMID: 28735826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years phytotherapy has been explored as a source for alternative treatments for mood disorders. One potential candidate is saffron (Crocus sativus L.), whose main bioactive components are crocins and safranal. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of affron®, a standardised stigmas extract from Crocus sativus L. for improving mood, stress, anxiety and sleep quality in healthy adults. METHODS In this 3 arm study, 128 participants self-reporting low mood but not diagnosed with depression, were given affron® at 28mg/day, 22mg/day, or a placebo treatment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 4 weeks. Mood was measured at baseline and at the end of the study, using the POMS (primary outcome measure) and PANAS questionnaires, and the DASS-21 scale. Sleep was monitored using Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS Analysis indicated a significant decrease in negative mood and symptoms related to stress and anxiety at a 28mg/day dose (with a significant difference between 28mg/day and placebo on the POMS Total Mood Disturbance scale, p<0.001, d=-1.10), but no treatment effect at the 22mg/day dose. LIMITATIONS The main weaknesses of this investigation were found in the self-reporting nature of both the screening and the testing. CONCLUSIONS affron® increased mood, reduced anxiety and managed stress without side effects, offering a natural alternative to standard treatments.
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Yang L, Dong X. Crocin attenuates hemorrhagic shock-induced oxidative stress and organ injuries in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2017; 52:177-182. [PMID: 28433804 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effect of natural antioxidant crocin in alleviating hemorrhagic shock (HS)-induced organ damages. HS rats were treated with crocin during resuscitation. Mortality at 12h and 24h post resuscitation was documented. HS and resuscitation induced organ injuries, as characterized by elevated wet/dry ratio, quantitative assessment ratio, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, whereas rats received crocin treatment demonstrated improvements in all the above characteristics. This protective effect coincided with reduced malondialdehyde and increased glutathione in both serum and lung tissues, indicating attenuated oxidative stress in crocin-treated rats. Myeloperoxide levels in lung, kidney and liver were also reduced. Crocin can potentially be used to protect organs from HS-induced damages during resuscitation due to its anti-oxidative role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Yang
- Department of Emergency, Cangzhou City Central Hospital Brain Campus, Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou 061000, China.
| | - Xiujuan Dong
- Department of Obstetrics, Cangzhou City Central Hospital, Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou 061000, China
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Yang L, Dong X. Inhibition of Inflammatory Response by Crocin Attenuates Hemorrhagic Shock-Induced Organ Damages in Rats. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2017; 37:295-302. [PMID: 28453369 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2016.0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is associated with an excessive activation of inflammation, contributing to multiple organ failure in numerous medical or surgical conditions. To explore the therapeutic potential of crocin, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties, we administered crocin to rats during resuscitation following HS induced by withdrawing blood. Compared with control animals which were sham-treated, HS-operated rats showed organ damages as manifested by enhanced markers of multiple organ dysfunctions. Crocin treatment substantially reduced these parameters in rats subjected to HS, suggesting an alleviation of tissue injuries such as in the kidney, liver, pancreas, and muscle. The activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) pathway in lung tissue by HS, as shown by increased nuclear translocation of p65 and IκBα phosphorylation, was diminished by crocin treatment. The crocin administration also significantly decreased the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and interleukin (IL)-6, whereas increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in HS-operated rats. These studies indicate that crocin administration may reduce inflammation-driven tissue damage in patients with HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Yang
- 1 Department of Emergency, Cangzhou City Central Hospital Brain Campus , Cangzhou, China
| | - Xiujuan Dong
- 2 Department of Obstetrics, Cangzhou City Central Hospital , Cangzhou, China
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Finley JW, Gao S. A Perspective on Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) Constituent Crocin: A Potent Water-Soluble Antioxidant and Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:1005-1020. [PMID: 28098452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline. Several factors are thought to play roles in the development and course of AD. Existing medical therapies only modestly alleviate and delay cognitive symptoms. Current research has been focused on developing antibodies to remove the aggregates of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau protein. This approach has achieved removal of Aβ; however, no cognitive improvement in AD patients has been reported. The biological properties of saffron, the dry stigma of the plant Crocus sativus L., and particularly its main constituent crocin, have been studied extensively for many conditions including dementia and traumatic brain injury. Crocin is a unique antioxidant because it is a water-soluble carotenoid. Crocin has shown potential to improve learning and memory as well as protect brain cells. A search of the studies on saffron and crocin that have been published in recent years for their impact on AD as well as crocin's effects on Aβ and tau protein has been conducted. This review demonstrates that crocin exhibits multifunctional protective activities in the brain and could be a promising agent applied as a supplement or drug for prevention or treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Finley
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, 111 Food Science Building, Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
- 14719 Secret Harbor Place, Bradenton, Florida 34202, United States
| | - Song Gao
- Quality Phytochemicals LLC , 13 Dexter Road, East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816, United States
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Neuroprotective diets for stroke. Neurochem Int 2017; 107:4-10. [PMID: 28161467 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the main causes of death and disability in the elderly. In the last few years, there has been increasing evidence that suggests the influence of the diet on the decrease of stroke risk. Probably, because of the presence of bioactive components with beneficial effects such as antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties. This article reviews several dietary bioactive compounds from studies in models of cerebral ischemia that have obtained promising results decreasing cerebral damage. We propose that many of these compounds present in diet could be good candidates to test new neuroprotection approaches focused on reducing the damage and protecting the brain before stroke occurs.
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Picroside II Exerts a Neuroprotective Effect by Inhibiting the Mitochondria Cytochrome C Signal Pathway Following Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats. J Mol Neurosci 2017; 61:267-278. [PMID: 28054226 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0870-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is a common neurodegenerative disease in the wide world, and mitochondrial defects underlie the pathogenesis of ischemia, especially during reperfusion. Picroside II, the principal active component of Picrorhiza, is a traditional Chinese medicine. Our previous study demonstrated that the best therapeutic dose and time window were injection of picroside II at a dose of 10-20 mg/kg body weight following cerebral ischemia by 1.5-2.0 h. In this paper, the neuroprotective effect and the mechanism of picroside II were investigated, as well as its involvement in antioxidant and mitochondria cytochrome C (CytC) signal pathway following ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. After 24 h of cerebral I/R, the neurobehavioral function was measured by modified neurological severity score test; the content of reactive oxygen species in brain tissue was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the cerebral infarction volume was detected by TTC staining; the morphology of brain tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin; the apoptotic cells were counted by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay; the ultrastructure of the cortical brain tissues was observation by transmission electron microscopy; the expressions of CytC and Caspase-3 were determined by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot. The results indicated that picroside II could scavenge ROS contents, decrease the cerebral infarction volume and apoptotic cells, protect the structure of mitochondria, down-regulate the expression of CytC and Caspase-3 in cerebral I/R rats. It can be concluded that picroside II exerts a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting the mitochondria CytC signal pathway following ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.
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Ansari FA, Ali SN, Mahmood R. Crocin protects human erythrocytes from nitrite-induced methemoglobin formation and oxidative damage. Cell Biol Int 2016; 40:1320-1331. [DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fariheen Aisha Ansari
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry; Aligarh Muslim University; Aligarh Uttar Pradesh 202002 India
| | - Shaikh Nisar Ali
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry; Aligarh Muslim University; Aligarh Uttar Pradesh 202002 India
| | - Riaz Mahmood
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry; Aligarh Muslim University; Aligarh Uttar Pradesh 202002 India
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Investigation of the effect of safranal and crocin pre-treatment on hepatic injury induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:160-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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