Therapeutic Potential of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Ischemia Stroke

Phytotherapy in Alzheimer's Disease-A Narrative Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects 50-70% of patients with dementia, making it the leading cause of dementia. The condition is classified as a neurodegenerative, progressive and incurable disease. The disease is affecting more and more people around the world. AD has a multifactorial nature, spreading from beta-amyloid deposition to inflammation in patients' brains. Patients experience cognitive impairment and functional decline. Although it is a disease that occurs mainly in the elderly, it is increasingly being diagnosed in young people between the ages of 30 and 40. It not only affects the patient themself but also reduces the quality of life of their closest caregivers. According to the WHO, the treatment of AD consumes USD 1.3 trillion globally, but it is only symptomatic, as there are no drugs to prevent the onset of AD or treat the cause of its onset. Due to the numerous side effects of therapy and the lack of proactive drugs that act on the pathomechanism of AD, alternative therapies are being sought. One possible option that has many studies confirming its effect is phytotherapy. Many herbs have pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or neuroprotective effects, making them the future of cognitive disorders and AD treatment. This review focuses on some of the most promising herbs that have potentially potent properties and effects in AD therapy. These include Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, Berberis and Crocus sativus. These herbs may perhaps be key in the future to make functioning and life easier for patients struggling with AD.

Cytisine-N-methylene-(5,7,4'-trihydroxy)- isoflavone ameliorates ischemic stroke-induced brain injury in mouse by regulating the oxidative stress and BDNF-Trkb/Akt pathway

BACKGROUND

A novel compound Cytisine-N-methylene-(5,7,4'-trihydroxy)- isoflavone (LY01) found in the Sophora alopecuroides L is a neuroprotective agent. However, the effect and potential mechanism of LY01 treatment for ischemic stroke (IS) have not been fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to demonstrate whether LY01 can rescue ischemic stroke-induced brain injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R).

RESULTS

Our results show that intragastric administration of LY01 improves ischemic stroke behaviors in mice, as demonstrated by neurological score, infarct volume, cerebral water content, rotarod test for activity. Compared with the model group, the ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) and LY01 reversed the neurological score, infarct volume, cerebral water content, rotarod test in model mice. Further analysis showed that the LY01 rescued oxidative stress in the model mice, which was reflected in the increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity and decreased levels of malondialdehyde in the serum of the model mice. Moreover, the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), Bax, Bcl-2, (p)-tropomysin related kinase B (p-Trkb) was restored and the expression of Bax, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the brains of the model mice was inhibited through LY01 treatment. In the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) data, after giving LY01, the expression in the brains of model mice was that, IL-10 increased and IL-1β, Bax, Bcl-2 decreased. Furthermore, the results indicated that LY01 improved cell viability, reactive oxygen species content, and mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation induced by OGD/R in primary culture of rat cortical neurons. Bax and caspase-3 activity was upregulated compared to the before after treatment with LY01.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that LY01 reversed ischemic stroke by reducing oxidative stress and activating the BDNF-TrkB/Akt pathway and exerted a neuroprotective action against OGD/R injury via attenuation, a novel approach was suggested to treat ischemic stroke. Our observations justify the traditional use of LY01 for a treatment of IS in nervous system.

Saffron, a Potential Bridge between Nutrition and Disease Therapeutics: Global Health Challenges and Therapeutic Opportunities

Plants are an important source of essential bioactive compounds that not only have a beneficial role in human health and nutrition but also act as drivers for shaping gut microbiome. However, the mechanism of their functional attributes is not fully understood despite their significance. One such important plant is Crocus sativus, also known as saffron, which possesses huge medicinal, nutritional, and industrial applications like food and cosmetics. The importance of this plant is grossly attributed to its incredible bioactive constituents such as crocins, crocetin, safranal, picrocrocin, and glycosides. These bioactive compounds possess a wide range of therapeutic activities against multiple human ailments. Since a huge number of studies have revealed negative unwanted side effects of modern-day drugs, the scientific communities at the global level are investigating a large number of medicinal plants to explore natural products as the best alternatives. Taken into consideration, the available research findings indicate that saffron has a huge scope to be further explored to establish alternative natural-product-based drugs for health benefits. In this review, we are providing an update on the role of bioactive compounds of saffron as therapeutic agents (human disorders and antimicrobial activity) and its nutritional values. We also highlighted the role of omics and metabolic engineering tools for increasing the content of key saffron bioactive molecules for its mass production. Finally, pre-clinical and clinical studies seem to be necessary to establish its therapeutic potential against human diseases.

The effect of crocin-selenium nanoparticles on the cognition and oxidative stress markers of multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized triple-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is estimated to be approximately 40-60%. There is an increasing body of evidence regarding the impact of both selenium and crocin as antioxidant agents on cognitive function. In the present study, for the first time, we investigated the effect of crocin-selenium nanoparticles (Cor@SeNs) on cognitive function and oxidative stress markers in MS patients. A triple-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted among 60 MS patients. The participants were randomly divided in a 1:1 ratio to either the Cor@SeNs or placebo group, employing block randomization. During the course of 12 weeks, the participants received Cor@SeNs capsules, containing 5.74 mg crocin and 55 mcg Selenium, or placebo capsules. Cognition assessed using the Persian version of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione reductase (GR) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) determined by colorimetric kits. Data analysis was performed in SPSS, version 26. P < 0.05 was considered as the significant range. The mean ± SD of TAC change was 0.03 ± 0.07 mM vs. - 0.03 ± 0.09 mM in intervention and placebo groups, respectively (Time × group effect P: 0.01; effect size: 0.10). The time effect of intervention on the California Verbal Learning Test second edition (CVLT-II) (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.29), CVLT-II-delay (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.29), and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.18) was increasing and significant. In addition, the time effect of intervention on GR activity was significant and decreasing in both groups (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.20). Our results suggested a significant effect of the Cor@SeNs intervention in improving TAC. We also observed a significant improvement in cognitive function in both groups during our study. However, although not statistically significant, a higher amount of change in cognitive function and serum antioxidant markers was noted in the Cor@SeNs group compared to the placebo group. This is the first study on this nano product with low dose of selenium and crocin. More investigations with longer duration and varied doses are suggested.

Therapeutic potentialities of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in ischemic stroke: biochemical and molecular evidence

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and death in patients. Despite considerable recent advances in the treatment of ischemic stroke, only a limited number of effective neuroprotective agents are available for stroke. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a popular herbal plant, and numerous studies have indicated its health benefits for several diseases. Green tea is of interest due to its high content of catechin derivatives, including epicatechin, gallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate. This review tried to develop a feasible background for the potential effects of green tea and its bioactive derivatives concerning protection against ischemic stroke. Green tea's antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective effects are believed to be efficacious in stroke treatment. Evidence supports the idea that green tea can be used to assist in treating ischemic stroke.

Oxidative Stress is a New Avenue for Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Hype of Hope?

The biochemical integrity of the brain is critical in maintaining normal central nervous system (CNS) functions. One of the factors that plays an important role in causing biochemical impairment of the brain is known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is generally defined as the excessive formation of free radicals relative to antioxidant defenses. The brain is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress because of its high oxygen consumption and lipid-rich content. Therefore, oxidative stress damage is associated with abnormal CNS function. Psychiatric disorders are debilitating diseases. The underlying pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders is poorly defined and may involve the interplay of numerous clinical factors and mechanistic mechanisms. Considerable evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a complex role in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessivecompulsive disorder, panic disorder, and schizophrenia. To address these issues, we reviewed the literature and considered the role of oxidative stress as one of the first pathological changes in the course of neuropsychiatric disorders, which should receive more attention in future research.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) and its constituents for pain management: A review of current evidence

Pain can become a chronic and deliberating experience with a significant burden. In preclinical and clinical studies, Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has shown analgesic activities. Considering the unsatisfactory results of current therapeutic management for chronic pain conditions, we aimed to review saffron's analgesic activity and underlying mechanisms. Saffron showed antinociceptive activities in formalin-, carrageenan-, and capsaicin-induced experimental pain models. Saffron analgesic activities affected several targets, including ion channels of nociceptors; the adrenergic system and central histaminic system; inhibition of inflammatory pathways, apoptotic pathways, and oxidative stress; regulation of NO pathway, and the endocannabinoid system. Clinical studies showed analgesia of Saffron in rheumatoid arthritis, after-pain following childbirth, dysmenorrhea, and fibromyalgia. Our literature review showed that saffron can be beneficial as an adjunct therapy to commonly used analgesics in practice, particularly in chronic pain conditions.

Astrocyte-Neuronal Communication and Its Role in Stroke

Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the central nervous system. These cells are an important hub for intercellular communication. They participate in various pathophysiological processes, including synaptogenesis, metabolic transformation, scar production, and blood-brain barrier repair. The mechanisms and functional consequences of astrocyte-neuron signaling are more complex than previously thought. Stroke is a disease associated with neurons in which astrocytes also play an important role. Astrocytes respond to the alterations in the brain microenvironment after stroke, providing required substances to neurons. However, they can also have harmful effects. In this review, we have summarized the function of astrocytes, their association with neurons, and two paradigms of the inflammatory response, which suggest that targeting astrocytes may be an effective strategy for treating stroke.

A review of therapeutic impacts of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its constituents

Application of herbal medicines in the treatment of diseases is in the center of attention of medical scientific societies. Saffron (Cricus sativus L.) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Iridaceae family with different therapeutic properties. The outcomes of human and animal experiments indicate that therapeutic impacts of saffron and its constituents, crocin, crocetin, and safranal, mainly are mediated via inhibiting the inflammatory reactions and scavenging free radicals. It has been suggested that saffron and crocin extracted from it also up-regulate the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), down-regulate nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and untimely improve the body organs dysfunction. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) also is attributed to crocin. The current review narrates the therapeutic effects of saffron and its constituents on various body systems through looking for the scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from the beginning of 2010 until the end of 2022.

Crocin: Functional characteristics, extraction, food applications and efficacy against brain related disorders

Crocin is a bioactive compound that naturally occurs in some medicinal plants, especially saffron and gardenia fruit. Different conventional and novel methods are used for its extraction. Due to some control conditions, recent methods such as ultrasonic extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, enzyme-associated extraction, microwave extraction, and pulsed electric field extraction are widely used because these methods give more yield and efficiency. Crocin is incorporated into different food products to make functional foods. However, it can also aid in the stability of food products. Due to its ability to protect against brain diseases, the demand for crocin has been rising in the pharmaceutical industry. It also contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidepressant qualities. This review aims to describe crocin and its role in developing functional food, extraction, and bioavailability in various brain-related diseases. The results of the literature strongly support the importance of crocin against various diseases and its use in making different functional foods.

The significance of thymoquinone administration on liver toxicity of diazinon and cholinesterase activity; a recommendation for prophylaxis among individuals at risk

BACKGROUND

Diazinon (DZN), a widely used chemical herbicide for controlling agricultural pests, is an important organophosphorus pesticide and an environmental pollutant which induces toxic effects on living organisms during long-term exposure. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a phytochemical bioactive compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to evaluate the protective effects of TQ against DZN-induced hepatotoxicity through alleviating oxidative stress and enhancing cholinesterase (ChE) enzyme activity.

METHODS

Rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8); a negative control group receiving corn oil; a group only receiving DZN (20 mg/kg/day); a group treated with TQ (10 mg/kg/day), and three treatment groups as TQ + DZN, receiving different doses of TQ (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day). All experimental animals were orally treated for 28 consecutive days. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined. In addition, ChE activity and histopathological changes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results showed that DZN decreased GSH level (p < 0.01) and SOD activity (p < 0.01) in parallel to an increase in MDA level (p < 0.01) and increased the activity of AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH (p < 0.01) in comparison to the negative control group. Our findings demonstrated that TQ administration could diminish hepatotoxicity and reduce oxidative damage in DZN-treated rats, which could be linked to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. It was also observed that TQ 10 mg/kg remarkably increased the activity of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and SOD enzymes, elevated GSH, decreased MDA, and reduced pathological alternations of the liver induced by DZN.

CONCLUSION

Thymoquinone 10 mg/kg increased the activity of plasma and blood cholinesterases and reduced DZN-induced alternations of the liver. Improvement of butyryl- and acetylcholinesterase activity suggests that maybe TQ supplement could be beneficial as pre-exposure prophylaxis among farm workers spraying pesticides.

Crocins for Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Current Evidence

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.

Research Advances in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort

Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) are a serious threat to human health and account for 31% of global mortality. Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (CX) is derived from umbellifer plants. Its rhizome, leaves, and fibrous roots are similar in composition but have different contents. It has been used in Japanese, Korean, and other traditional medicine for over 2000 years. Currently, it is mostly cultivated and has high safety and low side effects. Due to the lack of a systematic summary of the efficacy of CX in the treatment of CVDs, this article describes the material basis, molecular mechanism, and clinical efficacy of CX, as well as its combined application in the treatment of CVDs, and has been summarized from the perspective of safety. In particular, the pharmacological effect of CX in the treatment of CVDs is highlighted from the point of view of its mechanism, and the complex mechanism network has been determined to improve the understanding of CX's multi-link and multi-target therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and endothelial cells. This article offers a new and modern perspective on the impact of CX on CVDs.

The Novel Role of Crocus sativus L. in Enhancing Skin Flap Survival by Affecting Apoptosis Independent of mTOR: A Data-Virtualized Study

BACKGROUND

Despite the improvements to enhance skin flap viability, the effects of ischemia-reperfusion (IR), oxidative stress, necrosis, and apoptosis are still challenging. Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) is highly noticeable due to its tissue-protective and antioxidant properties. So, we aimed to investigate its effects on skin flap viability, oxidative stress, apoptosis markers, histopathological changes, and mTOR/p-mTOR expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

40 Sprauge-Dawley rats, weighting 200-240 g, were divided into four groups including: (1) Sham (8 × 3 cm skin cut, without elevation); (2) Flap Surgery (8 × 3 cm skin flap with elevation from its bed); (3) Saffron 40 mg/kg + Flap Surgery; and (4) Saffron 80 mg/kg + Flap Surgery. Saffron was administrated orally for 7 days. At day 7, flap necrosis percentage, histopathological changes, malondialdehyde level, Myeloperoxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, Bax, Bcl-2, mTOR, and p-mTOR expression were measured. Protein expressions were controlled by β-Actin.

RESULTS

Saffron administration decreased flap necrosis percentage (p < 0.01), which was not dose-dependent. Treatment groups showed significant histological healing signs (Neovascularization, Fibroblast migration, Epithelialization, and Epithelialization thickness), decreased MDA content (p < 0.01), increased SOD (p < 0.01) and decreased MPO activity (p < 0.01). Bax and Bcl-2 expression, decreased and increased respectively in treated groups (p < 0.0001). mTOR and p-mTOR expression were not changed significantly in Saffron treated groups.

CONCLUSION

Saffron could increase skin flap viability, alleviate necrosis, decrease oxidative stress and decrease apoptotic cell death, after skin flap surgery, but it acts independent of the mTOR pathway. So, Saffron could potentially be used clinically to enhance skin flap viability.

NO LEVEL ASSIGNED

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Neuroprotective effect of herniarin following transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Ischemic stroke is a devastating central nervous disease. Despite extensive research in to this area, few innovative neuroprotective treatments have been presented. 7-methoxycoumarin, also known as herniarin, is a common natural coumarin in several plant species. This project examined the effects of the herniarin in rats subjected to the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Herniarin at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg was administered through intraperitoneal injection for 7 days before MCAO induction. Rats were subjected to a 30 min MCAO and a subsequent 24 h' reperfusion. 24 h after the termination of MCAO, neurologic outcome, volume of brain infarction, level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress markers including levels of total thiol, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were estimated. Herniarin administration decreased the MCAO-induced infarct volume and neurological deficits. Moreover, pretreatment with herniarin significantly decreased the levels of MDA while simultaneously increasing the level of total thiol and SOD activity in the brain tissues of MCAO rats. Moreover, herniarin pretreatment decreased the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the brain tissues of MCAO rats. These results suggest that herniarin presents beneficial effects against ischemic stroke, partly through the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation.

The cardiovascular-protective properties of saffron and its potential pharmaceutical applications: A critical appraisal of the literature

Saffron, the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L., is used in traditional medicine for its healing properties and the treatment of various pathological conditions. The present literature review aimed to summarize and evaluate the preclinical and clinical data regarding the protective effects and mechanisms of saffron and its main components (crocin, crocetin, safranal) on cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Many in vitro and animal studies have been conducted implicating antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, and antiinflammatory impact of saffron and its constituents. Notably, there is evidence of direct atherosclerosis regression and stabilization in valid atherosclerosis-prone animal models. However, current clinical trials have shown mostly weak effects of saffron and its constituents on cardiovascular risk factors: (a) Modest lowering of fasting blood glucose, without significant reduction of HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients, (b) moderate/controversial hypolipidemic effects, (c) negligible hypotensive effect, and (d) inconsistent modification of metabolic syndrome parameters. There are important drawbacks in clinical trial design, including the absence of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic tests, the wide variance of doses and cohorts' characteristics, the small number of patients, the short duration. Therefore, large, properly designed, high-quality clinical trials, focusing on specific conditions are required to evaluate the biological/pharmacological activities and firmly establish the clinical efficacy of saffron and its possible therapeutic uses in cardiovascular diseases.