The effect of adding ethanolic saffron petal extract (SPE) and vitamin E on growth performance, blood metabolites and antioxidant status in Baluchi male lambs

Determination of the nutritional potential and valorization of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) wastes as an antioxidant agent in ruminant feeding: in vitro and in vivo studies

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a plant known for its diverse medicinal and nutritional properties, which has adapted well to arid and semi-arid regions of the world, particularly in the Middle East. Research on saffron wastes (SW) as a dietary additive for small ruminants is limited. Therefore, two primary experiments were designed to evaluate the nutritional potential of SW. In the first trial, the nutritional value of SW collected from various regions in northeast Iran was assessed through proximate analysis and in vitro procedures. In the second trial, the effects of incorporating SW (a 1: 1 mixture from all regions, w: w) at two levels (30 and 60 g/day) into the diets of Afshari male lambs were investigated in comparison to a control diet. Except for dry matter and ether extract contents, other chemical and mineral compounds varied among the SW collected from different regions. The samples displayed diversity in potential gas production and estimated dry matter intake (DMI). In the in vivo experiment, DMI, nutrient digestibility, and most blood metabolites were not significantly affected by the addition of SW; however, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and cholesterol levels were respectively decreased, increased, and decreased in lambs fed 60 g SW/day compared to the control group. Overall, SW collected from various regions demonstrated different nutritional values. Although the dietary inclusion of SW at the level of 60 g/day did not adversely effect on DMI, nutrient digestibility, or certain blood metabolites, it is suggested for its potential improvement in lambs' health indicators. Long-term studies are recommended for future SW evaluation in vivo.

Effect of herbal extracts in animal nutrition as feed additives

This paper is reviewed with the objective to understand the effect of herbal extracts on animal performance as feed additives. The number of both external and internal factors which affects the production and productivity of animals obviously includes nutrition as a major factor. Feed additives are products used in animal nutrition to increase the quality of feed and animal-derived foods, as well as the performance and the health of animals. Plant extracts as feed additives are described as herbal-derived components added to ration to improve livestock performance and product quality. Many herbal extracts contain chemical components that have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticoccidial and anthelmintic properties to improve ruminal microbial activity, diet palatability and stimulate digestion. Bioactive chemicals found in nature, such as flavonoids and glucosinolates isoprene derivatives, are primarily responsible for the qualities of plant extracts. Plant extracts are commonly added to feed to increase palatability, productivity and to inhibit lipid oxidation. When added to meals, herbal extracts aid to decrease rancidity, delay the generation of hazardous oxidation products, and retain nutritional quality. It is concluded that; herbal extracts are important to improve growth performance and product quality.

Bioactive Components and Biological Activities of Crocus sativus L. Byproducts: A Comprehensive Review

The production of saffron spice results in numerous byproducts, as only 15 g of spice can be produced from 1 kg of flowers, indicating that over 90% of the saffron flower material is eventually discarded as waste. In view of this, the paper reviews current knowledge on the natural active components in saffron byproducts and their biological activities, aiming to lay a theoretical and scientific foundation for the further utilization. Saffron byproducts contain a variety of phytochemical components, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic acids, monoterpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and saponins. The activities of saffron byproducts and their mechanisms are also discussed in detail here.

Starch-based sustainable hydrogel loaded with Crocus sativus petals extract: A new product for wound care

The aim of the present study was to valorize Crocus sativus petals, the main waste deriving from saffron stigma harvesting, as source of bioactive molecules to be used in health field. Three different dry extracts were prepared by eco-friendly methods (maceration and ultrasound bath assisted maceration) using saffron petals as raw material and ethanol 70 % either ethanol 96 % as extraction solvents. A preliminary evaluation of the antioxidant activity (measured by ABTS*⁺, DPPH* and FRAP) highlighted that the most suitable extraction solvent is represented by ethanol 70 %. By in vitro studies on keratinocytes emerged that the extract obtained by maceration (rich in gallic and chlorogenic acids) stimulates their growth in a safe concentration range (0.02-0.4 mg/mL) suggesting a potential application in skin diseases such as superficial wounds. Due to the low manageability, the extract was firstly supported on corn starch powder particles and then formulated as starch gel. The obtained formulation showed both suitable rheological properties and spreadability necessary for an easy and pain free application on damaged skin. Moreover, in vitro microbiological studies of starch gel demonstrated antimicrobial activity toward S. epidermidis and self-preserving capacity.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Flower Water Extract Disrupts the Cecal Microbiome, Brush Border Membrane Functionality, and Morphology In Vivo (Gallus gallus)

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is known as the most expensive spice. C. sativus dried red stigmas, called threads, are used for culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes. The rest of the flower is often discarded, but is now being used in teas, as coloring agents, and fodder. Previous studies have attributed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-depressant, and anticancer properties to C. sativus floral bio-residues. The aim of this study is to assess C. sativus flower water extract (CFWE) for its effects on hemoglobin, brush boarder membrane (BBM) functionality, morphology, intestinal gene expression, and cecal microbiome in vivo (Gallus gallus), a clinically validated model. For this, Gallus gallus eggs were divided into six treatment groups (non-injected, 18 Ω H₂O, 1% CFWE, 2% CFWE, 5% CFWE, and 10% CFWE) with n~10 for each group. On day 17 of incubation, 1 mL of the extracts/control were administered in the amnion of the eggs. The amniotic fluid along with the administered extracts are orally consumed by the developing embryo over the course of the next few days. On day 21, the hatchlings were euthanized, the blood, duodenum, and cecum were harvested for assessment. The results showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in hemoglobin concentration, villus surface area, goblet cell number, and diameter. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in Paneth cell number and Mucin 2 (MUC2) gene expression proportional to the increase in CFWE concentration. Additionally, the cecum microbiome analysis revealed C. sativus flower water extract altered the bacterial populations. There was a significant dose-dependent reduction in Lactobacillus and Clostridium sp., suggesting an antibacterial effect of the extract on the gut in the given model. These results suggest that the dietary consumption of C. sativus flower may have negative effects on BBM functionality, morphology, mineral absorption, microbial populations, and iron status.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Livestock Mammals' Performances, Health, and Oxidative Status: A Review of the Literature in the Last 20 Years

In the last two decades, the interest in natural plant feed additives (PFA) as alternatives to synthetic vitamins in livestock nutrition has increased. After a systematic review, a total of 19 peer-reviewed papers published between 2000 and 2020 were retained to evaluate the antioxidant effects of PFA compared to synthetic antioxidant vitamins (mainly vitamin E; VitE) in livestock nutrition. These studies demonstrated that PFAs could be as efficient as VitE in counteracting oxidative stress in pigs, rabbits, and ruminants. However, PFAs only positively affected animals’ growth performance and feed efficiency in some monogastric studies. The PFA can affect antioxidant enzyme activity in a dose- and method of administration-dependent manner. The antioxidant capacity of both PFA and VitE were depressed in cows fed with diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Variability among studies could be related to species differences. Despite the interest of the feed industry sector in PFA, there are still very few studies evaluating their antioxidant effect in species other than poultry.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins in Livestock Animal Products Yield, Quality, and Oxidative Status: A Review

The interest for safe and natural foods of animal origin is currently increasing the use of plant feed additives (PFA) as antioxidants in animal nutrition. However, studies with livestock animals dealing with PFA as antioxidants are scarce. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the antioxidant impact of PFA compared with synthetic vitamins on animal food product yield and quality. For this purpose, peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2020 were collected. Most papers were carried out on ruminants (n = 13), but PFA were also tested in swine (n = 6) and rabbits (n = 2). The inclusion of PFA in the diets of pigs, rabbits, and ruminants improved the products’ quality (including organoleptic characteristics and fatty acids profile), oxidative stability, and shelf life, with some impacts also on their yields. The effects of PFA are diverse but often comparable to those of the synthetic antioxidant vitamin E, suggesting their potential as an alternative to this vitamin within the diet.

Effects of saffron supplementation on oxidative/antioxidant status and severity of disease in ulcerative colitis patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Supplementation with saffron helps improve antioxidant status. Oxidative stress plays an important role in ulcerative colitis (UC). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of saffron supplementation on disease severity and Oxidative/Antioxidant factors in patients with UC. This randomized double-blinded study was conducted on 80 mild to moderate UC patients. Participants were randomly divided into intervention (100 mg saffron/daily) and placebo (100 mg maltodextrin/daily) groups. Of all the participants, 75 completed the study. After 8 weeks, there were significantly increased in the mean score of simple clinical colitis activity index questionnaire (3.83 ± 1.78 to 3 ± 1.60, p = .004), the serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (2.68 ± 0.90 to 2.79 ± 0.87, p = .016), superoxide dismutase (60.69 ± 9.59 to 66.30 ± 10.79, p = .009) and glutathione peroxidase (22.05 ± 14.27 to 29.67 ± 17.97, p = .011) in patients received saffron compared to the placebo group. Whereas, there was no significant difference in serum levels of malondialdehyde between the two groups. Finally, dietary saffron as an alternative therapy may effective in improving antioxidant factors and reducing the severity of disease in UC patients.