Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The effect of saffron supplementation on subclinical inflammation remains inconclusive. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to summarize available findings on the effect of saffron supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers (C‐reactive protein [CRP], tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], and interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]) in adults. We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to November 2019 using relevant keywords to identify eligible trials. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effect of oral saffron supplementation on plasma concentrations of CRP, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 were included. For each outcome, mean differences and SDs were pooled using a random‐effects model. Overall, eight RCTs were included in this meta‐analysis. The pooled results showed that saffron supplementation did not result in significant changes in serum CRP (weighted mean difference [WMD]: ?0.43 mg/L; 95% confidence interval [CI]: ?1.04 to 0.17; p = .16), serum TNF‐α (WMD: ?1.29 pg/mL; 95% CI: ?4.13 to 1.55; p = .37), and IL‐6 concentrations (WMD: 0.11 pg/mL; 95% CI: ?0.79 to 1.00; p = .81). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduction in serum CRP levels in studies with baseline CRP of ≥3 mg/L, saffron dosage of ≤30 mg/day, and intervention duration of <12 weeks, as well as trials that used crocin. Similarly, saffron was found to decrease TNF‐α in studies that recruited non‐diabetic subjects, subjects with baseline levels of ≥15 pg/mL, and participants with <50 years old, as well as trials that administered saffron at the dosage of ≤30 mg/day. We also found a significant non‐linear effect of saffron dosage on serum CRP concentrations (p_{non‐linearity} = .03). The overall results indicated that saffron supplementation did not affect inflammatory cytokines. Further high‐quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of supplemental saffron on inflammatory biomarkers.     

Role of saffron and its constituents on cancer chemoprevention

Abstract

Context: Cancer dramatically impacts human life expectancy and quality of life. Natural substances from vegetables, herbs and spices could be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of a variety of cancers. Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), which has been used as a folk medicine for treating diseases for ages, showed obvious cancer chemoprevention potential.

Objective: This article focuses on the effects of Crocus sativus and its main ingredients, such as crocin, on cancer therapeutics.

Methods: We reviewed research data from saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, and its constituents using the major databases, namely, Web of Science, SciFinder and PubMed.

Results and conclusion: Saffron possesses free radical-scavenging properties and antitumor activities. Significant cancer chemopreventive effects have been shown in both in vitro and in vivo models. Based on current data, saffron and its ingredients could be considered as a promising candidate for clinical anticancer trials.     

山黧豆中毒引起的运动神经元损害的临床研究

目的探讨山黧豆ＬａｔｈｙｒｕｓＳａｔｉｖｕｓ中毒引起的运动神经元损害，以防止山黧豆对人体健康的损害。方法我们确定了山黧豆中毒的诊断标准：①有吃山黧豆的历史；②有中毒症状；③有锥体束征；④排除神经系统其他疾病。只有前２条标准，不诊断为山黧豆中毒，列为可疑病例。普查了２１２８名农民，并作了神经系统检查，确诊了山黧豆中毒病人，并进行治疗。结果我们所普查的２１２８名农民中发现１１９例中毒病人，占总普查人数的５．６％，其中男性９５例，女性２４例，主要的中毒症状和体征是：双侧下肢痉挛性无力，膝反射、跟踺反射亢进，有持续性或不持续踝阵挛，大多数病人有病理反射，少数病人有小腿肌肉萎缩。结论山黧豆中毒引起的运动神经元损害与过量进食山黧豆有关。山黧豆中含有β－草酰氨基丙氨酸等，结果表明每日食用兴奋性氨基酸，造成了氨基酸的代谢紊乱，这些兴奋性氨基酸引起兴奋性损害，主要为运动神经元变性，对山黧豆中毒的部分病人随访３～２３年无１例完全恢复。     

Saffron (Crocus sativus) aqueous extract and its constituent crocin reduces stress-induced anorexia in mice

In the present study, the effects of an ethanol and aqueous extract of saffron Crocus sativus and its constituents safranal and crocin on the stress‐induced reduction in food intake, weight gain and anorexic time in mice were investigated. Male albino mice (20–25 g) were irregularly exposed to a trial of electroshock stress for 7 days. Then, the anorexic time as well as the animal's food intake and weight were recorded. In addition, blood samples were obtained on days 1 and 7 for corticosterone determination. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of the aqueous but not the ethanol extract (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the anorexic time. The results were similar for crocin (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg; i.p.). In addition, a reduction in weight gain was observed in the controls as well as in the groups that received alcohol extract or safranal. However, this was not observed in animals treated with aqueous extract or crocin. The plasma corticosterone level did not increase in the aqueous extract and crocin treated animals. It can be concluded that the saffron aqueous extract and its constituent crocin reduce side effects of electroshock stress in mice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A prospective double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled study of the effect of saffron (Crocus sativus Linn.) on semen parameters and seminal plasma antioxidant capacity in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

Male factor infertility is a multifactorial disorder that affects a significant percentage of infertile couples; however, many of them remained untreated. In recent years, considerable numbers of infertile men have sought ‘herbal remedies’ as an effective treatment. Among ‘herbal remedies’, saffron is recommended for male infertility in our community. The effect of saffron was evaluated compared with placebo for the treatment of idiopathic male factor infertility. The study included 260 infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) who were randomized to saffron 60 mg/day (130, group 1) or a similar regimen of placebo (130, group 2) for 26 weeks. The two groups were compared for changes in semen parameters and total seminal plasma antioxidant capacity. Saffron administration did not result in beneficial effects. At the end of the study no statistically significant improvements were observed in either group in any of the studied semen parameters (sperm density, morphology and motility) (all p = 0.1). At the end of the trial, patients in group 1 had a mean motility of 25.7 ± 2.4%, which was not statistically different from the mean of 24.9 ± 2.8% in the placebo group (p = 0.1). Normal sperm morphology was 18.7 ± 4.7% and 18.4 ± 4.3%, in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.1). Patients treated with saffron and placebo had a mean sperm density of 20.5 ± 4.6% and 21.4 ± 4.6% per mL, respectively (p = 0.1). Saffron administration did not improve total seminal plasma antioxidant capacity, compared with baseline (p = 0.1) and placebo subjects (p = 0.1). Based on Pearson correlations, each semen parameter did not correlate significantly with treatment duration, including sperm density (r = 0.146, p = 0.13), percent of motile sperm (r = 0.145, p = 0.15) and percent of sperm with normal morphology (r = 0.125, p = 0.30). Saffron does not statistically significantly improve semen parameters in infertile men with idiopathic OAT. If medical professionals want to prescribe herbal remedies for male infertility, previous rigorous scientific investigations, documenting their safety and efficacy are required. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新疆产西红花的质量评价

目的 对产自新疆的西红花Crocus sativus L. 质量进行评价。方法 采用《中国药典》2010年版中西红花浸出物、吸光度、总苷量、重金属、农药残留的检测方法,对新疆产的西红花中的各指标进行检测。色谱柱C¹⁸柱（250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm）;流动相为甲醇-水（45∶55）;体积流量1.0 mL/min;检测波长440 nm;进样量10 μL;柱温为室温。结果 浸出物质量分数为67.8%,吸光度（A）值为0.78,含西红花苷-I为8.02%,含西红花苷-II为5.59%,砷、铅、汞、镉、六氯环己烷、双对氯苯基三氯乙烷（DDT）分别为0.480、0.762、0.028、0.163、0.013、0.027 mg/kg。结论 新疆产的西红花各项指标均符合《中国药典》中西红花的质量标准和药用植物及制剂进出口绿色行业标准的规定,西红花在新疆的无公害种植获得成功。     

西红花及其伪品的微性状鉴别

目的研究西红花及其伪品的微性状鉴别特征。方法采用中药微性状鉴定法对西红花及其伪品进行观察鉴别。结果西红花及其伪品的微性状特征明显,最主要的鉴别点为西红花柱头褶皱状及边缘具黄色分泌物,表皮细胞呈梭样凸起,并有花粉粒存在,而伪品无上述微性状特征。结论利用微性状鉴别法可以清楚地分辨出西红花药材表面微性状特征以及与伪品的鉴别要点,可为西红花的真伪鉴别及质量评价提供依据。     

Affinity-based target deconvolution of safranal

Background and the purpose of the study

Affinity-based target deconvolution is an emerging method for the identification of interactions between drugs/drug candidates and cellular proteins, and helps to predict potential activities and side effects of a given compound. In the present study, we hypothesized that a part of safranal pharmacological effects, one of the major constituent of Crocus sativus L., relies on its physical interaction with target proteins.

Methods

Affinity chromatography solid support was prepared by covalent attachment of safranal to agarose beads. After passing tissue lysate through the column, safranal-bound proteins were isolated and separated on SDS-PAGE or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins were identified using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and Mascot software.

Results and major conclusion

Data showed that safranal physically binds to beta actin, cytochrome b-c1 complex sub-unit 1, trifunctional enzyme sub-unit beta and ATP synthase sub-unit alpha and beta. These interactions may explain part of safranal’s pharmacological effects. However, phenotypic and/or biological relevance of these interactions remains to be elucidated by future pharmacological studies.     

西红花酸含量的高效液相色谱法测定

目的:建立西红花酸含量的高效液相色谱法测定。方法:色谱柱为C_(18)柱(4.6mm×200mm,5μm),流动相为甲醇-水-冰醋酸(75:24.5:0.5),流速为1.0 mL·min~(-1),柱温为30℃,检测波长为423nm,进样量为20μL。结果:该方法的线性范围为0.26～1.29μg(r=0.999 8)。平均回收率分别为98.18％,99.52％,101.4％;RSD分别为1.3％,1.8％,2.1％(n=5)。结论:本方法快速、可靠、简单、灵敏度高。