The Healing Power of Saffron: Proven Medical and Therapeutic Benefits

• Antioxidant: Compounds that protect cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. (Karimi et al., 2010; Tuberoso et al., 2016)

• Anti-inflammatory: Substances that help reduce inflammation in the body. (Hosseinzadeh & Younesi, 2002; Amin & Hosseinzadeh, 2015)

• Anticonvulsant: Compounds that prevent or alleviate seizures, such as in epilepsy. (Khosravan, 2002; Khazdair et al., 2015)

• Anticancer: Compounds that inhibit or destroy cancer cell growth. (Abdullaev & Espinosa-Aguirre, 2004; Zhang et al., 2013; Samarghandian & Borji, 2014; Bhandari, 2015; Shinwari & Rao, 2018)

• Catalase: An enzyme that protects cells against oxidative stress. (Karimi et al., 2010)

• Apoptosis: A biological process known as programmed cell death. (Samarghandian et al., 2013; Mousavi et al., 2009)

• Uterus and estrous cycle: Biological processes related to the uterus and ovulation cycle in the female reproductive system. (Hosseinzadeh et al., 2008)

• Retinal function: The effect of saffron on the retina and visual function. (Yamauchi et al., 2011; Berger et al., 2011)

• Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity: An enzymatic system that detoxifies the body. (Alavizadeh & Hosseinzadeh, 2014)

• Antimicrobial: Compounds that inhibit or eliminate the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. (Bagherzade et al., 2017)

• Antitumor: Compounds that prevent or slow tumor formation. (Zhang et al., 2013; Bhandari, 2015)

• Memory-enhancing: Compounds that support memory and cognitive functions. (Ebrahim-Habibi et al., 2010; Purushothuman et al., 2013)

• Antidepressant: Substances that help reduce symptoms of depression. (Hosseinzadeh et al., 2003; Sarris et al., 2011)

• Anxiolytic: Compounds that reduce anxiety and have calming effects. (Sarris et al., 2011)

• Anti-tyrosinase: Enzyme inhibitors that regulate melanin production and reduce hyperpigmentation. (Kanakis et al., 2007)

• Aphrodisiac: Compounds that enhance sexual desire. (Hosseinzadeh et al., 2008; Patel et al., 2011)

• Increases ocular blood flow: Improves blood circulation in the eye’s vascular system. (Berger et al., 2011)

• Genetic protector: Compounds that prevent DNA damage and support cellular health. (Gutheil et al., 2012)

• Antihypertensive: Compounds that help lower high blood pressure. (Ghaffari & Roshanravan, 2019)

• Antitussive: Substances that suppress cough reflexes. (Hosseinzadeh & Younesi, 2002)

• Antihyperlipidemic: Compounds that help reduce high levels of lipids in the blood. (He et al., 2005)

• Cardioprotective: Compounds with protective effects on heart health. (Ghaffari & Roshanravan, 2019; Razmaraii et al., 2016)

• Immunomodulatory activity: Compounds that regulate and enhance immune system functions. (Samarghandian et al., 2017)

• Neuroprotective: Compounds that protect nerve cells from damage and support the nervous system. (Ebrahim-Habibi et al., 2010; Purushothuman et al., 2013)

References

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2. Alavizadeh, S. H., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2014). Bioactivity assessment and toxicity of crocin: a comprehensive review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 64, 65-80.

3. Amin, B., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2015). Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Crocus sativus L. (Saffron).

4. Bagherzade, G., Tavakoli, M. M., & Namaei, M. H. (2017). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) wastages and its antibacterial activity against six bacteria. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 7(3), 227-233.

5. Berger, F., Hensel, A., & Nieber, K. (2011). Saffron extract and trans-crocetin inhibit glutamatergic synaptic transmission in rat cortical brain slices. Neuroscience, 180, 238-247.

6. Bhandari, P. R. (2015). Crocus sativus L. (saffron) for cancer chemoprevention: a mini review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 5(2), 81-87.

7. Ebrahim-Habibi, M. B., et al. (2010). Fibrillation of α‐lactalbumin: Effect of crocin and safranal, two natural small molecules from Crocus sativus. Biopolymers, 93(10), 854-865.

8. Ghaffari, S., & Roshanravan, N. (2019). Saffron; An updated review on biological properties with special focus on cardiovascular effects. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 109, 21-27.

9. He, S. Y., et al. (2005). Effect of crocin on experimental atherosclerosis in quails and its mechanisms. Life Sciences, 77(8), 907-921.

10. Hosseinzadeh, H., & Younesi, H. M. (2002). Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocus sativus L. stigma and petal extracts in mice. BMC Pharmacology, 2(1), 7.

11. Samarghandian, S., Azimi-Nezhad, M., & Samini, F. (2014). Ameliorative effect of saffron aqueous extract on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress on diabetic encephalopathy in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes mellitus. BioMed Research International.