Is saffron a super spice for internal medicine? A review of more than 30 years of research

Saffron, along with its by-products, has shown to have many beneficial effects in internal medicine, according to a review published in the journal Nutrients. The precious spice is produced mainly in Asia, particularly in Iran. It’s harvested from the Crocus sativus L. plant—specifically and exclusively from the stigmas, which come from the flowers. Along with the stigmas, the flowers consist of tepals and stamens. All of these components of the flower have “numerous beneficial effects in internal medicine,” the authors wrote. The plant is “a valuable source of bioactive natural compounds,” they continied, adding that its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects “are well recognized in internal medicine.”The review focused on the plant’s effects in degenerative maculopathy, depression and anxiety, neurodegenerative disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer and chronic kidney disease. The authors aimed to summarize “the most important papers in which saffron has turned out to be a valuable ally in the prevention and treatment of these pathologies,” they wrote. The authors examined studies and articles published between 1990 and 2024.Here’s some of what they found about saffron’s health benefits, in relation to the diseases listed above.Degenerative maculopathy (DM)DM is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the retina. It’s characterized by hyper or hypopigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium, which leads to an apoptotic process i.e. cell death. This can result in visual impairment.The disease is caused by both genetic and environmental factors, but oxidative stress and chronic inflammation seem to play a crucial role.A study conducted on mice showed that crocetin, a main constituent of the C. sativus L. plant, ameliorated retinal damage and counteracted cell apoptosis. Another trial involving 29 patients with early DM showed that saffron intake improved visual acuity and slowed down the progression of the disease.Depression and anxietySaffron can have “strong anti-depressant effects, potentially due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and serotonergic action.”Patients with depression have been observed to have an increase in oxidative stress, which can alter the immune system and the balance of neurotransmitters. A meta-analysis confirmed that the daily use of saffron can reduce oxidative stress in patients with depression.Depression is associated with neuroinflammation. Safranal, crocin and crocetin (bioactive compounds of the saffron plant), work “synergistically to exert anti-inflammatory effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.”One study involving adult patients with anxiety and depression showed that the intake of saffron stigmas for 12 weeks was associated with an improvement in conditions as reported in a questionnaire.Neurodegenerative diseasesSaffron is “rich” in bioactive molecules (namely crocin, crocetin and safranal) that work together to address issues present in patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.For instance, these compounds seem to be able to counteract neuroinflammation, modulate the metabolic pathways of autophagy and apoptosis, and reduce oxidative stress.Saffron has been shown to improve cognitive function and exert neuroprotective effects against cognitive deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s. Metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a chronic pathology characterized by the presence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.Several studies have shown the benefits of saffron on the metabolic profile due to their antioxidant capacity.One study demonstrated that saffron and its components can increase the total antioxidant capacity in diabetic rats.Other studies on animals showed that saffron has antidiabetic properties. The bioactive compounds of the plant have a positive impact on glycemia, including an improvement in fasting blood glucose.In one clinical trial involving patients with metabolic syndrome, consuming saffron for 12 weeks resulted in an improvement in serum oxidant-antioxidant balance. Another study involving hypertensive men aged 60 to 70 showed that combining saffron intake with resistance training could reduce inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors.Chronic kidney diseaseChronic inflammation plays a key role in kidney disease. Among the factors leading to chronic inflammation are oxidation stress, accumulation of uremic toxins and hypoxia. Oxidation stress causes cellular damage that can result in organ failure. With chronic kidney disease, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species through oxidation stress promotes structural and functional damage. This results in the kidney losing its ability to filter toxic compounds.The bioactive compounds of saffron, such as crocetin and crocin, induce antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that promote kidney health.One study on an animal model showed that crocetins can decrease oxidation stress through an increase in serum nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, and through an increase in glutathione S-transference (GST) activity.Several studies suggest that saffron intake can increase renal blood flow.CancerSaffron has been described by several studies as useful in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The plant has been demonstrated to have “remarkable anticancer properties.”One study showed that saffron stigma extracts can inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cells.Another showed that saffron flower extract can reduce the viability of kidney and bladder cancer cells.“In conclusion, saffron and its by-products, namely leaves and petals, can be used as an adjuvant therapy to the pharmacological ones.”However, further studies are needed to understand the biological effects of saffron on humans and the right dosage for exerting potential anticancer effects.

Is saffron a super spice for internal medicine? A review of more than 30 years of research

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics