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Safranal (a monoterpene aldehyde) is the major volatile component of saffron which is responsible for the saffron unique odor. Several studies have shown the pharmacological activities of safranal including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, gastrointestinal protective, etc. This study was designed to review the pharmacological and medical effects of safranal and up-to-date previous knowledge. Moreover, some patents related to the pharmacological effects of safranal were gathered. Therefore, electronic databases including Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Pubmed for pharmacological effects and US patent, Patentscope, and Google Patent for patents were comprehensively searched by related English keywords from 2010 to June 2022. According to our review, most of the studies are related to the safranal effects on CNS such as antianxiety, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antiischemic, anti-tremor, memory enhancement and its protective effects on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson and Huntington diseases. Other effects of safranal are antiasthmatic, antihypertensive, antiaging, anticataract, etc. Moreover, the protective effects of this agent on metabolic syndrome and diabetic nephropathy have been shown. Different mechanisms including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxation, antiapoptotic, and regulatory effects on the genes and proteins expression related to signaling pathways of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, proliferation, etc. are involved in safranal pharmacological effects. Some patents for the prevention and/or treatment of different diseases such as liver cancer, sleep disorder, depression, cognitive disorder, obesity and PMS were also included. Based on the documents, safranal is considered a promising therapeutic agent although more clinical studies are needed to verify the beneficial effects of safranal in humans.

Recently, the primary focus of the food industry lies in replacing synthetic additives with natural ones. Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an agricultural product used by agri-food industries as naturel colorant. The aim objective of the present work was to explore the application of Saffron (Crocus sativus) crocin extracts as natural colorant in biscuits. Furthermore, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the cookies during 45 days of refrigerated storage. Physicochemical analysis was carried out on the biscuits prepared during storage. In addition, total phenolics, flavonoids, and crocins content was assessed. The free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and ferric reducing power were also evaluated. All parameters studied were carried out after 15, 30, and 45 days of storage period. The obtained results indicate that the use of saffron in the manufacture of biscuits gives a product with a good physicochemical quality for a limited duration (45 days of storage). Indeed, the values of moisture content, pH, and acidity are in line with the cookie preparation standard. A variation in these values was recorded during storage. In addition, the saffron biscuit showed a high level of phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannin contents with a strong antioxidant activity. A difference in phenolic compounds level and in the antioxidant activity during storage period was also recorded for the biscuits prepared with synthetic colorant and those without colorant. A natural additives offer a more convenient alternative for consumers who prefer food products without synthetic additives. Hence, the biscuits enriched with saffron as natural additives can be developed as functional food with healthy benefits.

ABSTRACTItaly has faced a renewed interest in the production of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in recent times. However, little is known about the status of this agri-food chain. This exploratory study investigates saffron production (from agronomic to social and marketing aspects) in Italy through 162 interviews with farmers. A large part of them (38%) are young, often at a higher level of literacy (bachelor or master) and new entrants in the agricultural sector (data significantly higher than the average for Italian farms). In more than half the cases, saffron production is considered a complementary activity, with an average production of 332 g per farm per year. Saffron farms are spread throughout Italy and are generally located in hilly/sub-mountain areas (between 143 and 703 m a.s.l.). Only 1% of farmers use agrochemicals, and more than 90% do not need irrigation, while just 40% of farms are mechanized, saffron can then be considered a low-input and sustainable choice for farms in marginal areas. Farmers focus on a high-quality product, certified by quality and sustainability labels. However, supply chain coordination, and knowledge and innovation support should be further developed to promote this sustainable production.

Background: Major depressive disorder affects more than 300 million people worldwide yet the pathophysiology is not fully understood. This review aimed to investigate the mechanistic link between stress-induced alterations in hippocampal BDNF and major depressive disorder, and whether the nutritional intervention Crocus sativus (saffron) could alleviate symptoms. Methods: A three stage systematic literature search was undertaken to identify: (1) review, (2) mechanistic and (3) intervention evidence relevant to the research objectives. 103 peer-reviewed papers published in English met the inclusion criteria. All accepted papers were assessed for quality prior to narrative analysis and synthesis into the results. Results: Animal evidence demonstrates that chronic stress induced a depressive-like phenotype, which was accompanied by significantly reduced hippocampal expression of BDNF. This was corroborated by findings in 5 human case control studies. Preclinical evidence suggests that saffron is able to increase hippocampal levels of BDNF and, in clinical trials, doses of 30mg/day of saffron were significantly more effective than placebo and equally as effective as antidepressant drugs at improving symptoms of depression. Limitations: The mechanistic evidence is largely correlative rather than causal. Larger scale trials are needed to confirm saffron's antidepressant effect before it can be widely recommended as a nutritional intervention for major depressive disorder. Conclusion: Correlative evidence in this review suggests that depleted hippocampal levels of BDNF may play a role in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder; however, a causal link is yet to be established. Saffron may present an emerging and promising non-pharmaceutical intervention for major depressive disorder.

Crocus sativus has emerged as an important crop because it is the only commercial source of saffron that contains unique apocarotenoids. Saffron is composed of dried stigmas of Crocus flower and constitutes the most priced spice of the world. Crocus floral organs are dominated by different classes of metabolites. While stigmas are characterized by the presence of apocarotenoids, tepals are rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins. Therefore, an intricate regulatory network might play a role in allowing different compounds to dominate in different organs. Work so far done on Crocus is focussed on apocarotenoid metabolism and its regulation. There are no reports describing the regulation of flavonoids and anthocyanins in Crocus tepals. In this context, we identified an R2R3 transcription factor, CstMYB16 , which resembles subgroup 4 (SG4) repressors of Arabidopsis. CstMYB16 is nuclear localized and acts as a repressor. Overexpression of CstMYB16 in Crocus downregulated anthocyanin biosynthesis. The C2/EAR motif was responsible for the repressor activity of CstMYB16. CstMYB16 binds to the promoter of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway gene (LDOX) and reduces its expression. CstMYB16 also physically interacts with CstPIF4, which in turn is regulated by temperature and circadian clock. Thus, CstPIF4 integrates these signals and forms a repressor complex with CstMYB16 , which is involved in the negative regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Crocus. Independent of CstPIF4 , CstMYB16 also represses CstPAP1 expression, which is a component of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex and positively controls anthocyanin biosynthesis. This is the first report on identifying and describing regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Crocus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the mechanism of action of nanoemulsion is still unclear, the modern use of nanoemulsions made from natural extracts as antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxigenic agents represents a potential food preservation and a safety target. Methods: Two natural nanoemulsion extracts of Crocus sativus (the saffron flower) and Achillea millefolium (the yarrow flower) were produced in the current study using a low-energy method that included carboxymethylcellulose and Arabic gum. The synthesized nanoemulsion was fully identified by different analytical methods. Detection of the volatile content was completed using GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant potential, and phenolic compounds content were analyzed in the extractions. The synthesized nanoemulsions were screened for their antimicrobial potential in addition to their anti-aflatoxigenic activity. Results: The droplet size of Saffron flowers was finer (121.64 ± 2.18 nm) than yarrow flowers (151.21 ± 1.12 nm). The Zeta potential measurements of the yarrow flower (-16.31 ± 2.54 mV) and the saffron flower (-18.55 ± 2.31 mV) both showed high stability, along with low PDI values (0.34–0.41). The nanoemulsion of yarrow flower revealed 51 compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), with hexanal (16.25%), β-Pinene (7.41%), β-Myrcene (5.24%), D-Limonene (5.58%) and Caryophyllene (4.38%) being the most prevalent. Additionally, 31 compounds were detected in the saffron nanoemulsion, with D-limonene (4.89%), isophorone (12.29%), 4-oxy isophorone (8.19%), and safranal (44.84%) being the most abundant. Compared to the nanoemulsion of the yarrow flower, the saffron nanoemulsion had good antibacterial and antifungal activity. Saffron nanoemulsion inhibited total fungal growth by 69.64–71.90% in a simulated liquid medium and demonstrated the most significant decrease in aflatoxin production. Infected strawberry fruits coated with nanoemulsion extracts exhibited high antimicrobial activity in the form of saffron flower and yarrow flower extract nanoemulsions, which inhibited and/or controlled the growth of Aspergillus fungi. Due to this inhibition, the lag phase was noticeably prolonged, the cell load decreased, and the stability time increased. Conclusion: This study will contribute to expanding the theoretical research and utilization of nanoemulsions as green protective agents in agricultural and food industries for a promising protection from the invasion of some pathogenic bacteria and fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safranal (a monoterpene aldehyde) is the major volatile component of saffron which is responsible for the saffron unique odor. Several studies have shown the pharmacological activities of safranal including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, gastrointestinal protective, etc. This study was designed to review the pharmacological and medical effects of safranal and up-to-date previous knowledge. Moreover, some patents related to the pharmacological effects of safranal were gathered. Therefore, electronic databases including Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Pubmed for pharmacological effects and US patent, Patentscope, and Google Patent for patents were comprehensively searched by related English keywords from 2010 to June 2022. According to our review, most of the studies are related to the safranal effects on CNS such as antianxiety, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antiischemic, anti-tremor, memory enhancement and its protective effects on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson and Huntington diseases. Other effects of safranal are antiasthmatic, antihypertensive, antiaging, anticataract, etc. Moreover, the protective effects of this agent on metabolic syndrome and diabetic nephropathy have been shown. Different mechanisms including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxation, antiapoptotic, and regulatory effects on the genes and proteins expression related to signaling pathways of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, proliferation, etc. are involved in safranal pharmacological effects. Some patents for the prevention and/or treatment of different diseases such as liver cancer, sleep disorder, depression, cognitive disorder, obesity and PMS were also included. Based on the documents, safranal is considered a promising therapeutic agent although more clinical studies are needed to verify the beneficial effects of safranal in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apocarotenoids play a pivotal role in the economic value of saffron plants, underscoring the significance of isolating and studying the genes implicated in apocarotenoid metabolism. This research endeavor focused on the CsUGT gene, a key player in crocin biosynthesis. The gene was subjected to isolation, homogenization, and subsequent transfer into the E. coli strain DH5α. The gene underwent cloning, sequencing, and registration within the NCBI database. A multi-step analysis was initiated to gain a deeper understanding of the attributes inherent to this gene. Firstly, the protein sequence of CsUGT was obtained. Subsequently, several servers and tools, including Protparam, SOPMA, ProtScale, Pfam, ProtComp, SignalP, TMHMM, and ChloroP, were employed to delve into the protein's physical, chemical, and physiological characteristics. Moreover, the Swiss-Model server was leveraged to investigate the protein's three-dimensional structure. The outcome of this exploration included the construction of a Ramachandran diagram, which effectively validated the 3D model structure produced. According to the results, CsUGT protein with 462 amino acids has the conserved sequence of glycosyltransferase family proteins and was identified as a polar protein, stable at high temperatures and without a hydrophobic domain. CsUGT protein has no peptide signal or binding signals and has a cytoplasmic location. This research made it possible to isolate the saffron's CsGTS gene and optimized its transfer conditions into the vector. In addition, the results of CsUGT protein structure analysis provide the basis for future functional studies and can provide valuable information regarding the behavior and reaction of this enzyme in the synthesis of saffron apocarotenoids; also, these results can be useful in future programs of Iranian saffron genetic modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safranal is one flavor component of saffron, which is used as a spice, food additive, and crude drug. In ISO3632, safranal is defined as the compound that contributes to the quality of saffron, and many quantitative determination methods for safranal have been reported. However, safranal is volatile and degrades easily during storage, and an analytical standard with an exact known purity is not commercially available, making it difficult to quantify accurately the content of safranal in saffron. Here, we developed a method for quantifying safranal using relative molar sensitivity (RMS), called the RMS method, using a GC-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). We determined the RMS of safranal to 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene-d4, a certified reference material commercially available, by a combination of quantitative NMR and chromatography. Using two GC-FID instruments made by different manufacturers to evaluate inter-instrument effect, the resultant RMS was 0.770, and the inter-instrument difference was 0.6%. The test solution, with a known safranal concentration, was measured by the RMS method, with an accuracy of 99.4–101%, repeatability of 0.81%, and reproducibility of 0.81–1.3%. Given the ease of degradation, high volatility, and uncertain purity of safranal reagents, the RMS method is a more accurate quantification approach compared to the calibration curve method and methods based on absorption spectrophotometry. Moreover, our findings revealed that the GC-FID makeup gas affected the RMS and quantitative values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus used as a flavoring and coloring agent in the food industry which also possesses medicinal properties. In the current study, the optimum Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) conditions for separating picrocrocin and crocins from aqueous saffron extracts were investigated, using Rotatable-Central Composite Design (RCCD) in combination with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimized factors were volume of saffron extract (3 mL), elution solvent (15% v/v ACN/water for picrocrocin; and 50% v/v ACN/water for crocins), and volume of elution solvent (ACN/water) (10 mL). The response factor measured was the UV-Vis absorbance. The presence of picrocrocin and crocins in the solutions obtained from SPE was confirmed using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS). The above optimized SPE procedure provides economy in reagents and consumables.

The reproduction of Crocus sativus L., a sterile triploid plant, is carried out exclusively through corms, whose size determines the saffron yield. The development of daughter corms (DC) is supported by photoassimilates supplied by the leaves as well as by the mother corms (MC). While biomass partitioning during DC development is well studied, growth dynamics in terms of cell number and size, the involved meristems, as well as carbohydrate partition and allocation, are not yet fully understood. We conducted a comprehensive study into saffron corm growth dynamics at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Variations in carbohydrate content and enzymatic activities related to sucrose metabolism in sources and sinks were measured. Two key meristems were identified. One is involved in vascular connections between DC and MC. The other is a thickening meristem responsible for DC enlargement. This research explains how the previously described phases of corm growth correlate with variations in cell division, enlargement dynamics, and carbohydrate partitioning among organs. Results also elucidated that the end of DC growth relates to a significant drop in MC root biomass, limiting the water supply for the DC growth, and establishing the onset of leaf wilting. The lack of starch accumulation in aged leaf cells is noteworthy, as is the accumulation of lipids. We hypothesize a signaling role of sugars in DC growth initiation, stop, and leaf aging. Finally, we established a predominant role of sucrose synthase as a sucrolytic enzyme in the maintenance of the high flux of carbon for starch synthesis in DC. Together, the obtained results pave the way for the definition of strategies leading to better control of saffron corm development.

Endophytic fungi exert beneficial effects on enhancing plant seed germination, increasing the growth of shoots and roots, strengthening tolerance of host plants to abiotic and biotic stress, and inducing bioactive metabolite aggregation in the host plant. Hence, biological strategies using endophytic fungi are promising and effective to augment the quality of medicinal herbs. Here, we isolated 34 endophytes from the corms of Crocus sativus collected from Hecun Village, Zhejiang Province, China. Two strains, namely CS04 and CS29, symbiotically enhanced the biomass of C. sativus; induced biosynthesis and accumulation of its specialized metabolites, including crocin I and II, and antagonized the growth of pathogenic fungi for preventing rot disease. A multilocus phylogenetic analysis identified CS04 and CS29 as Talaromyces sp. and Penicillium sp., respectively. Treatment with CS04 and CS29 increased the activities of stress-related enzymes. Thus, both CS04 and CS29 are remarkable fungal resources for enhancing plant growth and specialization of metabolite accumulation in C. sativus for agricultural cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron is a spice that is obtained by dehydrating the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower. Iran is the country that produces the largest amount of saffron, exceeding 90% of world production. Currently, there is a growing medicinal use which implies that there is more demand than supply worldwide, in turn, a large amount of labor is required to obtain it; for these two reasons, it reaches a high price in the international market. This demand is due to the high concentration of apocarotenoid metabolites that it biosynthesizes. In this work, the content of these metabolites of saffron from six production areas of Iran and neighbouring countries infected with saffron latent virus (SaLV) and dehydrated at two temperatures is compared. The corms of the six provenances were planted in a homogeneous plot and the stigmas analyzed were those of the second year after planting. The analysis showed that corms do not completely retain the memory of their original origin. In general, the ratio of the sum of mmol/kg of HTCC derivatives to the sum of the mmol of crocins is greater than two. This implies that the biosynthesis of saffron apocarotenoids due to the degradation of β-carotene towards HTCC is more important than that of zeaxanthin formation, which later gives HTCC and crocetin dialdehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Herein, we have advanced a green process for the synthesis and characterization of hybrid nanoflowers using saffron extract, crocin and safranal which were involved as organic components in the creating formation of the nanoflowers, and Cu+2 ions which were involved as the inorganic component. The antimicrobial activities of saffron extract, crocin, safranal, and their Nfs were tested against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Candida albicans ATCC 1023, and the percentages of inhibition were calculated by minimum inhibitory concentration as well. The activities of nanoflowers were highly effective against all microorganisms than the saffron extract and its components, while only the crocin and crocin nanoflowers were ineffective against C. albicans. Similarly, 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl scavenging and catalytic activities of the nanoflowers were found to be more active than extracts and components. In the study, successful synthesis with saffron and its active components showed that they are promising antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of saffron corm resources with higher ability to acquire nutrients and produce more dry matter may offer one solution to mitigate the yield loss problem in growing areas. In the present study, variability in growth, nutrition, and biomass production among saffron ecotypes grown for a two-year field experiment was investigated at Kerman, a semi-arid region of Iran, during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 growing seasons. The results indicated that the studied ecotypes significantly differed in the mentioned parameters and responded differently to growing seasons. High-agronomic performance (yield) and nutrient-efficient ecotypes, e.g. Ferdows, Sarayan, and Bajestan, accumulated more nutrients as a result of increased Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) before the critical stage, resulting in higher dry matter production. In contrast, ecotypes with lower potential to acquire nutrients, e.g. Zarand and Torbat, had lower growth and dry matter. Further, the results showed that variation in nitrogen (N) concentration in corms and leaves was not significant, although significant variation existed in N uptake, N uptake efficiency, and N use efficiency. This can be due to variation observed in the ability of corms to utilize nutrients for dry matter production. Cluster analysis revealed the presence of highly efficient, moderately efficient, and inefficient ecotypes. Generally, the results indicated that ecotypes with higher growth rate before critical stage showed more potential to uptake and utilize nutrients to produce more dry matter, and exhibited more nutrients use efficiencies. Overall, this study suggested that the nutrient acquisition capacity of ecotypes, a desired feature associated with higher biomass production, can be an important factor in selection programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) is a flowering plant of the Iridaceae family A spice called saffron is obtained from the dried red stigmas of the flower and is used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, perfumery and textile industries. It has been grown in our country for a short time, but the areas with this culture are rapidly increasing. To date, no scientific research has been conducted on this type of plant in our country. In the present article, we summarize scientific observations on the influence of climatic factors, temperature, and air humidity on the honey qualities of the saffron crocus. We determined the amount of nectar and its sugar content, the amount of individual pollen from one flower, and the size and shape of the pollen grains in the pollen. We tracked the flowering period and the number of flowers against the age of the planted bulbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a geophytic plant which is one of the most commonly known medicinal and aromatic plant species in the world. The stigma of saffron is used for dye, food, or beverages additive and in the pharmacology industries. The saffron crocus has been cultivated in our country quite recently, but the areas with this crop are rapidly increasing. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice in the world. This plant species is propagated vegetatively through the formation of daughter corms from the mother one. The field experiment was conducted to determine the most suitable bulb size for saffron cultivation. In the present article, we summarize scientific observations on the influence of air factors on the development of saffron and the size of the bulbs, their mass and also the number of daughter bulbs. One of the most important organs for plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-prandial hyperglycemia typical of diabetes mellitus could be alleviated using plant-derived compounds such as polyphenols, which could influence the activities of enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion and of intestinal glucose transporters. Here, we report on the potential anti-hyperglycemic effect of Crocus sativus tepals compared to stigmas, within the framework of valorizing these by-products of the saffron industry, since the anti-diabetic properties of saffron are well-known, but not those of its tepals. In vitro assays showed that tepal extracts (TE) had a greater inhibitory action than stigma extracts (SE) on α-amylase activity (IC50: TE = 0.60 ± 0.09 mg/mL; SE = 1.10 ± 0.08 mg/mL; acarbose = 0.051 ± 0.07) and on glucose absorption in Caco-2 differentiated cells (TE = 1.20 ± 0.02 mg/mL; SE = 2.30 ± 0.02 mg/mL; phlorizin = 0.23 ± 0.01). Virtual screening performed with principal compounds from stigma and tepals of C. sativus and human pancreatic α-amylase, glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and sodium glucose co-transporter-1 (SGLT1) were validated via molecular docking, e.g., for human pancreatic α-amylase, epicatechin 3-o-gallate and catechin-3-o-gallate were the best scored ligands from tepals (−9.5 kcal/mol and −9.4 kcal/mol, respectively), while sesamin and episesamin were the best scored ones from stigmas (−10.1 kcal/mol). Overall, the results point to the potential of C. sativus tepal extracts in the prevention/management of diabetes, likely due to the rich pool of phytocompounds characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry, some of which are capable of binding and interacting with proteins involved in starch digestion and intestinal glucose transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights 1. Heart failure preserved ejection fraction increases the mortality rate every year. 2. Definitive therapy for HFpEF is not well identified. 3. Crocus sativus phytochemical has anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects due to iNOS and PDE-9 inhibition. Abstract Background: Heart failure preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex disease associated with metabolic disease as a risk factor. A previous study found an association between iNOS and PDE-9 with inflammation and myocardial fibrosis in HFpEF. Objective: This study aimed to identify the potential phytochemicals of Crocus sativus (Saffron) that can inhibit protein iNOS and PDE-9 based on a molecular docking study. Material and Method: A total of fifty phytochemicals were obtained from Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical Database and IJAH IPB. Those phytochemicals were screened by using the PyRx application and followed with Lipinski’s Rule of Five screening by using SWISS Adme. Ten phytochemicals with lowest binding energy for each protein were docked and visually analyzed using Autodock 4.2 and BIOVIA Discovery Studio Visualizer 2016. Results: The best binding energy between protein-phytochemicals were -9.17 kcal/mol and -8.55 kcal/mol for iNOS and -9.17 kcal,/mol and -9.08 kcal/mol for PDE-9. Conclusion: Delphinidine and malvidin are the recommended inhibitors against iNOS and PDE-9 and must be investigated in further research.

Background Saffron, derived from the stigmas of the Crocus Sativus flower, has been shown in several studies to improve mood and wellbeing in adults experiencing low mood and anxiety. The goals of this study were to examine its mental and physical effects in healthy, recreationally active adults. Methods In this 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 62 adults engaging in regular exercise were recruited and randomized to receive a placebo or 28 mg daily of a standardized saffron extract (affron®). Self-report outcome measures include the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, Profile of Mood States, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29. Participants also wore a wrist-worn heart rate, activity, and sleep monitoring device (WHOOP) to measure changes in sleep quality, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability. To help identify mechanisms of action associated with saffron intake, changes in plasma concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxytocin, and neuropeptide Y were also measured. Results Based on data collected from all participants, there were no statistically significant between-group differences in changes in any of the outcome measures. However, when changes were analyzed by sex, there were statistically significant greater increases in enjoyment associated with exercise (p =.009) and heart rate variability (p =.001) in male participants taking saffron compared to the placebo. No statistically significant between-group differences were identified in females. Conclusions The results of this trial suggest saffron may have beneficial effects in recreationally active males, as evidenced by increased exercise enjoyment and heart rate variability. However, no such benefits were identified in females. Future research using larger sample sizes, varying treatment periods, and additional outcome measures will be required to validate the results from this study and help clarify the mechanisms of action associated with saffron intake. This study was prospectively registered on 30 October 2020 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Trial ID. ACTRN12621000501842).

Objective: Traditional herbal plants have been in use since ancient times to treat ophthalmic conditions; so, the aim of this study is to evaluate some potent Indian traditional medicinal plants used in ophthalmic diseases in order to summarize their potential effect in ophthalmology along with their mechanism of action.Materials and Methods: Databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase were extensively explored. Additionally, relevant textbooks and literatures were consulted to summarize most of the considerable scientific literature for the review. Search term included ophthalmology, glaucoma, cataract, trachoma, conjunctivitis, traditional medicines, Unani drugs, and ayurvedic drugs were used. Around 80 review articles were consulted from the year 1982 to 2021.Results: The traditional medicinal plants are easily available, cost-effective and have no associated side effects in comparison to current conventional treatments. Moreover, these drugs in oppose to modern medicine, have an inherent potential to accelerate the body’s own immunity to fight against any infection. A large volume of scientific studies has reported the beneficial effects of traditional drugs in ophthalmology.Conclusion: This review, therefore, describes the potential benefits and uses of some traditional medicinal plants used in ophthalmic diseases.

Introduction: The link between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and heart disease has recently been reported. Previous studies have reported the beneficial role of endurance training (ET) and saffron (Sa) on the heart and nervous system health, but their interactive effect is not yet well known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine changes in some observational cardiac parameters and cardiac PGC1-α expression after 8 weeks of ET and Sa consumption in animal models of AD. Methods: In this experimental trial, 40 rats with AD (by intraperitoneal injection of 8 mg/kg neurotoxin trimethyltin) were divided into (1) AD, (2) sham (Sh), (3) Sa, (4) ET, and (5) ET+Sa groups. Additionally, to evaluate the effect of AD induction on the research variables, 8 healthy rats were included in the healthy control (HC) group. Groups 4 and 5 ran for 8 weeks, three 15-30 minute sessions per week at a speed of 20-15 m/min. Groups 3 and 5 received 25 mg/ kg aqueous extract of Sa peritoneally each day. To analyze the data, dependent samples t test, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test, analysis of covariance with Bonferroni’s post hoc test in SPSS version 22.0 were used (P≥0.05). Results: In the Sa and ET+Sa groups, heart weight, heart weight to body weight ratio, and cardiac PGC1-α expression were higher and the body weight of these groups was significantly lower compared with the AD group (P≤0.05). Moreover, in the ET group, heart weight was higher than body weight and total body weight was lower compared to the AD group (P≤0.05). Conclusion: It seems that Sa and ET+Sa interaction improve heart function and some parameters related to heart health by increasing PGC1-α expression, but the effect of training depends on its type and intensity, which should be further studied.

Objective: Saffron is a spice derived from the Crocus sativus L. with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This study aims to systematically review the systematic reviews (SRs) investigating the clinical neuropsychotropic effects of saffron.Materials and Methods: The protocol of this SR was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021268446). Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and PROSPERO were searched up to June 6, 2021, to find SRs investigating the neuropsychotropic effects of saffron. The primary outcome was a report on whether or not saffron was effective in each study. AMSTAR was checked for the included reviews.Results: Twenty-three studies were reviewed with a mean AMSTAR score of 6.08 (ranging from 1 to 10). Thirteen SRs investigated the effects of saffron on depression. Six of the SRs studied its impact on sexual dysfunction. Each of the anxiety and cognitive disorders was discussed in three distinct reviews. Furthermore, possible effects of saffron on some other disorders, like premenstrual syndrome, postpartum depression, sleep disorders, and snacking behavior, have been reported.Conclusion: Saffron is beneficial, safe, and tolerable in treating the mentioned neurological and psychiatric disorders. Further high-quality, large-scale studies are recommended to rectify the shortcomings.

In phytotherapy, research on the effects of components in plant extracts on various diseases gets increasing attention. Saffron is an herb with antioxidant effects, known to have an increasing significance due to its therapeutic effects. Safranal is one of the components of saffron extract. Here, we explored the effects of subchronic thinner inhalation on the oxidantantioxidant balance, the relation between toxicity and oxidative stress, and a possible protective effect of safranal against thinner toxication in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as follows: control (Gr. I), safranal (Gr. II), thinner (Gr. III) and thinner+safranal Gr. IV). Each group consisted of 10 rats, and the study lasted for 8 weeks. After completing the animal studies malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), toluol, 8OHdG (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine), protein oxidation, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, WBC, VLDL, RBC, HCT, Hb, aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels were determined from blood specimens of the rats. Brain and lung tissues were also examined histopathologically. The data obtained from the study were statistically analyzed using SPSS, and both ANCOVA and Bonferroni tests were performed. P <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. The results indicated that safranal had a protective and balancing effect against thinner inhalation oriented complications in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus used as a flavoring and coloring agent in the food industry which also possesses medicinal properties. In the current study, the optimum Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) conditions for separating picrocrocin and crocins from aqueous saffron extracts were investigated, using Rotatable-Central Composite Design (RCCD) in combination with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimized factors were volume of saffron extract (3 mL), elution solvent (15% v/v ACN/water for picrocrocin; and 50% v/v ACN/water for crocins), and volume of elution solvent (ACN/water) (10 mL). The response factor measured was the UV-Vis absorbance. The presence of picrocrocin and crocins in the solutions obtained from SPE was confirmed using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS). The above optimized SPE procedure provides economy in reagents and consumables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), being one of the distinguished commercial spice crops in the world, is in demand for its culinary, colorant, and pharmaceutical benefits. In this study, a novel indirect somatic embryogenesis (SE) system was, thus, established for the study of this plant. To this end, firstly, the lateral buds were cultured. Then, the cultures were transformed using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with either 6-benzyladenine (BA: 5 and 10 mg/L), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA: 0, 1, and 2 mg/L), or trans-zeatin (tZ: 0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L), before being classified into four structures: white globular (WG), yellow compact nodular (YCN), yellow-brown fragile (YBF), and dark-brown porous (DBP). As soon as BA (10 mg/L) and NAA (2 mg/L) were added, elevated percentages of white globular calli (56.8%) and white globular calli (31.5%) structures were induced. Additionally, 6-benzyladenine (5 mg/L) and naphthalene acetic acid (1 mg/L) allowed the formation of yellow-brown fragile structures, and the combination of 6-benzyladenine (10 mg/L) with trans-zeatin (1 mg/L) formed the DBP structures. After three months, the white globular calli were incubated using the MS basal medium, before being augmented with thidiazuron (TDZ: 1 mg/L) and picloram (PIC: 2 mg/L), from which 60% of the cases matured into shoots and, ultimately, cormlets. Morphoanatomical analyses also showed that the white globular calli cells were closely arranged, as they had a dense cytoplasm, a significant vascular differentiation, and embryoids. Furthermore, the yellow compact nodular structures were characterized by a strong differentiation capacity and contained many meristematic cells with high caryomitosis centers. We observed that the yellow-brown fragile calli had looser cell arrangements, with a vascular structure located on the protoderm edge, while there was no obvious cellular arrangement in the dark-brown porous structures. The induction of the adventitious buds in vivo on the MS medium that was supplemented with thidiazuron and picloram accordingly demonstrated the highest rates (60%) of white globular calli.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a natural compound and its constituents such as crocin, crocetin, and safranal have many pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antigenotoxic, anti-depressant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway plays an important role against inflammation, oxidative stress, and carcinogenesis. In the regulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1) is the most studied pathway. In this review, we gathered various studies and describe the pharmacological effects of saffron and its constituents with their related mechanisms of action, particularly the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In this review, we used search engines or electronic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed, without time limitation. The search keywords contained saffron, “Crocus sativus”, crocetin, crocin, safranal, picrocrocin, “nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2“, and Nrf2. Saffron and its constituents could have protective properties through various mechanisms particularly the Nrf2/HO-1/Keap1 signaling pathway in different tissues such as the liver, heart, brain, pancreas, lung, joints, colon, etc. The vast majority of studies discussed in this review indicate that saffron and its constituents could induce the Nrf2 signaling pathway leading to its anti-oxidant and therapeutic effects.

Abstract Objective Isolating high-quality RNA is a basic requirement while performing high throughput sequencing, microarray, and various other molecular investigations. However, it has been quite challenging to isolate RNA with absolute purity from plants like Crocus sativus that are rich in secondary metabolites, polysaccharides, and other interfering compounds which often irreversibly co-precipitate with the RNA. While many methods have been proposed for RNA extraction including CTAB, TriZol, and SDS-based methods, which invariably yield less and poor quality RNA and hence it necessitated the isolation of high-quality RNA suitable for high throughput applications. Results In the present study we made certain adjustments to the available protocols including modifications in the extraction buffer itself and the procedure employed. Our method led to the isolation of clear and non-dispersive total RNA with an RNA Integrity Number (RIN) value greater than 7.5. The quality of the RNA was further assessed by qPCR-based amplification of mRNA and mature miRNAs such as Cs-MIR166c and Cs-MIR396a.

Purpose: Moroccan saffron is considered among the best quality produce worldwide. Its main production zones in Morocco are Taliwine and Taznakht administrative districts, located in the semiarid and arid bioclimatic ranges. The present study objective is the chemical characterization of Moroccan saffron from the main producing counties in relation with climatic conditions, altitude, soil, and irrigation water. Research method: Saffron, soil and water samples were taken from 10 counties representing 80% of the production areas and underwent analysis using standard methods. Findings: Results showed that 80% of saffron samples are classified in category I, regarding crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal contents, according to the international standard ISO 3632-1. Soils supporting saffron cultivation are coarse and low in organic matter; their pH is alkaline and the EC low. Irrigation water is generally alkaline with low to very low EC. Statistical analysis showed that moderate altitude (1650-1900m) in the semiarid bio-climatic range had a positive effect on saffron quality (higher picrocrocin and crocin contents). Safranal was not influenced by altitude or by the bio-climate. Water and soil did not show any influence on saffron quality. Research limitations: As some cooperatives had organizational problems, it was not possible to get saffron samples from high altitude in the arid bioclimatic range in 2017 and 2018. Originality/Value: The most important value of the present work is the large number of samples distributed over three years and covering 80% of the production territory, which enabled to distinguish an effect of bio-climate and altitude on picrocrocin and crocin.

Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae) is the source of saffron, a traditional spice and herbal medicine, usually cultivated in Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean. Saffron is a new niche food and medicinal plant in Ukraine. An important area of production, namely the application of Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) principles for obtaining high-quality saffron raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry, has been evaluated. The study was conducted on a plantation in Lyubimovka village, Kherson Region in Ukraine, from 2016 to 2021. The research object was Crocus sativus and the quality management system in the cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants. The Ukrainian legislation on herbal drug production introduced guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO) ‘Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for Starting Materials of Herbal Origin’ in 2012. The Guidelines are recommendatory and not mandatory. However, these principles ensure that appropriate quality herbal raw materials are obtained. Implementing GACP principles with the example of saffron includes a description of the plant, sowing material, primary processing, sowing conditions, transportation and storage, packaging, quality control, and documentation. The presented results reflect the entire production process and show the prospects for obtaining high-quality raw materials. The study suggests the results of implementing the WHO GACP guidelines to guarantee the traceability of herbal raw materials and their reliable quality.

Crocus sativus is a triploid sterile plant with red stigmas belonging to family of Iridaceae, and sub family Crocoideae. Crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal are three major carotenoid derivatives that are responsible for color, taste and specific aroma of Crocus. Saffron flowers are harvested manually and used as spice, dye or medicinal applications. The natural propagation rate of most geophytes including saffron is relatively low. An in vitro multiplication technique like micropropagation has been used for the propagation of saffron. To understand the efficiency of this alternative and study the molecular basis of apocarotenoid biosynthesis/accumulation, the RT-PCR method was performed on perianth explants that were cultured on MS medium to observe the level of expression of zeaxanthin cleavage dioxygenase (CsZCD) gene during stigma development, and also the impact of soil EC on its expression. The present study was conducted at Plant molecular and physiology Lab, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran during 2011-2013. Stigma-like structures (SLSs) on calli were collected from immature perianth explants from floral buds of corms that were collected from Ghaen city, and compared to (Torbat-e Haidariye, Mardabad and Shahroud cities) for investigating the impact of different soil EC on CsZCD expression. The results indicated that CsZCD gene was highly expressed in fully developed red SLSs in perianth of cultured samples of Shahroud with the highest salinity. In this research, a close relationship between soil EC and second metabolites regulation is studied. Overall, these results will pave the way for understanding the molecular basis of apocarotenoid biosynthesis and other aspects of stigma development in C. sativus.

The usage of seaweed extracts in cropping systems is gaining attention nowadays due to their distinct bioactive properties. This study aims to assess how saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm production was affected by seaweed extract through different application modes. The study was conducted at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, HP, India, during the autumnwinter agricultural cycle. Five treatments using a combination of Kappaphycus and Sargassum seaweed extracts were replicated five times in a randomized block design. Treatments that were examined include T1: Control, T2: Corm dipping @ 5% seaweed extract, T3: Foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract, T4: Drenching @ 5% seaweed extract, and T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract. Seaweed extract, when applied to saffron plants (T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract) resulted in significantly higher growth parameters along with the higher dry weight of stem, leaves, corms, and total roots per corm. Corm production, viz., the number of daughter corms and corm weight per m2 was significantly affected by seaweed extract application, with the maximum value recorded with treatment T5. Biochemical parameters chlorophyll, carotenoids, and photosynthetic rate were higher in T5, while nutrient concentration was lowest in this treatment. Seaweed extracts improved corm production, making it a feasible alternative to limiting the application of conventional fertilizers, attenuating the effects on the environment, and enhancing corm number and weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy has faced a renewed interest in the production of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in recent times. However, little is known about the status of this agri-food chain. This exploratory study investigates saffron production (from agronomic to social and marketing aspects) in Italy through 162 interviews with farmers. A large part of them (38%) are young, often at a higher level of literacy (bachelor or master) and new entrants in the agricultural sector (data significantly higher than the average for Italian farms). In more than half the cases, saffron production is considered a complementary activity, with an average production of 332 g per farm per year. Saffron farms are spread throughout Italy and are generally located in hilly/sub-mountain areas (between 143 and 703 m a.s.l.). Only 1% of farmers use agrochemicals, and more than 90% do not need irrigation, while just 40% of farms are mechanized, saffron can then be considered a low-input and sustainable choice for farms in marginal areas. Farmers focus on a high-quality product, certified by quality and sustainability labels. However, supply chain coordination, and knowledge and innovation support should be further developed to promote this sustainable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus L., which has a special aroma, colour and odour influencing positively its economic value. In this context, ten saffron ecotypes were screened for their biochemical composition and antioxidant activity. The samples were also analysed using GC‐MS and LC‐MS to determine their content of volatile and phenolic compounds, respectively. The results revealed statistically significant differences among samples based on moisture (9.09%‐11.23%), total phenols (31.62‐62.71 mg EAG/g), total flavonoids (23.02‐40.02 mg ER/mg), total carotenoids (66.12‐155.05 μg/g), picrocrocin (88.99‐121.53), crocin (137.44‐228.39) and safranal (26.56‐53.04). The radical scavenging activity ranged from 17.09% to 29.53% for DPPH assay, and oscillated from 0.128 mmol AAE/g to 0.239 mmol AAE/g for ABTS test, while the ferric reducing antioxidant potency (FRAP) varied from 0.974 to 1.989 mmol Fe2+/g. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis identified 66 volatile compounds, among which the Safranal and Isophorone were the most abondant. The ES1 from Taliouine recorded a very distinct volatile composition compared to the others ecotypes with 22 authentic volatile compounds. Moreover, liquid chromatography‐ mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) analysis revealed 14 phenolic compounds with picrocrocin and crocin were found to be the major compounds. The principal component analysis classified the investigated ecotypes into two mean distinctive sets with ES1 and ES9 were distinguished as a single items. The α‐pinene, β‐pinene, limonene, anethole, acetic acid, ketoisophorone, isophorone, safranal, thymoquinone, total flavonoids, FRAP and total carotenoids, are the main discriminant variables. The two‐dimensional analysis of the clustered heatmaps divided showed a relatively similar patterns as the principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmed the singularity of the sample ES1 based on its particular volatile profile dominated mainly by α‐terpinyl acetate, methyleugenol, copaene, anethole, limonene, methyl‐cyclopentane, which were not identified in the other samples even at minor levels. These findings herein found revealed the high quality of Moroccan saffron, which is very important for the species breeding and valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The saffron phenylpropane synthesis pathway and Fusarium oxysporum cell wall-degrading enzymes play key roles in their early interactions. Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a highly important crop with diverse medicinal properties. F. oxysporum is a widely-distributed soil-borne fungus, causing the serious saffron rot disease. Currently, there is no effective management strategy to control this disease because of no resistant cultivars and limited information about the resistance and pathogenic mechanisms. In this study, we first characterized the infection process and physiological responses of saffron infected by F. oxysporum. The molecular mechanism of these infection interactions was revealed by dual RNA-seq analysis. On the 3rd day of infection, the hyphae completely entered, colonized and spread in the corm cells; while on the 6th day of infection, hyphae had appeared in the xylem cells, blocking these vessels. Transcriptome results indicate that within the host, phenylpropanoid metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction and plant pathogen interaction pathways were activated during infection. These pathways were conducive to the enhancement of cell wall, the occurrence of hypersensitivity, and the accumulation of various antibacterial proteins and phytoantitoxins. Meanwhile, in the fungus, many up-regulated genes were related to F. oxysporum cell wall degrading enzymes, toxin synthesis and pathogenicity gene, showing its strong pathogenicity. This study provides new ideas for the control of saffron corm rot, and also provides a theoretical basis for mining the key functional genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corm rot of saffron caused by Fusarium oxysporum (Fox) has been reported to be the most destructive fungal disease of the herb globally. The pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum R1 (Fox R1) isolated by our group from Kashmir, India, was found to be different from Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli commonly reported corm rot agent of saffron. In the present study, Fox R1 was further characterized using housekeeping genes and pathogenicity tests, as Fusarium oxysporum R1 f.sp. iridacearum race 4. Though Fox R1 invaded the saffron plant through both corm and roots, the corm was found to be the preferred site of infection. In addition, the route of pathogen movement wastracked by monitoring visual symptoms, semi-quantitative PCR, quantitative-PCR (q-PCR), real-time imaging of egfp-tagged Fusarium oxysporum R1, and Fox R1 load quantification. This study is the first study of its kind on the bidirectional pathogenesis from corm to roots and vice-versa, as the literature only reports unidirectional upward movement from roots to other parts of the plant. In addition, the colonization pattern of Fox R1 in saffron corms and roots was studied. The present study involved a systematic elucidation of the mode and mechanism of pathogenesis in the saffron Fusarium oxysporum strain R1 pathosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: One of the traditional aphrodisiacs used in various cultures is Crocus sativus, commonly called saffron. Previous studies have pointed to the possible applicability of saffron for sexual dysfunction in both men and women. This study investigates the effects of saffron capsules on female sexual dysfunction.Materials and Methods: This study was a parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants, who were married women between 18 and 55 years of age suffering from severe sexual dysfunction, were randomized to receive either 15 mg Crocus sativus capsules twice daily or placebo. The treatment continued for 6 weeks, and patients were evaluated every 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the female sexual function index score. Other outcomes included the female sexual function index sub-domains.Results: Seventy-four patients were equally randomized to each group, and 34 in each group completed the trial. Participants in both groups experienced improved total scores at each visit. However, a repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that time ´ treatment differed between groups in favor of the saffron group (p=0.050). During the 6th week follow-up, the saffron group had a 62% score improvement from baseline. Desire, lubrication, and satisfaction were female sexual function index domains in which saffron demonstrated superiority over placebo. The adverse event profile was similar for the groups, and no participant discontinued treatment.Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that saffron might be a safe and effective option to ameliorate female sexual dysfunction. Further robust research is warranted.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) remains among the most costly spices worldwide due to its invaluable properties. Traditional breeding methods are restricted by saffron's male sterility and clonal multiplication, which may result in genetic deterioration and make genetic diversity within saffron populations cryptic. To overcome this cryptic diversity, we conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis of sixteen saffron accessions from Morocco, France, Greece, and Italy using two universal DNA barcodes: ITS2 and trnH-psbA. Our findings unveiled significant genetic diversity among examined accessions, characterized by considerable sequence variation. This led to the identification of a notable number of haplotypes (14 and 15) with a high haplotype diversity (HD) = 0.9, signifying extensive genetic variability. Moreover, Phylogenetic and network analyses illustrated distinct genetic clusters and evolutionary relationships among saffron populations, separating our accessions from Iranian saffron. Besides, Pairwise distance and principal component analyses confirmed the unique genetic profiles of the Assif Zimer population from Morocco. Notably, the study explores environmental factors as potential contributors to genetic differences across different regions. Finally, the assessment of ITS2 secondary structures and the generation of Two-Dimensional DNA Barcodes provided unique identities to accessions and gave valuable insights into sequence variability and molecular identification. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of saffron genetics and provides essential information for conservation projects. • Application of two-locus DNA barcoding (ITS2, trnH-psbA) in saffron for genetic diversity assessment. • Substantial genetic variation in Crocus sativus , with trnH-psbA showing greater variability than ITS2. • Evolutionary insights from Neighbor-Joining tree analysis reveal distinct saffron genetic clusters. • Using PCA for genetic relationships visualization and 2D barcoding for electronic accession identification. • Providing insights for enhancing saffron conservation and productivity strategies through genetic diversity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Inhaled paraquat induced lung injury and inflammation in rat. • Crocus sativus and pioglitazone treatment alone improved lung and systemic inflammation. • Crocus sativus and pioglitazone treatment alone improved memory impairment induced by inhaled PQ. • Crocus sativus showed synergic effects with pioglitazone. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Crocus sativus (Cs) on paraquat (PQ)-induced learning and memory deficits as well as brain and lung oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress in rats. Rats were exposed to saline (Ctrl) or PQ (PQ groups) aerosols. PQ groups were treated with 0.03 mg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dexa), 20 and 80 mg/kg/day Cs-L and Cs-H, 5 mg/kg/day pioglitazone (Pio), and Cs-L+Pio for 16 days during PQ exposure period. Learning and memory abilities were assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance tests. PQ group showed increased numbers of total and differential WBCs in blood, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA), in the serum, brain, and lung but reduced thiol, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels compared to the control group (for all, p < 0.001). The escape latency and traveled distance were increased in the PQ group. However, the time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM test and the latency to enter the dark room were reduced after receiving an electrical shock (p < 0.05 to P<0.001). In all treated groups, measured values were improved compared to PQ group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The combination of Cs-L+Pio showed more pronounced effects compared to either treatment alone (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). These findings suggest that Cs has neuroprotective properties and may be beneficial in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases induced by noxious agents such as PQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crocus sativus L. is a perennial crop for its valuable active compounds. Plant-associated microbes impact on the quality and efficacy of medicinal herbs by promoting bioactive components accumulation. However, how microbes influence the accumulation of bioactive components in saffron have not been well studied. Here, the microbiome in C. sativus derived from 3 core production areas were deciphered by 16S rDNA sequencing and the relationship between endophytes and bioactive ingredients were further investigated. The main results are as follows: (1) Both Comamonadaceae and Burkholderiaceae were positively correlated with the content of bioactive components in the stigmas. (2) The synthesis of crocin was positively correlated with Xanthomonadaceae , negatively correlated with Lachnospiraceae and Prevotellaceae. Therefore, further investigation is required to determine whether Xanthomonadaceae plays an unknown function in the synthesis of crocin. These findings provide guidelines for disentangling the function of endophytes in the production of bioactive ingredients and thus for microbe-mediated breeding. • C. sativus from various production regions has distinct active components. • The synthesis of crocin was positively correlated with endophytic bacteria. • Comamonadaceae were positively correlated with the content of bioactive components. • Synthesis pathway of active components with endophytes needs further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]