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Modification of Retina Light Damage by Saffron Publisher



Rezaei M1 ; Robati RM2 ; Razzagh Z3 ; Arjmand B4, 5 ; Rostami Nejad M6 ; Bandarian F7 ; Razi F8 ; Rezaei Tavirani M9
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Genomic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Iranian Cancer Control Center (MACSA), Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Celiac Disease and Gluten Related Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  8. 8. Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  9. 9. Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Research Journal of Pharmacognosy Published:2025


Abstract

Background and objectives: Saffron is a known flavor with medicinal properties. Persian and Chinese medicines use saffron to treat several diseases. Saffron has neuroprotective and various other effects. In the present study the combinatory effects of saffron together with intensive light exposure were studied. Methods: Data are derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and assessed via R program. The significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including the individuals related to net effect of light exposure, the compensated dysregulated genes by saffron, and the genes associated to the combinatory effects of saffron and light exposure were determined and analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and gene ontology to find the affected critical biological processes. Results: Eighty-five genes dysregulated by light exposure in presence and absence of saffron in Sprague Dawley rats retina. Saffron protected 20 DEGs from light damage. “Cellular response to retinoic acid” and “lymphocyte chemotaxis” were pointed out as the crucial protected biological processes. A number of 559 DEGs including 20 hub-bottlenecks with combinatory effect of saffron and light were identified. Nitric oxide production, gene silencing by miRNAs, regulation of necrotic cell death and apoptosis appeared as related events to combinatory effects of saffron treatment and light exposure in mice. Conclusion: The positive alteration in nitric oxide, the effects on gene silencing by miRNAs, and alteration in cell death are the affected phenomena in response to combinatory effects of light and saffron in mouse retina. These findings open new window about ability of saffron to regulate basic functions in body. © 2025. Open access.
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