Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Saffron (Crocus Sativus) As a Middle East Herb: Traditional and Modern Medicinal Applications Publisher



Shojaei M1 ; Bagherniya M1 ; Askari G1 ; Alikiaii B2 ; Emami SA3 ; Gumpricht E4 ; Sahebkar A5
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Food Security Research Center and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition & Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Anesthesia and Critical Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
  4. 4. Isagenix International, LLC, Gilbert, AZ, United States
  5. 5. Applied Biomedical Research Center, Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Department of Biotechnology School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Source: Ancient and Traditional Foods, Plants, Herbs and Spices used in the Middle East Published:2023


Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a popular spice belonging to the crocus-related family Iridaceae and has been a culinary staple for thousands of years. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices, originating in the Middle East, Central Asia, Mediterranean, and Greece. In traditional and modern medicine, saffron is considered a unique herb with enormous health benefits. For example, saffron exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulating, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, and antidiabetic properties. It has attracted significant attention in preventing and treating several human conditions, including cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, neurological disorders, psychological conditions, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and other diseases. This review discusses the potential beneficial effects of saffron and its primary bioactive constituent, particularly crocin, on different aspects of human health and a wide range of disorders. Results of randomized clinical controlled trials indicated that saffron might use as a natural, safe, and accessible agent to treat several conditions, especially mental disorders such as depression. It also can be used as a safe agent to increase the quality of sleep and life. The beneficial effects of saffron on metabolic and chronic diseases were also shown, though the number of clinical trials is insufficient to make a definitive conclusion. In addition, some adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal side effects, were reported by some of the studies. Future studies should focus on the optimum dose, differences between saffron and crocin, the best duration for intervention, and identify the potential adverse effects regarding supplementation with saffron/crocin in different diseases. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Victor R. Preedy, Vinood B. Patel, and Rajkumar Rajendram; individual chapters, the contributors.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Spices and Biomarkers of Covid-19: A Mechanistic and Therapeutic Perspective, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (2023)
2. Clinical Evidence on the Effects of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review Meta-Analysis, Pharmacological Research (2019)
3. Therapeutic Effects of Saffron and Its Components on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Heliyon (2024)
4. The Beneficial Effects of Crocin Supplementation on Metabolic and Genetic Parameters in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Under Metformin Treatment: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal of Functional Foods (2024)
5. Saffron and Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials, Nutrition and Metabolic Insights (2023)
6. Crocin Supplementation on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Phytotherapy Research (2025)
7. Saffron Supplementation Effects on Glycemic Indices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials, International Journal of Food Properties (2020)
8. The Effect of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) Supplementation on Renal Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials, International Journal of Clinical Practice (2022)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Mohammad Bagherniya (22)
Gholamreza Askari (13)
Other Related Docs
9. The Effect of Saffron Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Adults: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Nutrients (2021)
10. Crocus Sativus L. (Saffron) Versus Sertraline on Symptoms of Depression Among Older People With Major Depressive Disorders–A Double-Blind, Randomized Intervention Study, Psychiatry Research (2019)
11. The Effect of Saffron Consumption on Liver Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials; [Die Auswirkung Von Safrankonsum Auf Die Leberfunktion: Eine Systematische Ubersichtsarbeit], Complementary Medicine Research (2021)
12. Exploring Curcumin's Healing Properties in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis, Food Bioscience (2024)
13. Effects of Aqueous Saffron Extract on Glucoregulation As Well As Hepatic Agt and Tnf‑Α Gene Expression in Rats Subjected to Sub‑Chronic Stress, Advanced Biomedical Research (2023)
14. Saffron and Depression, Bioactive Compounds in Health and Disease (2021)
15. Nephrotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity Evaluation of Crocus Sativus Stigmas in Neonates of Nursing Mice, Journal of Nephropathology (2014)
16. The Effects of Alcoholic Extract of Saffron (Crocus Satious L.) on Mild to Moderate Comorbid Depression-Anxiety, Sleep Quality, and Life Satisfaction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Double-Blind, Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2018)
17. The Effects of Phytochemicals and Herbal Bio-Active Compounds on Tumour Necrosis Factor-Α in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Clinical Review, Inflammopharmacology (2022)
18. The Impact of Curcumin on Migraine: A Comprehensive Review, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy (2023)
19. Saffron Improves Life and Sleep Quality, Glycaemic Status, Lipid Profile and Liver Function in Diabetic Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomised Clinical Trial, International Journal of Clinical Practice (2021)
20. Curcumin-Piperine Co-Supplementation and Human Health: A Comprehensive Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies, Phytotherapy Research (2023)
21. The Clinical Use of Curcumin on Neurological Disorders: An Updated Systematic Review of Clinical Trials, Phytotherapy Research (2021)
22. Effects of Cinnamon on Anthropometric Indices and Headache-Related Disability of Patients With Migraine: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine (2024)
23. The Effects of Phytosomal Curcumin Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms, and Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Patients With Migraine: A Protocol for a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine (2023)
24. The Efficacy of Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials, Phytotherapy Research (2022)
25. The Effectiveness of Nano-Curcumin on Patients With Covid-19: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials, Phytotherapy Research (2023)
26. The Effectiveness of Phytosomal Curcumin on Inflammation in Patients With Multiple Trauma Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial; [بررسی اثر مکمل کورکومین فیتوزومال بر التهاب در بیماران مولتیپل ترومای بستری در بخشمراقبتهای ویژه], Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2025)
27. The Effectiveness of Phytosomal Curcumin on Clinical and Laboratory Parameters of Patients With Multiple Trauma Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)
28. Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Natural Products As Inhibitors of Nlrp3 Inflammasome, Phytotherapy Research (2021)
29. The Effects of Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Natural Compounds on Homocysteine, Molecules (2021)
30. The Effect of Cucurbita Consumption on Non-Communicable Diseases, Cucurbita: Biology, Distribution and Habitat (2020)
31. New Concepts in Nutraceuticals As Alternative for Pharmaceuticals, International Journal of Preventive Medicine (2014)
32. The Effects of Herbal Medicines on Cancer Therapy-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Literature Review, Phytotherapy Research (2022)
33. Efficacy of Curcumin Plus Piperine Co-Supplementation in Moderate-To-High Hepatic Steatosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Phytotherapy Research (2023)
34. The Efficacy of Curcumin-Piperine Co-Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms, Duration, Severity, and Inflammatory Factors in Covid-19 Outpatients: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Trials (2022)
35. The Beneficial Therapeutic Effects of Plant-Derived Natural Products for the Treatment of Sarcopenia, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (2022)
36. Comparative Study of Anti-Diabetic Effects of Insulin, Epigenin and Salvia Mirzayanii Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats, Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics (2023)
37. Rosemary and Its Protective Potencies Against Covid-19 and Other Cytokine Storm Associated Infections: A Molecular Review, Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (2021)
38. The Effect of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) Hydro-Alcoholic Extract on Liver and Renal Functions in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Double-Blinded Randomized and Placebo Control Trial, Journal of Nutrition and Intermediary Metabolism (2017)
39. Evaluating Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Citrus Medica L. Pulp and Peel on Rat Model of Acute Colitis, Research Journal of Pharmacognosy (2023)
40. The Effect of Hydroalcoholic Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) Extract on Fasting Plasma Glucose, Hba1c, Lipid Profile, Liver, and Renal Function Tests in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial, Phytotherapy Research (2019)
41. Evidence for Rosa Damascena Efficacy in Mental Disorders in Preclinical Animal Studies and Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review, Phytotherapy Research (2022)
42. Therapeutic Potential of Berries in Age-Related Neurological Disorders, Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024)
43. Comparative Evaluation of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Effects of Escitalopram, Crocin, and Their Combination in Rats, Advanced Biomedical Research (2024)
44. Evaluation of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Saffron, Crocus Sativus L., and Its Constituents, Safranal and Crocin in Allodynia and Hyperalgesia Induced by Chronic Constriction Injury Model of Neuropathic Pain in Rats, Fitoterapia (2012)
45. Possible Role of Common Spices As a Preventive and Therapeutic Agent for Alzheimer’S Disease, International Journal of Preventive Medicine (2017)
46. Effects of Cinnamon, Cardamom, Saffron, and Ginger Consumption on Markers of Glycemic Control, Lipid Profile, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Patients, The review of diabetic studies : RDS (2014)
47. Hepatotoxicity Effects of Medicinal Plants, New Armenian Medical Journal (2024)
48. Curcuma Longa: A Review of Therapeutic Effects in Traditional and Modern Medical References, Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2016)
49. Saffron for the Management of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Advanced Biomedical Research (2020)
50. From Kitchen to Clinic: Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Common Spices in Indian Cooking in Age-Related Neurological Disorders, Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022)