This document summarizes a review article about saffron and its potential role in regulating metabolic functions related to obesity. Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus flowers and contains bioactive compounds like crocin, crocetin, and picrocrocin that have strong antioxidant properties. The review examines evidence that saffron may beneficially alter obesity pathophysiology by reducing levels of glucose, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol; increasing energy expenditure and fat oxidation; and lowering body weight and adiposity. It also discusses saffron's anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic effects. However, more studies are needed to
Effect of Piper crocatum Extract Against Weight Loss and Liver Enzyme Levels ...iosrphr_editor
Piper crocatum is one of Indonesian medicinal plant that contain flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins. Aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of Piper crocatum aqueous extract against a decrease in body weight (BW) and the activity of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism (AMPK, ACC, FAS) in liver obese rats. This study used four groups of Sprague dawley rat (n = 6), including normal group (N), obese controls (OC), Piper crocatum extract dose 1260 mg/kgBW (PcA), and Piper crocatum extract dose of 1890 mg/kgBW (PcB). Measurement of metabolic liver enzyme levels (AMPK, ACC, FAS) are using ELISA kit (CusabioTM). Results of this study showed that the PcA group produce the highest reduction in body weight (4.52%), and the lowest levels of ACC (9.13 ng/g) and FAS (360.68 ng/g) which was significantly different from obese control group (95% CI). Piper crocatum extract can't activate AMPK. The highest levels in rat liver AMPK is in N group with 8.42 ng/g, but this value is not significantly different from other groups.
Diabetes is a multifactorial disease leading to several complications, and therefore demands a multiple therapeutic approach. Patients of diabetes either do not make enough insulin or their cells do not respond to insulin. In case of total lack of insulin, patients are given insulin injections. Whereas in case of those where cells do not respond to insulin many different drugs are developed taking into consideration possible disturbances in carbohydrate-metabolism. For example, to manage post-prandial hyper-glycaemia at digestive level, glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose, miglitol and voglibose are used. These inhibit degradation of carbohydrates there by reducing the glucose absorption by the cells. To enhance glucose uptake by peripheral cells biguanide such as metformin is used. Sulphonylureas, like glibenclamide, is insulinotropic and work as secretogogue for pancreatic cells. Although several therapies are in use for treatment, there are certain limitations due to high cost and side effects such as development of hypoglycemia, weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances, liver toxicity etc. Based on recent advances and involvement of oxidative stress in complicating diabetes mellitus, efforts are on to find suitable antidiabetic and antioxidant therapy.
Medicinal plants are being looked upon once again for the treatment of diabetes. Many conventional drugs have been derived from prototypic molecules in medicinal plants. Metformin exemplifies an efficacious oral glucose-lowering agent. To date, over 400 traditional plant treatments for diabetes have been reported, although only a small number of these have received scientific and medical evaluation to assess their efficacy. The hypoglycemic effect of some herbal extracts has been confirmed in human and animal models of type 2 diabetes. The World Health Organization Expert Committee on diabetes has recommended that traditional medicinal herbs be further investigated. The present paper Reviews the Role of Insulike tablets developed by R&D cell of Lactonova Nutripharm Pvt Ltd. Hyderabad in the role of herbal nutraceutical drug INSULIKE, A nutriphenotypic approach for the treatment of diabetes.
Igennus are excited to announce the launch of our new product, Longvida® Curcumin. During this webinar, Dr Bailey reviews the research behind the therapeutic use of curcumin and why Longvida is the world’s most advanced formulation of the nutrient.
Curcumin is a polyphenol compound obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric. This Indian spice has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for inflammatory conditions. Curcumin is well documented for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Although it has been shown to be safe at high doses (12g/d), it is poorly absorbed, undergoes rapid intestinal and hepatic metabolism and is rapidly eliminated from the body. As such, standard curcumin demonstrates poor bioavailability, even at high doses, limiting its therapeutic potential.
After much research and discussion (it’s a big and complicated topic!) between the Igennus nutrition scientists, the decision as to which type of curcumin we would use for our Synergistic Nutrients range was actually a very straightforward one. Longvida Curcumin utilises a novel delivery system (SLCP), which protects curcumin from the harsh environment of the stomach and promotes its rapid absorption into the bloodstream and target tissues, even at low doses – resulting in an incredible 285x superior bioavaibility compared with standard curcumin, 65x higher peak plasma levels and 7x longer-lasting action. Longvida is the only formulation proven to deliver high levels of free form, unconjugated curcumin, into the bloodstream. Free form curcumin is the form required for therapeutic benefits, and the only form proven to cross the blood brain barrier.
This webinar covers:
- What curcumin is, what it does and how?
- Why free form curcumin is essential for therapeutic effects
- The research and current evidence for Longvida Curcumin’s unique health benefits
- How Longvida overcomes significant bioavailability issues associated with curcumin use
- To who, why and when you should recommend curcumin
…and more.
Curcumin, the compound responsible for the yellow color of turmeric has much more to offer than just its color. Curcumin comes with a plethora of health benefits which makes it a hot topic in the nutraceutical industry. Unleash the world of curcumin and see the reasons why you need to spice it up!
Effect of Piper crocatum Extract Against Weight Loss and Liver Enzyme Levels ...iosrphr_editor
Piper crocatum is one of Indonesian medicinal plant that contain flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins. Aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of Piper crocatum aqueous extract against a decrease in body weight (BW) and the activity of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism (AMPK, ACC, FAS) in liver obese rats. This study used four groups of Sprague dawley rat (n = 6), including normal group (N), obese controls (OC), Piper crocatum extract dose 1260 mg/kgBW (PcA), and Piper crocatum extract dose of 1890 mg/kgBW (PcB). Measurement of metabolic liver enzyme levels (AMPK, ACC, FAS) are using ELISA kit (CusabioTM). Results of this study showed that the PcA group produce the highest reduction in body weight (4.52%), and the lowest levels of ACC (9.13 ng/g) and FAS (360.68 ng/g) which was significantly different from obese control group (95% CI). Piper crocatum extract can't activate AMPK. The highest levels in rat liver AMPK is in N group with 8.42 ng/g, but this value is not significantly different from other groups.
Diabetes is a multifactorial disease leading to several complications, and therefore demands a multiple therapeutic approach. Patients of diabetes either do not make enough insulin or their cells do not respond to insulin. In case of total lack of insulin, patients are given insulin injections. Whereas in case of those where cells do not respond to insulin many different drugs are developed taking into consideration possible disturbances in carbohydrate-metabolism. For example, to manage post-prandial hyper-glycaemia at digestive level, glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose, miglitol and voglibose are used. These inhibit degradation of carbohydrates there by reducing the glucose absorption by the cells. To enhance glucose uptake by peripheral cells biguanide such as metformin is used. Sulphonylureas, like glibenclamide, is insulinotropic and work as secretogogue for pancreatic cells. Although several therapies are in use for treatment, there are certain limitations due to high cost and side effects such as development of hypoglycemia, weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances, liver toxicity etc. Based on recent advances and involvement of oxidative stress in complicating diabetes mellitus, efforts are on to find suitable antidiabetic and antioxidant therapy.
Medicinal plants are being looked upon once again for the treatment of diabetes. Many conventional drugs have been derived from prototypic molecules in medicinal plants. Metformin exemplifies an efficacious oral glucose-lowering agent. To date, over 400 traditional plant treatments for diabetes have been reported, although only a small number of these have received scientific and medical evaluation to assess their efficacy. The hypoglycemic effect of some herbal extracts has been confirmed in human and animal models of type 2 diabetes. The World Health Organization Expert Committee on diabetes has recommended that traditional medicinal herbs be further investigated. The present paper Reviews the Role of Insulike tablets developed by R&D cell of Lactonova Nutripharm Pvt Ltd. Hyderabad in the role of herbal nutraceutical drug INSULIKE, A nutriphenotypic approach for the treatment of diabetes.
Igennus are excited to announce the launch of our new product, Longvida® Curcumin. During this webinar, Dr Bailey reviews the research behind the therapeutic use of curcumin and why Longvida is the world’s most advanced formulation of the nutrient.
Curcumin is a polyphenol compound obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric. This Indian spice has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for inflammatory conditions. Curcumin is well documented for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Although it has been shown to be safe at high doses (12g/d), it is poorly absorbed, undergoes rapid intestinal and hepatic metabolism and is rapidly eliminated from the body. As such, standard curcumin demonstrates poor bioavailability, even at high doses, limiting its therapeutic potential.
After much research and discussion (it’s a big and complicated topic!) between the Igennus nutrition scientists, the decision as to which type of curcumin we would use for our Synergistic Nutrients range was actually a very straightforward one. Longvida Curcumin utilises a novel delivery system (SLCP), which protects curcumin from the harsh environment of the stomach and promotes its rapid absorption into the bloodstream and target tissues, even at low doses – resulting in an incredible 285x superior bioavaibility compared with standard curcumin, 65x higher peak plasma levels and 7x longer-lasting action. Longvida is the only formulation proven to deliver high levels of free form, unconjugated curcumin, into the bloodstream. Free form curcumin is the form required for therapeutic benefits, and the only form proven to cross the blood brain barrier.
This webinar covers:
- What curcumin is, what it does and how?
- Why free form curcumin is essential for therapeutic effects
- The research and current evidence for Longvida Curcumin’s unique health benefits
- How Longvida overcomes significant bioavailability issues associated with curcumin use
- To who, why and when you should recommend curcumin
…and more.
Curcumin, the compound responsible for the yellow color of turmeric has much more to offer than just its color. Curcumin comes with a plethora of health benefits which makes it a hot topic in the nutraceutical industry. Unleash the world of curcumin and see the reasons why you need to spice it up!
Contains curcuminoids such as curcumin (diferuloylmethane), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin Free radical mediated Useful against skin infections; Treat boils efficiently
Protects skin from the damaging effects of UV B radiation
Reduce formation of wrinkles on the skin; anti-ageing
Estudio científico de la UV demuestra los beneficios de consumir arándanos an...Emisor Digital
La investigación, realizada por las académicas de la Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética de la Universidad de Valparaíso Ximena Palma y Samanta Thomas, junto al doctor Gonzalo Cruz, del Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI) y académico del Instituto de Fisiología de la UV, apuntó a evaluar el manejo de la glucosa posprandial (después de las comidas) y la capacidad antioxidante de los arándanos frescos.
"Oral administration of nano-emulsion curcumin suppresses LPS-induced NFkB si...Nicholas Young
Sildes from a portion of my talk per invitation of the Physiology research group at aTyr Pharma June 1-3, 2014, San Diego, CA. Subsequently, this project has translated to a human clinical trial of this patented anti-inflammatory drug (nanoemulsified curcumin; patented through my collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology at Ohio State).
The IOSR Journal of Pharmacy (IOSRPHR) is an open access online & offline peer reviewed international journal, which publishes innovative research papers, reviews, mini-reviews, short communications and notes dealing with Pharmaceutical Sciences( Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Drug Design, Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacy Practice, Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, Cell Biology, Genomics and Proteomics, Pharmacogenomics, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Interest........more details on Aim & Scope).
All manuscripts are subject to rapid peer review. Those of high quality (not previously published and not under consideration for publication in another journal) will be published without delay.
Healing Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Guava (Psidium guajava) Leaf on ...Dr. Anuj S Parihar
Oral mucositis (OM) is a common inflammatory complication among cancerous patients as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the healing effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium
Guajava leaf on oral induced mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil using histopathologic and tissue antioxidative markers assessment in male dark brown rats. In a prospective randomized double blind animal study, OM was induced in 64 male dark brown rats that allocated in 4 groups by 5-FU (60 mg/kg) on days 0, 5, and 10 of the study. The cheek pouch was scratched with a sterile needle on once daily on days 3 and 4. Starting from day 12, gel base, topical form and 600 mg/kg dietry form of hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium Guajava leaf were administered per day. Pouch histopathology score, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity were evaluated on day 14 and 18. DPPH scavenging activity and total phenolic content also were measured. Histopathology scores of mucositis were lower in the systemic and topical treatment groups than the gel base and control groups (P<0.05). Higher activities of SOD, GPX and TAC were detected in the topical and systemic treatment groups in comparison to the others (P<0.05). The extract was rich in total phenolic content as antioxidant. The use of extract of Psidium Guajava leave may be associated with reduced intensity of OM, increased concentration of SOD, GPX and TAC on induced
OM in dark brown rats undergoing 5-FU consumption.
Biopharmaceutical classification system & drug delivery system associated wit...PratikShinde120
Biopharmaceutical classification system & drug delivery system based on BCS.
By Pratik shinde, Mpharm, University department of pharmaceutical sciences, Nagpur
Where buy Moringa Powder from Pakistan?
Moringa Pakistan providing the super food moringa pure to all Pakistan. You may order your details to whatsapp +92 302 4184220 or submit this form. https://forms.gle/cyb85w9zdGtQus2j9
website: https://moringa-pakistan.business.site/
Effect of Ethanol Leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on hepatic markers in s...PUBLISHERJOURNAL
Chromolaena odorata is one of the medicinal plants that have served all through the ages as the mainstay in the treatment and preservation of human health. This research was designed to determine the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on hepatic markers (ALT, ALP, AST, GGT and bilirubin) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar albino rats. All chemicals and reagents used in this study were of analytical grade. Diabetes was induced through intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) single dose of 70mg/kg body weight (b.w). Forty eight (48) rats were randomly distributed into six (6) groups of 8 rats each as follows: Group 1 were diabetic rats that were given 0.5ml normal saline, rats in group 2 were diabetic rats treated with 0.5mg glibenclamide, rats in group 3 were neither induced nor treated while rats in groups 4-6 were diabetic rats treated with graded doses of 250 mg/kg, 350mg/kg and 450mg/kg b.w of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata, respectively. Blood glucose level and hepatic markers were assayed using standard biochemical methods. The study lasted for 21 days. After an overnight fast, blood samples were collected from the animals after anaesthesia via cardiac puncture. STZ injection led to increase in glucose and bilirubin levels as well as the activities of ALT, ALP, AST and GGT. Interestingly, rats in groups 4, 5 and 6 treated with graded doses of 250 mg/kg, 350mg/kg and 450mg/kg b.w of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata recorded significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activities of these enzymes and level of bilirubin when compared with the positive control rats (group 1). Also, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) when group 3 rats (normal rats) and group 2 (treated with glibenclamide) were compared with groups 4-6 rats treated with graded doses of ethanol extract extracts group. In conclusion, the results from this research indicated that ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata lowered the activities of liver enzymes and level of bilirubin in STZ-induced diabetic wistar albino rats. The findings in this study suggest that Chromolaena odorata ethanol root extract possess hepatoprotective potentials and hence can be used to ameliorate hepatic dysfunction-associated diseases. Further study is however advocated to unravel the mechanism of action of this plant.
Keywords: Chromolaena odorata, medicinal plants, streptozotocin, Diabetes mellitus, hepatic markers.
Cancer Chemoprevention by Flavonoids, Dietary Polyphenols and Terpenoids Dr Varruchi Sharma
The world population is aging, and cancer is always considered to be one of the major causes of death all over the globe. The advent of recent drug-targeted therapies undoubtedly is going to reduce the incidence of cancer over the coming years. However, the frequency of occurrence of such chronic diseases like cancer would continue to increase. Therefore, the search for a safer and cost-effective treatment is urgently needed. Phytochemicals found in plants, foods, vegetables, tea, etc. have emerged as proven therapeutic compounds modulating signaling pathways involved in cancer. We carried out a structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature using the keywords: cancer chemoprevention, flavonoids, dietary polyphenols, terpenoids, bioactive, microbiota. Quality of the retrieved papers and characteristic outcomes of the articles included in the study was assessed by employing standard tools and deductive qualitative content analysis methodology. The development of personalized supplements comprising particular phytochemicals has been the key, especially dealing with chronic inflammatory disorders like cancer. Better understanding at the molecular level explains the influence of phytochemicals on human health, which has been extensively covered through this review. Moreover, the wide collection of dietary polyphenols that has significant properties in reference to human health has been highlighted. Furthermore, the etiology of end products of such phytochemicals, especially on the modulation of gut microbiota and the host-microbial interactions thereof, need to be properly understood. The present study summarizes the chemoprevention and treatment of cancer using the bioactive components, including flavonoids, dietary polyphenols, and terpenoids. Likewise, the effect of dietary polyphenols on the human gut microbiota has been realized more recently. However, more research is needed in this field, especially focused on the communications, interlinks between the gut microbiota and polyphenols with the precise mechanism of action.
Contains curcuminoids such as curcumin (diferuloylmethane), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin Free radical mediated Useful against skin infections; Treat boils efficiently
Protects skin from the damaging effects of UV B radiation
Reduce formation of wrinkles on the skin; anti-ageing
Estudio científico de la UV demuestra los beneficios de consumir arándanos an...Emisor Digital
La investigación, realizada por las académicas de la Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética de la Universidad de Valparaíso Ximena Palma y Samanta Thomas, junto al doctor Gonzalo Cruz, del Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI) y académico del Instituto de Fisiología de la UV, apuntó a evaluar el manejo de la glucosa posprandial (después de las comidas) y la capacidad antioxidante de los arándanos frescos.
"Oral administration of nano-emulsion curcumin suppresses LPS-induced NFkB si...Nicholas Young
Sildes from a portion of my talk per invitation of the Physiology research group at aTyr Pharma June 1-3, 2014, San Diego, CA. Subsequently, this project has translated to a human clinical trial of this patented anti-inflammatory drug (nanoemulsified curcumin; patented through my collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology at Ohio State).
The IOSR Journal of Pharmacy (IOSRPHR) is an open access online & offline peer reviewed international journal, which publishes innovative research papers, reviews, mini-reviews, short communications and notes dealing with Pharmaceutical Sciences( Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Drug Design, Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacy Practice, Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, Cell Biology, Genomics and Proteomics, Pharmacogenomics, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Interest........more details on Aim & Scope).
All manuscripts are subject to rapid peer review. Those of high quality (not previously published and not under consideration for publication in another journal) will be published without delay.
Healing Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Guava (Psidium guajava) Leaf on ...Dr. Anuj S Parihar
Oral mucositis (OM) is a common inflammatory complication among cancerous patients as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the healing effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium
Guajava leaf on oral induced mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil using histopathologic and tissue antioxidative markers assessment in male dark brown rats. In a prospective randomized double blind animal study, OM was induced in 64 male dark brown rats that allocated in 4 groups by 5-FU (60 mg/kg) on days 0, 5, and 10 of the study. The cheek pouch was scratched with a sterile needle on once daily on days 3 and 4. Starting from day 12, gel base, topical form and 600 mg/kg dietry form of hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium Guajava leaf were administered per day. Pouch histopathology score, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity were evaluated on day 14 and 18. DPPH scavenging activity and total phenolic content also were measured. Histopathology scores of mucositis were lower in the systemic and topical treatment groups than the gel base and control groups (P<0.05). Higher activities of SOD, GPX and TAC were detected in the topical and systemic treatment groups in comparison to the others (P<0.05). The extract was rich in total phenolic content as antioxidant. The use of extract of Psidium Guajava leave may be associated with reduced intensity of OM, increased concentration of SOD, GPX and TAC on induced
OM in dark brown rats undergoing 5-FU consumption.
Biopharmaceutical classification system & drug delivery system associated wit...PratikShinde120
Biopharmaceutical classification system & drug delivery system based on BCS.
By Pratik shinde, Mpharm, University department of pharmaceutical sciences, Nagpur
Where buy Moringa Powder from Pakistan?
Moringa Pakistan providing the super food moringa pure to all Pakistan. You may order your details to whatsapp +92 302 4184220 or submit this form. https://forms.gle/cyb85w9zdGtQus2j9
website: https://moringa-pakistan.business.site/
Effect of Ethanol Leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on hepatic markers in s...PUBLISHERJOURNAL
Chromolaena odorata is one of the medicinal plants that have served all through the ages as the mainstay in the treatment and preservation of human health. This research was designed to determine the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on hepatic markers (ALT, ALP, AST, GGT and bilirubin) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar albino rats. All chemicals and reagents used in this study were of analytical grade. Diabetes was induced through intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) single dose of 70mg/kg body weight (b.w). Forty eight (48) rats were randomly distributed into six (6) groups of 8 rats each as follows: Group 1 were diabetic rats that were given 0.5ml normal saline, rats in group 2 were diabetic rats treated with 0.5mg glibenclamide, rats in group 3 were neither induced nor treated while rats in groups 4-6 were diabetic rats treated with graded doses of 250 mg/kg, 350mg/kg and 450mg/kg b.w of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata, respectively. Blood glucose level and hepatic markers were assayed using standard biochemical methods. The study lasted for 21 days. After an overnight fast, blood samples were collected from the animals after anaesthesia via cardiac puncture. STZ injection led to increase in glucose and bilirubin levels as well as the activities of ALT, ALP, AST and GGT. Interestingly, rats in groups 4, 5 and 6 treated with graded doses of 250 mg/kg, 350mg/kg and 450mg/kg b.w of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata recorded significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activities of these enzymes and level of bilirubin when compared with the positive control rats (group 1). Also, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) when group 3 rats (normal rats) and group 2 (treated with glibenclamide) were compared with groups 4-6 rats treated with graded doses of ethanol extract extracts group. In conclusion, the results from this research indicated that ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata lowered the activities of liver enzymes and level of bilirubin in STZ-induced diabetic wistar albino rats. The findings in this study suggest that Chromolaena odorata ethanol root extract possess hepatoprotective potentials and hence can be used to ameliorate hepatic dysfunction-associated diseases. Further study is however advocated to unravel the mechanism of action of this plant.
Keywords: Chromolaena odorata, medicinal plants, streptozotocin, Diabetes mellitus, hepatic markers.
Cancer Chemoprevention by Flavonoids, Dietary Polyphenols and Terpenoids Dr Varruchi Sharma
The world population is aging, and cancer is always considered to be one of the major causes of death all over the globe. The advent of recent drug-targeted therapies undoubtedly is going to reduce the incidence of cancer over the coming years. However, the frequency of occurrence of such chronic diseases like cancer would continue to increase. Therefore, the search for a safer and cost-effective treatment is urgently needed. Phytochemicals found in plants, foods, vegetables, tea, etc. have emerged as proven therapeutic compounds modulating signaling pathways involved in cancer. We carried out a structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature using the keywords: cancer chemoprevention, flavonoids, dietary polyphenols, terpenoids, bioactive, microbiota. Quality of the retrieved papers and characteristic outcomes of the articles included in the study was assessed by employing standard tools and deductive qualitative content analysis methodology. The development of personalized supplements comprising particular phytochemicals has been the key, especially dealing with chronic inflammatory disorders like cancer. Better understanding at the molecular level explains the influence of phytochemicals on human health, which has been extensively covered through this review. Moreover, the wide collection of dietary polyphenols that has significant properties in reference to human health has been highlighted. Furthermore, the etiology of end products of such phytochemicals, especially on the modulation of gut microbiota and the host-microbial interactions thereof, need to be properly understood. The present study summarizes the chemoprevention and treatment of cancer using the bioactive components, including flavonoids, dietary polyphenols, and terpenoids. Likewise, the effect of dietary polyphenols on the human gut microbiota has been realized more recently. However, more research is needed in this field, especially focused on the communications, interlinks between the gut microbiota and polyphenols with the precise mechanism of action.
Cytotoxicity of Blended Versus Single Medicinal Mushroom Extracts on Human Ca...Jolene1981
ABSTRACT: The use of mushrooms contributes to human nutrition by providing low lipid content of lipids and high dietary fiber content, as well as significant content of other biologically active compounds such as polysaccharides, minerals, vitamins, and polyphenolic antioxidants. This study aimed to determine the content of polyphenols and polysaccharides, as well as the cytotoxic and antioxidative properties of several medicinal mushroom preparations. The content of total phenols and flavonoids of preparations of blended mushroom extracts (Lentifom, Super Polyporin, Agarikon, Agarikon Plus, Agarikon.1, and Mykoprotect.1) was evaluated quantitatively by using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant capacity of the preparations was evaluated using the ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assays. The content of water-soluble polysaccharides was determined using a specific gravimetric method, based on ethanol precipitation. To determine cytotoxic effects of single and blended mushroom extracts, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and neutral red assays were conducted using human small cell lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, colon cancer, and brain astrocytoma cancer cells. The obtained results suggest that due to the significant content of beneficial polyphenolic antioxidants and soluble polysaccharides, use of these mushroom preparations is beneficial in maintaining good health, as well as in the prevention and adjuvant biotherapy of various human pathological aberrations. These results reveal that these extracts exhibit different cytotoxic effects on tumor cells originating from different tissues. In addition, the comparison of investigated blended mushroom extracts with three well-known commercial mushroom products derived from single mushroom species or single mushroom compounds shows that blended mushroom extracts exhibit significantly stronger cytotoxic effects on human tumor cell lines.
Polygonum Persicaria (Linn.) and its Active Principle have a hepatoprotective...AI Publications
The aim of this analysis was to see whether the aqueous extract of the roots of Polygonum persicaria (PP) and its active principle, Tannic Acid (TA), had a hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect in rats provided Carbon tetrachloride (1.5 ml/kg, i.p). Twenty albino wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity, hepatotoxicity with Polygonum persicaria and Tannic acid, and a normal group given 100 mg/kg silymarin. After 14 days, the rats were sacrificed. Toxicity testing was carried out on 12 rats. They were randomly allocated to one of three groups: control, Polygonum persicaria 200 mg/kg (B.wt), and Tannic acid 200 mg/kg (B.wt). The amounts of liver homogenate enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase enzymes) were greatly restored by extracts of PP and TA at the tested concentrations, supporting the biochemical results. Tannic acid, in contrast to Polygonum persicaria, tends to have a greater liver defensive role toward carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, as well as antioxidant properties and mild anticancer activity against cell viability at higher concentrations. The histological alterations in the liver indicated the injury. Polygonum persicaria & its active principle Tannic acid has strong antioxidant properties as well as hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity, as demonstrated by these observations.
Disease can occur due to alterations in many physiological processes. A variety of factorsare known to be involved in the progression of cancer, a chronic diseasethat occurs due to permissible proliferative signaling, avoiding growth suppressors, resisting cell death, allowing replicative immortality, induction of angiogenesis, and inducing invasion and metastasis, along with reprogramming of metabolic pathways involved in energy production and avoiding the host immune response for cell destruction. Treatment of such a multifactorial disease has very less cure rate because of the singular agents tried in the past for targeting. Molecular level studies with deeper insight are urgently neededthat focus on the most promising herbal-derived bioactive substances for which thorough research was carried out in the literature in various data-bases such as PUB-MED, MEDLINE, SCOPUS indexed journals etc. to look for systematic reviews of the protocols or data interpretation, natural drug/immunological properties and validation. As immune system plays avery important role in the proliferation or suppression of cancer and other autoimmune diseases, It is the dire need to study the effect of such natural compound on the immune system so that a possible drug target or epitope can be identified for the treatment of such diseases. In nutshell there are many nonclinical in vitro and in vivo studies on herbal medicines which commonly supports the traditional therapeutic claims. It has been seen from the previos studies in literature that the yield and composition of bioactive compounds derived from plants are dependent upon the production source,culturing conditions and extraction protocols.Therefore appropriate optimization conditions would certainly assist the medical and scientific fraternity to accept herbal products as potential candidates for cancer treatment. In this article we explored the different natural products, their immunological effects concerning cancer with no or negligible side effects. However,one has to look for potential herb–drug or herb-epitope interactions and how immune system responds to such drugs.
Pharmacological Applications of Isorhamnetin: A Short Reviewijtsrd
Isorhamnetin (30-Methoxy-3, 40, 5, 7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a flavonol, and it belongs to a group of plant secondary metabolites known as flavonoids. It is present in mans daily diet and is known for its biological activities such as antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Isorhamnetin has been reported for its antioxidant and antiviral applications hence it is not only used as such, but it also has various derivatized forms which has potentials for development into drugs for the treatment of diseases caused by oxidative stress and lethal viruses. The present review reflects the pharmacological importance of isorhamnetin. S Kandakumar | Dr V Manju"Pharmacological Applications of Isorhamnetin: A Short Review" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-4 , June 2017, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd2202.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/biological-science/biochemistry/2202/pharmacological-applications-of-isorhamnetin-a-short-review/s-kandakumar
Broccoli as an anticancer agent
• This article is to bring awareness to the nutritional value of broccoli, Brussels sprouts or cabbages to produce an enzyme
• the enzyme myrosinase transforms to glucoraphanin
• Sulforaphane is a molecule within the isothiocyanate group of organosulfur compounds. It exhibits anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties in experimental models
Unit Nutraceuticals classification and Health Benefits (4).pptx
Antioxidants 02-00293-v2
1. Antioxidants 2013, 2, 293-308; doi:10.3390/antiox2040293
antioxidants
ISSN 2076-3921
www.mdpi.com/journal/antioxidants
Review
Saffron: A Natural Potent Antioxidant as a Promising
Anti-Obesity Drug
Maryam Mashmoul 1
, Azrina Azlan 1,2,
*, Huzwah Khaza’ai 3
, Barakatun Nisak Mohd Yusof 1
and Sabariah Mohd Noor 4
1
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
E-Mails: mmashmoul@yahoo.com (M.M.); bnisak@medic.upm.edu.my (B.N.M.Y.)
2
Laboratory of Halal Science Research, Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
3
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
E-Mail: huzwah@medic.upm.edu.my
4
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; E-Mail: sabariah@medic.upm.edu.my
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: azrinaaz@upm.edu.my;
Tel.: +60-3-8947-2466; Fax: +60-3-8942-6769.
Received: 6 September 2013; in revised form: 26 September 2013 / Accepted: 27 September 2013 /
Published: 29 October 2013
Abstract: Obesity is associated with various diseases, particularly diabetes, hypertension,
osteoarthritis and heart disease. Research on possibilities of herbal extracts and isolated
compounds from natural products for treating obesity has an upward trend. Saffron
(Crocus Sativus L. Iridaceae) is a source of plant polyphenols/carotenoids, used as
important spice and food colorant in different parts of the world. It has also been used
in traditional medicine for treatment of different types of illnesses since ancient
times. Many of these medicinal properties of saffron can be attributed to a number of
its compounds such as crocetin, crocins and other substances having strong antioxidant
and radical scavenger properties against a variety of radical oxygen species and
pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this article is to assess the potential role of saffron
and its constituents in the regulation of metabolic functions, which can beneficially alter
obesity pathophysiology.
OPEN ACCESS
2. Antioxidants 2013, 2 294
Keywords: saffron; antioxidant; crocin; obesity; overweight; weight loss
1. Introduction
Obesity and overweight are global problems since they can lead to complications associated with
human health, and they can raise the risk of many diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2
diabetes, cancers, hypertension and dyslipidemia [1]. In the last decade, chemists, nutritionists and
practitioners have been working collectively to build up innovative nutritional applications to comply
with people’s needs and demands to overcome overweight and obesity problems. Two different types
of obesity treatment drugs are currently available in the market, including orlistat, which reduces
intestinal fat absorption through inhibition of pancreatic lipase, and sibutramine, which is an anorectic.
However, they are costly and have potentially dangerous side-effects. Therefore, possibilities of herbal
products for managing obesity are under intensive investigation [2,3].
A variety of natural products, including natural extracts and isolated compounds from plants, have
been reported to increase body weight loss and prevent diet-induced obesity [4–9]. Among the
compounds used in modern nutrition and pharmacology, antioxidants are the most significant. For their
special antioxidant characteristics, carotenoids and polyphenols have attracted much interest. They are
able to reduce levels of glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in blood, increase energy
expenditure and fat oxidation, as well as lower body weight and adiposity [10,11]. Research results
have shown that they are also capable of inhibiting enzymes related to fat metabolism, including
pancreatic lipase, lipoprotein lipase and glycerophosphate dehydrogenase [12,13].
Saffron is the dried stigma of the flowers of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L. Iridaceae), which
can be classified as a potent plant antioxidant. Numerous studies indicated the health promoting
properties of saffron are attributed primarily to crocin, a unique carotenoid with powerful antioxidant
capacity, which makes distinctive bright yellow color of the stigma [14–19]. According to several
researchers, saffron is considered a potential therapeutic drug in clinical trials [20,21]. Recently, the
application of saffron in many types of neuronal and cardiovascular disorders as well as cancer has
been studied [22]. Although research about the connection between saffron compounds and body
weight is not definitive yet, there are several theories that saffron has a potential to combat against
overweight/obesity and related metabolic disorders owing to its high antioxidant activity and different
biological properties. This paper briefly reviews the available scientific evidence regarding the role of
bioactive compounds of saffron in modulation of some metabolic disorders as well as the link between
antioxidants of saffron and their possible anti-obesity potential. The available literature reviewed in
this paper provides proof supporting the positive role of saffron in treatment of some obesity-related
metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, further
studies are needed in order to investigate whether saffron can be regarded as an effective medication in
weight loss and obesity treatment and to analyze the molecular mechanisms involved.
3. Antioxidants 2013, 2 295
2. Saffron Bioactive Compounds
The chemical composition of stigmas of Crocus sativus L. has been investigated in several studies
during the past two decades. Reportedly, stigma of Crocus sativus flower contains three main
metabolites; (1) Crocins which are the saffron-colored compounds (unusual water-soluble carotenoids
due to their high glycosyl contents); (2) Picrocrocins which are the main substances responsible
for saffron’s bitter taste; and (3) Safranal which is the volatile oil responsible for the typical saffron
aroma [7,15,23]. Crocin and picrocrocin are the major compounds in saffron. Crocin is responsible for
its characteristic color, and picrocrocin is a precursor of safranal. In addition to Crocin and picrocrocin,
anthocyanins, flavonoids, vitamins (riboflavin and thiamine), amino acids, proteins, starch, mineral
matter, gums, and other chemical compounds have been found in saffron [15,16,23]. Figure 1
illustrates the structure of the most important components of saffron.
Figure 1. Chemical composition of the most active constituents of saffron.
2.1. General Characteristics of Crocin
Crocin (Crocetin di-gentiobiose ester) has been detected as the most prominent chemical constituent
isolated from the saffron voluble spice and from the less expensive Gardenia fruit (Gardenia
Jasminoides Ellis) [24,25]. Crocin (C44H4O24) is a di-ester which is formed from the disaccharide
gentiobiose and the dicarboxylic acid crocetin and is considered as one of the few naturally occurring
carotenoids easily soluble in water. Crocin has shown various pharmacological activities such as
anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, learning and memory enhancer in medicinal field [8,26]. Besides its high
anti-oxidant activity, the distinctive orange-red color of its pigment has made it also noteworthy for
various industrial applications such as coloring matter in food and dying industry, preservative,
bleaching agent for evaluation of pro-oxidant activity of foods by kinetic analysis and anti-aging agent
in cosmetics [27].
4. Antioxidants 2013, 2 296
2.2. Crocin Absorption, Bioavailability and Toxicity
Studies showed that crocin is not absorbed throughout the gastrointestinal tract. It has been
observed that after oral administration of crocins, it is priorly hydrolysed to crocetin or through
intestinal absorption, the absorbed crocetin is partially metabolized to mono- and di-glucuronide
conjugates [28]. It was also found that oral administration of crocinis not absorbed either after single or
frequent doses. Following oral administration of crocin, it is primarily excreted through the intestinal
tract. Crocetin concentrations of plasma do not tend to rise with frequent oral doses of crocin and
the intestinal tract function as the key site for hydrolysis of saffron [29]. Moreover, Ames study
(biological assessment to determine the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds) had indicated the
non-mutagenic and non-antimutagenic properties of crocin from saffron [16].
3. Biological Properties of Saffron
Saffron is used in natural medicine as anti-catarrhal, anti-spasmodic, nerve sedative,
gingival seda-tive, diaphoretic, carminative and expectorant [15]. In a relatively recent
pharmacological studies, saffron demonstrated numerous health properties such as anti-cancer and
anti-toxic [16,30–33], antioxidant [14,18,21,34–36], antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory [37,38],
anti-atherosclerosis [20,22,39], anti-diabetic and insulin resistance [40–42], hypotensive [43],
hypolipidemic [44] and hypoglycemic [45–47], antidepressant and mood improving [48–53]
effects. Although numerous studies have been reported in different medicinal properties of saffron and
its constituents but in this paper we concentrated on scientific evidence demonstrating the potential of
saffron against obesity and related metabolic disorders. Some of the major reported biological
functions attributable to potential anti-obesity effect of saffron as well as experimental conditions,
dosage and conclusions are summarized in Table 1.
3.1. Anti-Oxidant Activity of Saffron
Many studies on medicinal properties of saffron have indicated that saffron has a potent antioxidant
activity which is mostly due to the presence of crocin as a unique carotenoid. The crocin bleaching
assay was also designed according to this important property of crocin as a basic element for the
antioxidant activity of saffron [27,54,55]. It was shown that the antioxidant properties of both
methanol extract and water-methanol (50:50 v/v) extract of Crocus sativus stigmas were higher than
those of tomatoes and carrots [27]. Kanakis et al. [33] reported that antioxidant activity was overall
lower in saffron components than Trolox and BHT, especially safranal, but crocetin was closer to BHT
and Trolox. The antioxidant activity of dimethylcrocetin was concentration dependent, with a peak in
40 μg/mL. However, the synergistic effect of all the bioactive constituents gave saffron a significant
antioxidant activity. The antioxidant property of crocin was evaluated in comparable amounts with
butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) [27]. Crocin showed a high radical scavenging activity (50%
and 65% for 500 and 1000 ppm solution in methanol, respectively), followed by safranal (34% for
500 ppm solution). High radical scavenging activity of these compounds is probably due to their
ability to donate a hydrogen atom to the DPPH radical [21].
5. Antioxidants 2013, 2 297
Table 1. Major biological properties of saffron attributed to potential anti-obesity effect.
Health property
Saffron/
Compound
Human/animal
subjects
Results Reference
Hypolipidemic Crocin
Bovine aortic
endothelial cells
(EC), bovine
aortic smooth
muscle cells
(SMC) and quail
Crocin decreased OX-LDL induced
EC apoptosis as well as SMC
proliferation. Crocin decreased
Ox-LDL and thus inhibited the
formation of atherosclerosis
in quails.
[22]
Crocetin Quails
A 9-week treatment with crocetin
(25, 50, 100 mg/kg/day) reduced
serum total cholesterol level and
inhibited the formation of aortic
plaque, reduced malonaldehyde
and decreased nitric oxide
in serum.
[39]
Crocin Rats
A 10-day treatment with crocin
(25 to 100 mg/kg/day) significantly
reduced serum triglyceride, total
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and
VLDL cholesterol levels.
The hyperlipidemic effect of crocin
was attributed to its pancreatic
lipase inhibition.
[44]
Hypoglycemic &
Anti-diabetic
Crocetin Male Wistar rats
Crocetin (40 mg/kg) prevented
dexanethasone-induced
insulin resistance.
[40]
Saffron
methanolic
extract,
crocin and
safranal
Alloxan-diabetic
rats
Saffron methanolic extract (80 and
240 mg/kg), crocin (50 and
150 mg/kg) and safranal (0.25 and
0.5 mL/kg) significantly reduced
the fasting blood glucose and
HbA1c levels and significantly
increased the blood insulin levels
without any significant effects on
the blood SGOT, SGPT and
creatinine levels in the diabetic rats
compared with the control
diabetic rats.
[46]
Saffron
Extract
Healthy male rats
Administration of 50 mg/kg of
saffron extract for 14 days
significantly decreased serum
glucose, cholesterol and
insulin levels.
[56]
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Table 1. Cont.
Crocetin Male Wistar rats
Crocetin (40 mg/kg) improved
insulin sensitivity in fructose-fed
rats via normalizing the expression
of both protein and mRNA of
adiponectin (an insulin-sensitizing
adipocytokine), TNF-α, and leptin
in epididymal white adipose tissue.
[57]
Anti-depressant
Aqueous and
ethanolic
saffron
extract,
crocin, and
safranal
Male BALB/c
mice
The antidepressant activity was
evaluated via forced swimming
test. The aqueous and ethanolic
extracts of stigma (0.2–0.8 g/kg),
safranal (0.15–0.5 mL/kg) and
crocin (50–600 mg/kg) reduced
immobility time. Extracts,
safranal, and crocin increased
swimming time.
[48]
Capsulated
ethanolic
saffron
extract
Forty adult
outpatients
In a 6-week double-blind,
placebo-controlled and randomized
trial, saffron extract 30 mg/day was
effective in the treatment of mild to
moderate depression.
[49]
Saffron petal
extract
Forty adult
outpatients
In an 8-week pilot, double-blind
randomized trial, petal extract
(30 mg/day) was effective similar
to fluoxetine (20 mg/day) in
the treatment of mild to
moderate depression.
[50]
Capsulated
ethanolic
saffron
extract
Forty adult
outpatients
In a 6-week randomized and
double-blind clinical trial, saffron
(30 mg/day) was found to be
effective similar to fluoxetine
(20 mg/day) in the treatment of
mild to moderate depression.
[51]
Anti-oxidant
Aqueous
saffron
extract and
crocin
Rats
In crocin pretreated groups, a
reduction in TBARS levels and
elevation in antioxidant power
(FRAP value) and total thiol as
compared with control group were
observed. The extract also reduced
lipid peroxidation products and
increased antioxidant power in
ischemia-reperfusion injured
rat kidney.
[58]
7. Antioxidants 2013, 2 299
Table 1. Cont.
Saffron
extract
Rats
Liver MDA content in groups
treated with 40 mg/kg saffron
extract was significantly decreased
as compared with that of the
control group. The GSH, SOD,
CAT and GSH-Px contents of the
liver also significantly increased in
the treatment group as compared
with those in the control group.
[58]
Crocin Rats
Crocin dose-dependently
amelio-rated collagen- and
A23187-induced endogenous
generation of ROS and H(2)O(2).
It also abolished the
H(2)O(2)-induced events of
intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.
[59]
Satiety enhancer
and weight loss
promoter
Capsulated
ethanolic
saffron
extract
Sixty overweight
women
Subjects were given 1 capsule of
Satiereal (176.5 mg/day) or an
inactive placebo with no limitation
in dietary intake. After 2 months,
the subjects using the saffron
extract reported a decrease in
snacking and lost more weight than
the control group.
[60]
Crocin scavenges free radicals, mainly the superoxide anions, and so may defend cells against
oxidative stress. Research results have shown that crocin is beneficial for sperm cryo-conservation;
therefore, it could be helpful in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders due to its great antioxidant
activity [29]. Crocetin decreased lipid peroxidation induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rat
primary hepatocytes [61] and by BαP in mice [62]. Crocetin decreased formation of malondialdehyde
(MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation induced by ROS [62,63]. The chemopreventive property
of saffron via modulation of antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, and detoxification systems was also
proposed [64].
3.2. Hypolipidemic Effect of Saffron
Crocin has been reported as an effective hypolipidemic agent in several human and animal
studies. Crocin decreased the amount of cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats with 2 months feeding of
excessive cholesterol [44]. In another study, it was found that crocin has strong triglyceridemic and
cholesterolemic lowering effects in quails with coronary artery disease [22]. Further research verified
that crocetin could reduce the levels of serum, total cholesterol and malondialdehyde and prevent
reduction of nitric oxide in serum of hyperlipidemic-diet quails [39]. In the elucidation of the
hypolipidemic mechanism of crocin, Sheng et al. [44] indicated that crocin inhibited the absorption of
dietary fat and cholesterol. They reported this inhibition was very much related to the hydrolysis of fat.
8. Antioxidants 2013, 2 300
Likewise, the modified fat-balance method indicated that crocin increased excretion of fecal fat and
cholesterol in rats, but it had no impact on the elimination of bile acids. Data of the in situ loop method
and enzyme assay demonstrated that crocin could not directly inhibit the absorption of cholesterol
from rat jejunum but could selectively block the activity of pancreatic lipase as a competitive inhibitor.
These findings suggest that crocin has lipid lowering properties by inhibiting pancreatic lipase, leading
to malabsorption of fat and cholesterol [44].
Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity of Saffron
Pancreatic lipase inhibitor has attracted much attention for its key role in obesity treatment due to
its effectiveness and low toxicity. Orlistat has been a familiar pancreatic lipase inhibitor available in
the market as an anti-obesity drug since 1999. In terms of inhibiting the dietary fat absorption, orlistat
is more effective when compared with crocin (orlistat reduces fat absorption by approximately 30% at
the dose of 40 µmol/kg [65] and crocin reduces fat absorption by 12% at the dose of 102 µmol/kg).
Orlistat powerfully inhibits the activities of both gastric and pancreatic lipases, but crocin has higher
selectivity for pancreatic lipase. The inhibition of orlistat on lipase is irreversible, whereas the
inhibition of crocin is reversible [44]. Further crocin is fully unabsorbable while minimum orlistat
could be absorbed, which may sometimes result in hepatotoxicity [44]. Usually, orlistat has some
gastrointestinal side effects including oily spotting, flatulence and frequent loose stools [66]. However,
crocin does not have those side effects and was confirmed to be nontoxic [67] which may be attributed
to its moderately mild inhibition on lipase.
3.3. Hypoglycemic and Anti-Diabetic Effects of Saffron
Reportedly saffron significantly increased serum insulin and lowered blood glucose in diabetic
rats [45]. Crocin was found to possess anti diabetic property in rodents fed fructose as it relieved
free fatty acid induced insulin insensitivity and dysregulated mRNA expression of TNF-alpha,
adiponectin as well as leptin in primary cultured rat adipocytes proposing the possibility of crocin
prescription as a preventive approach of insulin resistance and the related diseases [54,68]. Advanced
glycation end products are associated with the cause of oxidative reaction that normally occurs in
endothelial cell apoptosis and thus results in diabetic vascular complications. Crocin by virtue of its
good antioxidant capacity and calcium antagonistic action or stabilization may be a good solution
for diabetic vascular complications [55]. El-Daly [69] described that Crocus sativus stigmas given
together with cisplatin led to an even greater reduction in blood glucose than that seen with cisplatin.
Glucose Uptake Regulatory Effect of Saffron
Recently Kang et al. (2012) elucidated mechanism of the hypoglycemic actions of saffron through
investigating its signaling pathways associated with glucose metabolism in C(2)C(12) skeletal muscle
cells. They found that saffron strongly enhanced glucose uptake and the phosphorylation of AMPK
(AMP-activated protein kinase)/ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase) and MAPKs (mitogen-activated
protein kinases), but not PI 3-kinase (Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)/Akt. According to their
results, the co-treatment of saffron and insulin further improved the insulin sensitivity via both
9. Antioxidants 2013, 2 301
insulin-independent (AMPK/ACC and MAPKs) and insulin-dependent (PI 3-kinase/Akt and mTOR)
pathways. In line with the findings of GLUT4 translocation, it was also suggested that there is
interference between the two signaling pathways of glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle cells.
Overall, AMPK plays a key role in the effects of saffron on glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity
in skeletal muscle cells [23].
3.4. Anti-Depressant and Mood Improving Effects of Saffron
Crocin and ethanolic extracts of saffron are known to show antidepressant impact on rodents.
Crocin also reduced immobility time and increased climbing time at dose 50–600 mg/kg may be via
individual uptake inhibition of dopamine and norepinephrine [48]. In another study, it was found that
saffron supplementation statistically improved the moods of people compared with the placebo group
after receiving 30 mg/day of saffron for six weeks evaluated based on the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HAM-D) [49]. A similar study by Noorbala and colleagues determined that saffron extracts
were effective in treating mild to moderate depression similar to fluoxetine (the antidepressant, Prozac)
after 30 mg/day intake for six weeks [51].
Satiety Enhancer and Weight Loss Promoter
Ethanolic extract of saffron stigma was found to significantly reduce the body weight in rats [27,51].
Decreased appetite has been shown as a clinical complication and side effect following the treatment
with saffron [27,51]. In a human trial published in 2010, saffron by the name of Satiereal was under
consideration as a satiety enhancer and weight loss promoter. In this study, mood-improving effect of
saffron which would result in lowered appetite and snacking was investigated. Twice-daily, women
subjects (n = 60, overweight) were given 1 capsule of Satiereal (176.5 mg/day) or an inactive placebo
with no limitation in dietary intake. After 2 months, the subjects using the saffron extract reported a
decrease in snacking and lost more weight than the control group [60]. Authors suggested that
combination of an adequate diet with saffron supplementation as a Satiereal might help subjects
engaged in a weight loss program in achieving their objective [60].
4. Link between Saffron’s Antioxidants and Possible Anti-Obesity Property
Obesity is a chronic disease of multi-factorial origin that develops from the interaction of social,
psychological, behavioral, metabolic, cellular, and molecular factors [70]. It is the condition under
which adipose tissue is increased and can be defined as an increase in body weight that results in
excessive fat accumulation. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as a body mass
index (BMI) > 30 and defines overweight as with a BMI of 25. In the last years, several studies have
proposed that obesity might be an inflammatory disorder [71–74]. In addition, oxidative stress has
been suggested as a potential inducer of inflammatory status and susceptibility to obesity and related
disorders [70,71,75]. One possible strategy to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin
resistance is consumption of antioxidant rich diet. A diet with high total antioxidant capacity has been
found inversely related to central adiposity, metabolic and oxidative stress bio-markers, and risk for
cardiovascular diseases [76–78]. Thus it is postulated that saffron directly or indirectly can inhibit
10. Antioxidants 2013, 2 302
obesity pathophysiology by working as an anti-inflammatory compound alone or fat reducing agent
in parallel.
4.1. Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Saffron
Potential mechanisms, by which saffron prevents obesity-mediated inflammation and related
metabolic diseases, are still under investigation, but regarding its rich polyphenol/carotenoid content,
saffron can assumedly reduce inflammation by (a) acting as antioxidant or increasing antioxidant
gene or protein expression; (b) attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling; (c) blocking
pro-inflammatory cytokines or endotoxin-mediated kinases and transcription factors related to
metabolic syndrome; (d) suppressing inflammatory or inducing metabolic-gene expression via
raising histone deacetylase activity; or (e) activating transcription factors that intensify chronic
inflammation [38,79].
4.2. Mechanism of Potential Weight Loss Effect of Saffron
Although possible weight loss effect of saffron and its mechanism of action is not clear yet, saffron
extract has a promising potential as an anti-obesity herbal medication through different biological
functions which can be classified into four major categories including: (1) decreasing calorie intake
by blocking dietary fat digestion via inhibiting pancreatic lipase; (2) acting as an antioxidant and
suppressing inflammatory cytokines and adipocyte differentiation; (3) suppressing food intake by
increasing satiety, or the feeling of fullness due to raising the level of neurotransmitters or hormonal
functions; and (4) enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism all of which were briefly pointed out in
section 3. Figure 2 shows a schematic of our postulation in potential anti-obesity effect of saffron
based on the data from previous studies that were reviewed in section 3 earlier in the discussion on
biological properties of saffron.
Figure 2. Schematic of possible anti-obesity effect of saffron compounds.
PL: Pancreatic lipase; TG: Triglyceride; HDL: High-density lipoprotein; FFA: Free fatty acid.
11. Antioxidants 2013, 2 303
5. Conclusions
Antioxidant-rich saffron compounds may modulate obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
They can be potentially useful in prevention, control, and/or management of overweight and obesity of
individuals. Despite the lack of supporting evidence on possible weight loss effect of saffron in obese
individuals, current knowledge about properties of saffron suggests that saffron supplementation will
be at least responsible for lowering the risk of over snacking-diet associated with obesity or promoting
weight loss in overweight individuals.
Due to lack of research on evaluating the efficacy of saffron as an anti-obesity medication and
clarifying the possible mechanism of action, both pre-clinical and clinical studies are warranted to
demonstrate its full health potential.
Acknowledgments
This review article is based on research work supported by the Universiti Putra Malaysia under
grant No. 93358.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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