Effects of saffron and its constituents, crocin-1, crocin-2, and crocetin on α-synuclein fibrils

Inoue, Eiji; Shimizu, Yasuharu; Masui, Ryo; Hayakawa, Tomomi; Tsubonoya, Tomoe; Hori, Satoko; Sudoh, Keiichi

doi:10.1007/s11418-017-1150-1

Cited by 47 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…DLS and SEM results demonstrated that the size of all the produced CSNPs ranged from 150 to 500 nm, while their shape was spherical or irregular. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics of the prepared emulsions were enhanced, whereas their sunscreen protection factor was weak (SPF value from 2.15 to 4.85) [ 5 , 171 , 172 ].…”

Section: Chitosan As a Matrix For The Encapsulation Of Plant Extramentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanosystems for the Encapsulation of Natural Products: The Case of Chitosan Biopolymer as a Matrix

et al. 2020

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Chitosan is a cationic natural polysaccharide, which has emerged as an increasingly interesting biomaterialover the past few years. It constitutes a novel perspective in drug delivery systems and nanocarriers’ formulations due to its beneficial properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability and low toxicity. The potentiality of chemical or enzymatic modifications of the biopolymer, as well as its complementary use with other polymers, further attract the scientific community, offering improved and combined properties in the final materials. As a result, chitosan has been extensively used as a matrix for the encapsulation of several valuable compounds. In this review article, the advantageous character of chitosan as a matrix for nanosystemsis presented, focusing on the encapsulation of natural products. A five-year literature review is attempted covering the use of chitosan and modified chitosan as matrices and coatings for the encapsulation of natural extracts, essential oils or pure naturally occurring bioactive compounds are discussed.

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Section: Chitosan As a Matrix For The Encapsulation Of Plant Extramentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanosystems for the Encapsulation of Natural Products: The Case of Chitosan Biopolymer as a Matrix

et al. 2020

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“…Crocus sativus L., popularly known as saffron, is widely used for its color, flavor, and aroma in food and beverages. Saffron and its constituents, such as crocin-1, crocin-2, crocetin, safranal, and the crocetin structural analogs hexadecanedioic acid, norbixin, and trans-muconic acid, were found to affect α-syn fibrillation and aggregation (Inoue et al, 2018). However, some crocetin analogs failed to affect α-syn aggregation and dissociation.…”

Section: Medicinal Plants Targeting α-Synuclein Cascade and Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals Targeting α-Synuclein Aggregation in Parkinson's Disease Models

et al. 2019

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α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic protein that regulates the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles in the brain. α-Syn aggregates, including Lewy bodies, are features of both sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). These aggregates undergo several key stages of fibrillation, oligomerization, and aggregation. Therapeutic benefits of drugs decline with disease progression and offer only symptomatic treatment. Novel therapeutic strategies are required which can either prevent or delay the progression of the disease. The link between α-syn and the etiopathogenesis and progression of PD are well-established in the literature. Studies indicate that α-syn is an important therapeutic target and inhibition of α-syn aggregation, oligomerization, and fibrillation are an important disease modification strategy. However, recent studies have shown that plant extracts and phytochemicals have neuroprotective effects on α-syn oligomerization and fibrillation by targeting different key stages of its formation. Although many reviews on the antioxidant-mediated, neuroprotective effect of plant extracts and phytochemicals on PD symptoms have been well-highlighted, the antioxidant mechanisms show limited success for translation to clinical studies. The identification of specific plant extracts and phytochemicals that target α-syn aggregation will provide selective molecules to develop new drugs for PD. The present review provides an overview of plant extracts and phytochemicals that target α-syn in PD and summarizes the observed effects and the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide a synopsis of current experimental models and techniques used to evaluate plant extracts and phytochemicals. Plant extracts and phytochemicals were found to inhibit the aggregation or fibril formation of oligomers. These also appear to direct α-syn oligomer formation into its unstructured form or promote non-toxic pathways and suggested to be valuable drug candidates for PD and related synucleinopathy. Current evidences from in vitro studies require confirmation in the in vivo studies. Further studies are needed to ascertain their potential effects and safety in preclinical studies for pharmaceutical/nutritional development of these phytochemicals or dietary inclusion of the plant extracts in PD treatment.

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“…Other studies report that water-soluble carotenoids such as crocins have antioxidant effects superior to α-tocopherol [67]. It was recently observed in a clinical study that high crocin I and crocin II contents (4000 and 1000 mg, respectively) inhibit β-amyloid and tau aggregation [70]. Apart from crocins, Asdaq and Inamdar [71] suggest that flavonols are responsible for the synergistic antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential of saffron.…”

Section: Amf Modulate Crop Performance and Spice Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Saffron Cultivation in Marginal Alpine Environments: How AMF Inoculation Modulates Yield and Bioactive Compounds

et al. 2018

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish mutualistic symbiotic associations with plant roots and act as biofertilizers by enhancing plant nutrient and water uptake. Moreover, AMF colonization may influence the biosynthesis of plant bioactive compounds in medicinal and aromatic plants. There is limited information on AMF associations with Crocus sativus L. (saffron) roots and their effect on crop performances and spice quality. In the present work we verified the efficiency of root mycorrhization in potted conditions, then we evaluated the yield and quality of the saffron produced in two Alpine sites during two cultivation cycles with the application of AMF. Two inocula were applied, either a single-species (Rhizophagus intraradices) or a multi-species mixture (R. intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae). The trial conducted in potted conditions confirmed that both AMF commercial inocula established symbiotic relationships with saffron roots. The multi-species inoculation yielded the highest content of arbuscules in colonized portions of the root (100%), while the single-species was slightly less (82.9%) and no AMF were recorded in untreated control corms. In open-field conditions, AMF colonization of the root systems, flower production, and saffron yields were monitored, and bioactive compounds contents and antioxidant activity in the dried spice were analysed using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Overall, the saffron produced was high quality (ISO category) and had high contents of bioactive compounds, with very high total polyphenol content and elevated antioxidant activity. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts as biostimulants positively affected saffron cultivation, improving the crop performances and the content of important nutraceutical compounds. In particular, the inoculum composed by R. intraradices and F. mosseae increased flower production and the saffron yield. R. intraradices alone enhanced the spice antioxidant activity and the content of bioactive compounds such as picrocrocin, crocin II, and quercitrin. Since saffron is the world’s highest priced spice, the increases in yield and quality obtained using AMF suggests that farms in marginal areas such as alpine sites can increase profitability by inoculating saffron fields with arbuscular mycorrhiza.

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Effects of saffron and its constituents, crocin-1, crocin-2, and crocetin on α-synuclein fibrils

Cited by 47 publications

References 15 publications

Nanosystems for the Encapsulation of Natural Products: The Case of Chitosan Biopolymer as a Matrix

Nanosystems for the Encapsulation of Natural Products: The Case of Chitosan Biopolymer as a Matrix

Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals Targeting α-Synuclein Aggregation in Parkinson's Disease Models

Saffron Cultivation in Marginal Alpine Environments: How AMF Inoculation Modulates Yield and Bioactive Compounds

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