Saffron against Components of Metabolic Syndrome: Current Status and Prospective

Abstract

Saffron, the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L., is mainly used as a food coloring and flavoring agent. This agricultural product is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases including asthma, liver disease, menstruation disorders, and, of special interest in this review, metabolic syndrome. Saffron and its active components including crocin, crocetin, and safranal are potential therapeutic candidates for attenuating MetS complications including hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, and dyslipidemia. This review summarizes the protective role of saffron and its constituents in the pathogenesis of MetS for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.

Crocin attenuates metabolic syndrome‐induced osteoporosis in rats

“…Finally, the present results clearly indicate that crocin exhibited preventive activities against both MetS as well as the resultant osteoporosis. This is consistent with previous reports highlighting crocin's activities against MetS (Javandoost et al, ; Kermani et al, ; Shafiee et al, ). Thus, the primary preventive activity of crocin can be considered as a complementary element in the observed antiosteoporotic activities.…”

“…Thus, it is noteworthy to report that crocin protected against all pathological changes in the MetS‐related parameters. This is consistent with previous reports emphasizing the ability of crocin contained in saffron to protect against different MetS components (Shafiee et al, ).…”

“…Finally, the present results clearly indicate that crocin exhibited preventive activities against both MetS as well as the resultant osteoporosis. This is consistent with previous reports highlighting crocin's activities against MetS (Javandoost et al, 2017;Kermani et al, 2017;Shafiee et al, 2017).…”

The effect of saffron on weight and lipid profile: A systematic review, meta‐analysis, and dose–response of randomized clinical trials

“…Saffron decreases systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (Ghaffari & Roshanravan, 2018) through it vaso-modulating effects and anti-inflammatory effects. It also exerts its therapeutic effects via its lipid-lowering effects (Shafiee et al, 2017). Other mechanisms of action include regulating the expression of growth factors such as adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and leptin in adipose tissue or fat mass (Ghaffari & Roshanravan, 2018).…”

“…Previous reviews evaluating the effects of saffron have reported evidence to support the beneficial effects for weight, HDL, and LDL (Bukhari et al, 2018;Ghaffari & Roshanravan, 2018;Rahaiee, Moini, Hashemi, & Shojaosadati, 2015;Shafiee et al, 2017). However, most of the evidence from these reports are from animal studies and do not provide evidence of causal effects.…”