Saffron Cancer Research Results

Saffron - Crocus sativus L. Stigma

Alternative Names: Crocus sativus, saffron stigma, saffron spice, saffron extract

Type: Botanical product / medicinal spice / plant extract

Source: Dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae).

Main Active Constituents: Crocin/crocins, Crocetin, picrocrocin, safranal, and Kaempferol derivatives.

Kaempferol Content: Saffron is a comparatively rich dietary source of kaempferol derivatives. Published food-composition data have reported approximately 2050 mg/kg kaempferol, although this value should not necessarily be interpreted as 2050 mg/kg of free kaempferol aglycone because much of the kaempferol in saffron occurs as glycosides. Important identified derivatives include kaempferol-3-sophoroside and kaempferol-3-sophoroside-7-glucoside.

Carotenoid and Apocarotenoid Constituents: Crocins are major water-soluble carotenoid glycosides responsible for saffron's characteristic color. Crocetin is the aglycone underlying the crocin family and is also an important absorbed metabolite. Picrocrocin contributes to saffron's bitter taste and is related chemically and biosynthetically to safranal formation during drying and storage.

Volatile Constituents: Safranal is a major volatile constituent responsible for much of saffron's characteristic aroma and has independent antioxidant, neuroactive, anti-inflammatory, and experimental anticancer activity.

Flavonoid Constituents: Kaempferol and kaempferol glycosides represent an important flavonoid fraction of saffron stigma. Other reported flavonoids include Quercetin and its derivatives, Rutin, isorhamnetin derivatives, Apigenin, Vitexin, Isovitexin, orientin, Isoorientin, naringenin, Myricetin, kaempferide, and astragalin. Their concentrations vary with cultivar, geographic origin, plant material, processing, and analytical method.

Other Carotenoids: Minor carotenoid constituents reported in saffron include Zeaxanthin, β-Carotene, and Lycopene.

Function: Saffron is a multi-component botanical product whose biological activity cannot be attributed solely to crocetin. Crocins/crocetin, safranal, picrocrocin, kaempferol derivatives, and other flavonoids can contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, metabolic, immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative effects.

Cancer: Saffron and its major constituents have demonstrated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic activity in preclinical cancer models. Important implicated constituents include crocin, Crocetin, safranal, and Kaempferol derivatives. Evidence remains predominantly preclinical and effects vary with extract composition and cancer type.

Alzheimer's Disease: Saffron has comparatively substantial clinical and preclinical evidence for cognitive and neuroprotective effects. Proposed mechanisms include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, modulation of amyloid-related processes, protection against oxidative neuronal injury, and effects on neurotransmission. Crocin/crocetin and safranal are major candidate mediators, while flavonoids including Kaempferol may contribute additional neuroprotective activity.

Database Relationships: Parent botanical product linked to Crocin, Crocetin, Safranal, Picrocrocin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Rutin, Isorhamnetin, Apigenin, Vitexin, Isovitexin, Orientin, Isoorientin, and other identified constituents where separate product records exist.