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Liposomal Saffron: A Promising Natural Therapeutic and Immune-Boosting Agent

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© 2022 International Journal of Preventive Medicine | Published by Wolters Kluwer Medknow Saffron is the commercial name of the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the… Click to show full abstract

© 2022 International Journal of Preventive Medicine | Published by Wolters Kluwer Medknow Saffron is the commercial name of the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the “saffron crocus.” The colorful crimson stigma and styles (called threads) are collected and dried for use, generally as an aromatic seasoning and coloring agent in food. The main ingredients of saffron include crocin, safranal, picrocrocin, and crocetin which are primarily recognized for their antioxidant and therapeutic properties. These bioactive compounds possess various therapeutic and organoleptic properties, which are as follows: (i) they are powerful antioxidants, (ii) promote digestion, (iii) improve mood and treat depressive symptoms, (iv) have cancer‐fighting properties, (v) reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, (vi) act as aphrodisiac, (vii) reduce appetite and aid weight loss, (viii) boost immune system, and (ix) improve eye sight. Moreover, nanoencapsulation of these bioactive ingredients is a novel platform to boost the therapeutic efficiency and inhibit degradation of saffron bioactive compounds.[1,2] Human cultivation and application of saffron dates back to more than 3500 years. Although some doubts remain on its origin, it is suggested that saffron originated in Iran, nonetheless, Greece and Mesopotamia have also been suggested as the possible origins of this plant.[3] Saffron flowers, stigma, and filaments are being used as medicinal ingredients for a long time. To illustrate this, the abortive action of the ingredients of saffron was well known in the middle ages, during which it was also used by midwives in deliveries for the sedative and antispasmodic properties of the plant.[4] Besides, it has been employed to treat eye diseases, heal wounds, fractures, and joint pains and for many other uses, leading to Pliny the Elder describing it as a kind of panacea in his Naturae Historiarum XXXVII.[4] Saffron bioactive components have demonstrated anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrosis activities in clinical trials.[5] Furthermore, it is reported that saffron bioactive compounds are effective against suppression of tumor cells.[6] With the emergence of COVID‐19, the production of immune‐boosting supplements has increased significantly. Interestingly, it is reported that crocetin has a high affinity toward spike protein of COVID‐19 virus (the main polypeptide of the virus), thus can hinder the access of the virus to the cell receptor.[5] Due to the low stability and sensitivity of the saffron bioactive ingredients, the encapsulation technology has surmounted this grave problem. In short, encapsulation comprises a shell to protect particular ingredient(s) and to prevent them from leaching out before reaching the target site.[7,8] Accordingly, one of the interesting technologies for encapsulation purposes are liposomes and its derivatives including nanoliposomes, tocosomes, and solid‐lipid‐nanoparticles, which are affordable, stable, and simply produced.[9,10] Encapsulated Liposomal Saffron: A Promising Natural Therapeutic and Immune‐Boosting Agent Letter to Editor

Keywords: liposomal saffron; saffron bioactive; saffron; immune boosting; medicine

Journal Title: International Journal of Preventive Medicine
Year Published: 2022

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