RESEARCH PAPER
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of crocin, a bioactive constituent of saffron, in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases with a focus on molecular mechanisms: A systematic review.
AI Summary
Systematic review of 28 preclinical studies reporting that crocin, a saffron constituent, exerts antioxidant (↓ROS, ↓MDA, ↑SOD), anti-inflammatory (↓TNF-α, ↓ILs) and cytoprotective effects (↓p‑ERK1/2, ↑PI3K/Akt/mTOR) in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease models.
Why It Matters
Offers preclinical support that crocin targets neuroprotective pathways relevant to Parkinson's (oxidative stress, inflammation, survival signaling), making it a modestly promising lead for further translational work, though direct disease‑specific mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical…
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the neuroprotective effects of crocin one of the main bioactive compounds of saffron, in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, by focusing on its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this systematic review, we evaluated the efficacy of crocin on in vivo models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Using three online literature databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar), we identified studies describing the neuroprotective effects of crocin in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. A literature search was carried out using a combination of keywords such as crocin, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective. Papers were identified to describe the neuroprotective effects of crocin from 2013 until 2024.
RESULTS: The total number of articles included in the present review is 28. Reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels indicate the anti-oxidant effects of crocin. Crocin can show anti-inflammatory activities via decreasing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin levels. Crocin can display cytoprotective effects via down-regulation of p- extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, and augmentation of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway activity.
CONCLUSION: Finally due to a noticeable efficacy of crocin, it is suggested that crocin can be used as a suitable neuroprotective agent against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
