Review
Neurosciences
Grazia D'Onofrio, Seyed Mohammad Nabavi, Daniele Sancarlo, Antonio Greco, Stefano Pieretti
Summary: Research has shown that saffron and its compounds have a certain therapeutic effect and neuroprotective effect on cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease, possibly by regulating glutamate levels, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating Aβ and tau protein aggregation. Further investigation is needed to consider saffron as a safer alternative in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Matteo Busconi, Elisabeth Wischnitzki, Marcello Del Corvo, Licia Colli, Giovanna Soffritti, Lorenzo Stagnati, Silvia Fluch, Eva Maria Sehr, Marcelino de los Mozos Pascual, Jose Antonio Fernandez
Summary: This study represents the first epigenomic study on saffron crocus, revealing high epigenetic variability among different saffron accessions, including sequences encoding proteins that could explain different phenotypes. The comparison of hypomethylomes also showed a high number of SNPs likely due to prolonged vegetative propagation. Gene ontology analysis indicated a clear difference in polymorphic gene distribution among accessions, possibly influenced by geographic origin.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Weijing Yang, Xue Qiu, Qinghua Wu, Fei Chang, Tao Zhou, Mingmei Zhou, Jin Pei
Summary: Crocus sativus L. (saffron) is commonly used as a traditional spice and Chinese herb with various pharmacological effects. Its active constituents, including crocetin, safranal, and crocus aldehyde, have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects. Saffron has potential in treating neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired mitochondrial function. This article reviews the neuroprotective effects of saffron, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improvement of mitochondrial dysfunction, and its clinical application in treating NDs.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Joel Jose-Santhi, Firdous Rasool Sheikh, Diksha Kalia, Rajesh Kumar Singh
Summary: Temperature plays a crucial role in regulating flowering in saffron. High temperature promotes flowering while low temperature suppresses it. This temperature-dependent flower induction is mediated by changes in sugar metabolism genes and the FT3 gene.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Tareq Abu-Izneid, Abdur Rauf, Anees Ahmed Khalil, Ahmed Olatunde, Ahood Khalid, Fahad A. Alhumaydhi, Abdullah S. M. Aljohani, Md Sahab Uddin, Mojtaba Heydari, Mars Khayrullin, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu, Ahmed Alafnan, Kannan R. R. Rengasamy
Summary: Saffron is commonly used in traditional medicine and has been studied for its therapeutic effects on the nervous system. Its active constituents, including apocarotenoids, monoterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and phytosterols, have been shown to have neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, learning, and memory-enhancing effects.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Soukaina Chaouqi, Natalia Moratalla-Lopez, Gonzalo L. Alonso, Candida Lorenzo, Abdelmjid Zouahri, Nazha Asserar, El Mehdi Haidar, Taoufiq Guedira
Summary: Climate and soil affect the quality of saffron, which is determined by secondary metabolites. The study analyzed saffron samples using HPLC-DAD and analyzed soil samples using physicochemical methods, ED-XRF fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction. Saffron grown in loam-clay-sand soils contained high levels of crocins and kaempferol 3-sophoroside 7-glucoside, but low levels of safranal. Saffron grown in soils rich in organic matter, phosphorus, and potassium also had high levels of crocins and kaempferol 3-sophoroside 7-glucoside, but low levels of safranal. The presence of clays with low iron content was found to have a positive effect on the coloring strength of saffron.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Seyyed Jalal Azari, Ali Sorooshzadeh, Jafar Nabati, Ehsan Oskoueian
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of fertilization and planting depth on antioxidant activities in saffron. It found that using nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate fertilizers and planting at a depth of 15 cm increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, improving saffron's tolerance to freezing stress.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Zhen Wang, Xin Li, Junxu Xu, Zhen Yang, Yongchun Zhang
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of different temperatures and incubation periods on flower initiation and flowering of saffron. It found that the optimal temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees C) can effectively promote flower initiation, while inappropriate temperatures (15 degrees C or 25 degrees C) can lead to flower interruption. The best incubation method involves incubating at a slightly high temperature for 2 to 3 weeks, transferring to a suitable temperature for 1 to 2 months, and then transferring to a lower temperature for flowering.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Fatemeh Moallem Banhangi, Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam, Ghorban Ali Asadi, Soroor Khorramdel
Summary: The study demonstrated that under different corm seeding rates and sowing depths, 8 Mg ha(-1) corm seeding rate and 10 cm sowing depth were beneficial for increasing total crop dry weight, CGR, and RGR in saffron.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Stefania Stelluti, Matteo Caser, Sonia Demasi, Valentina Scariot
Summary: The study revealed that dried saffron tepals are rich in antioxidant properties and valuable phytochemicals. In terms of extraction techniques, ultrasound-assisted extraction using water or low percentage methanol solvents showed similar results to maceration but with reduced processing time. This demonstrates the potential for efficient extraction of bioactive compounds from saffron tepals for various industries.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ayat Taheri-Dehkordi, Roohangiz Naderi, Federico Martinelli, Seyed Alireza Salami
Summary: A robust workflow for the identification of miRNAs and their targets in saffron was developed, revealing the potential involvement of miRNA-mediated gene regulation in several biological processes, including the biosynthesis of highly valuable apocarotenoids. A total of 66 miRNAs targeting 2880 genes, including those involved in the flowering transition and terpenoids biosynthesis pathway, were identified in saffron, shedding new light on the post-transcriptional regulation dynamic in this valuable plant.
Article
Agronomy
Mahsa Aghhavani Shajari, Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam, Reza Ghorbani, Alireza Koocheki
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of nutrient and irrigation management on the quality and yield of saffron. The results showed that the application of humic acid, mycorrhiza, superabsorbent, and longer irrigation intervals can significantly increase the yield and quality of saffron.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ouarda El Hani, Juan Jose Garcia-Guzman, Jose Maria Palacios-Santander, Khalid Digua, Aziz Amine, Said Gharby, Laura Cubillana-Aguilera
Summary: This study used fluorescence spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence techniques to differentiate the geographical origins of saffron from Taroudant, Ouarzazate, and Azilal in Morocco. Unique fingerprints were assigned to Afghan, Iranian, and Moroccan saffron, allowing for successful classification using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evangelos Gikas, Nikolaos Stavros Koulakiotis, Anthony Tsarbopoulos
Summary: Metabolite profiling of saffron samples from various countries revealed significant differences in phytochemical content, with metabolomics approach proving to be effective in evaluating potential metabolites for phytochemical screening and differentiation of sample groups. This information is crucial for selecting appropriate saffron samples with health-promoting effects.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andromachi Lambrianidou, Fani Koutsougianni, Irida Papapostolou, Konstantinos Dimas
Summary: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally with limited treatment efficacy, and difficulty in curing it. Research has shown that saffron and its main components have anticancer activities, drawing the interest of the scientific community.
Article
Substance Abuse
Michael Jae Song, Jean Nicolas Westenberg, Kiana Kianpoor, Mohammadali Nikoo, Alireza Kazemi, Christian Schuetz, Kerry Jang, Ali Gholami, Shahin Akhondzadeh, Michael Krausz
Summary: In the Middle East and Asia, the use of illicit opioids, ranging from heroin to opium, varies greatly. However, the impact of the primary opioid of choice on opioid agonist treatment retention has not been thoroughly examined. This study investigated the relationship between primary opioid of choice (heroin or opium) and retention in opium tincture and methadone treatment. The results suggest that positive factors, such as employment, housing, and family support, may explain the higher retention in treatment among those who primarily use opium.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mahsa Motamed, Hanieh Karimi, Hossein Sanjari Moghaddam, Sina Taherzadeh Boroujeni, Zahra Sanatian, Alireza Hasanzadeh, Mohammad-Reza Khodaei Ardakani, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab therapy in patients with chronic schizophrenia. The results showed that adalimumab adjunctive therapy was effective in improving negative and general psychopathology symptoms of schizophrenia, with no side effects. However, it did not significantly improve positive symptoms. There were no significant differences in inflammatory biomarker levels between the adalimumab and placebo groups.
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Mohammadali Nikoo, Kiana Kianpoor, Nooshin Nikoo, Sanam Javidanbardan, Alireza Kazemi, Fiona Choi, Marc Vogel, Ali Gholami, Saeed Tavakoli, James S. H. Wong, Ehsan Moazen-Zadeh, Reza Givaki, Majid Jazani, Fatemeh Mohammadian, Nader Markazi Moghaddam, Christian Schuetz, Kerry Jang, Shahin Akhondzadeh, Michael Krausz
Summary: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of opium tincture (OT) and methadone in retaining participants in opioid agonist treatment (OAT). The results showed that OT retained 60% of participants to the end of the 85-day follow-up period and was superior to methadone in reducing self-reported opioid use outside of treatment. However, the study did not find sufficient evidence to conclude the non-inferiority of OT compared to methadone.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Parnia Ebrahimi, Homa Seyedmirzaei, Kamyar Moradi, Sayna Bagheri, Mahdi Moeini, Mohammad-Reza Mohammadi, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of cilostazol on aberrant behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its safety profile. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 66 confirmed ASD children. The results showed that cilostazol had beneficial effects on hyperactivity in children with ASD and higher levels of hyperactivity, with no significant adverse effects observed.
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sara L. Deschaine, Morten A. Hedegaard, Claire L. Pince, Mehdi Farokhnia, Jacob E. Moose, Ingrid A. Stock, Sravani Adusumalli, Fatemeh Akhlaghi, James L. Hougland, Agnieszka Sulima, Kenner C. Rice, George F. Koob, Leandro F. Vendruscolo, Birgitte Holst, Lorenzo Leggio
Summary: The metabolite PF-6870961 of PF-5190457 has been identified as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder. It shows binding affinity and inverse agonist activity at GHSR1a, and can suppress food intake in rats through GHSR receptor-mediated pathways.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Hossein Sanjari Moghaddam, Shahin Akhondzadeh
PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jillian T. Battista, Daria Piacentino, Melanie L. Schwandt, Mary R. Lee, Monica L. Faulkner, Mehdi Farokhnia, Lorenzo Leggio
Summary: Early life adversity (ELA) has lasting effects on adult mental and physical health, including higher risk of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and alcohol misuse. Inflammation, assessed through hsCRP, may mediate the relationship between ELA and alcohol use. Study findings indicate that early life stress and alcohol consumption are associated with increased hsCRP levels, suggesting that elevated inflammation may contribute to unhealthy alcohol use in adulthood.
Article
Substance Abuse
Mehdi Farokhnia, Tammy Wang, Tony Jourdan, Grzegorz Godlewski, Lisa A. Farinelli, George Kunos, Lorenzo Leggio
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that the interaction between the central nervous system and the periphery, particularly through fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), plays a crucial role in the development of neuropsychiatric conditions and addictive disorders. This study examined the relationship between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and FGF21 levels in non-treatment seeking individuals using both outpatient and laboratory settings. The findings showed that while FGF21 levels remained stable during the outpatient phase, there was a significant increase in serum FGF21 concentrations following alcohol self-administration in a controlled laboratory experiment. These results highlight the potential of targeting the FGF21 system as a pharmacotherapy for AUD.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Mehran Nematizadeh, Hossein Ghorbanzadeh, Hossein Sanjari Moghaddam, Mohammadreza Shalbafan, Mahsa Boroon, Amir-Abbas Keshavarz-Akhlaghi, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Summary: The main aim of this study was to investigate the additional effects of L-theanine on OCD symptoms in combination with fluvoxamine. The results suggest that L-theanine can be a relatively safe and effective adjuvant therapy for moderate to severe OCD.
PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Vicky Chuong, Mehdi Farokhnia, Sophia Khom, Claire L. Pince, Sophie K. Elvig, Roman Vlkolinsky, Renata C. N. Marchette, George F. Koob, Marisa Roberto, Leandro F. Vendruscolo, Lorenzo Leggio
Summary: Growing evidence suggests the involvement of the GLP-1 system in addictive behaviors, and GLP-1 analogues like semaglutide may be a potential treatment for AUD. This study found that semaglutide dose-dependently reduced binge-like drinking in mice and also decreased alcohol intake in rats with binge-like and dependence-induced drinking. Additionally, semaglutide modulated GABA neurotransmission in the central amygdala and infralimbic cortex, indicating its potential as a novel pharmacotherapy for AUD.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ahmad Shamabadi, Farnaz Kafi, Melika Arab Bafrani, Hassan Asadigandomani, Fatemeh A. Basti, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Summary: This study found that adjunctive L-theanine, when combined with sertraline, showed better efficacy in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to placebo. The L-theanine group demonstrated significant improvement in depression symptoms and a greater reduction in depression scores compared to the placebo group at weeks 2, 4, and 6. Furthermore, the L-theanine group had higher remission and response rates at week 6. These findings suggest that L-theanine is a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for MDD.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Sara Momtazmanesh, Sahar Ansari, Zahra Izadi, Parnian Shobeiri, Venus Vatankhah, Arash Seifi, Fereshteh Ghiasvand, Mahboobeh Bahrami, Mohammdreza Salehi, Ahmad Ali Noorbala, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Summary: This study investigates the efficacy and safety of famotidine in improving cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety symptoms post-COVID-19. The results show that patients in the famotidine group had significantly higher MMSE and MoCA scores, as well as reduced HAM-D and HAM-A scores, compared to the placebo group. The study suggests that famotidine is safe and effective in treating cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety symptoms induced by COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Substance Abuse
Mehdi Farokhnia, Christopher T. Rentsch, Vicky Chuong, M. Adrienne McGinn, Sophie K. Elvig, Eliza A. Douglass, Luis A. Gonzalez, Jenna E. Sanfilippo, Renata C. N. Marchette, Brendan J. Tunstall, David A. Fiellin, George F. Koob, Amy C. Justice, Lorenzo Leggio, Leandro F. Vendruscolo
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sophia Esalatmanesh, Ladan Kashani, Maryam Khooshideh, Hossein Sanjari Moghaddam, Sahar Ansari, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of adjunctive celecoxib with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an anti-inflammatory agent, in the treatment of postpartum depression. The results showed that adjunctive celecoxib is effective in improving postpartum depressive symptoms.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Madeline E. Crozier, Mehdi Farokhnia, Susan Persky, Lorenzo Leggio, Brenda Curtis
Summary: Self-stigma is associated with the severity of alcohol use disorder and craving. Higher levels of self-stigma are related to more severe AUD, greater alcohol consumption, and more obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to alcohol.
