Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Renata Matraszek-Gawron, Miroslawa Chwil, Karol Terlecki, Michal Marian Skoczylas
Summary: This systematic review examines the antidepressant effects of Crocus sativus compounds and their mechanisms of action. The study finds that aqueous and alcoholic extracts, as well as biologically active compounds isolated from various parts of the plant, show effectiveness and safety in the adjuvant treatment of depression and anxiety. The main proposed mechanisms of antidepressant action include monoamine reuptake inhibition, NMDA receptor antagonism, and GABA-α agonism.
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)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiahao Zhang, Jiemiao Lu, Yichun Zhu, Qinger Huang, Luping Qin, Bo Zhu
Summary: This study identified differences in the microbial community of the rhizosphere soil of Crocus sativus with different corm rot disease resistance, and revealed the role of four rhizospheric microorganisms in providing the host plant with resistance against corm rot. The biocontrol microorganisms obtained could be potentially utilized for application research and field management.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
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)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nikita Agarwal, Nikolai Kolba, YeonJin Jung, Jacquelyn Cheng, Elad Tako
Summary: This study assessed the effects of saffron flower water extract (CFWE) on hemoglobin, brush border membrane (BBM) functionality, intestinal gene expression, and cecal microbiome in Gallus gallus. The results showed that CFWE had negative effects on BBM functionality, morphology, mineral absorption, microbial populations, and iron status.
Article
Horticulture
Mohammed E. El-Mahrouk, Yaser Hassan Dewir, Hassan El-Ramady, Mayada Kadri Seliem
Summary: In this study, the effects of six growing media on the flowering, vegetative growth performance, and daughter corm formation of potted saffron were investigated. The results showed that plants grown in sandy soil or peatmoss + foam had the highest values of stigma fresh weight, root weight, and number and diameter of daughter corms. The mixture of peatmoss and foam was found to be the optimal growing medium for potted saffron production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olha Mykhailenko, Vilma Petrikaite, Michal Korinek, Fang-Rong Chang, Mohamed El-Shazly, Chia-Hung Yen, Ivan Bezruk, Bing-Hung Chen, Chung-Fan Hsieh, Dmytro Lytkin, Liudas Ivanauskas, Victoriya Georgiyants, Tsong-Long Hwang
Summary: This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of Crocus leaves and evaluate their cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. The results showed that the ethanol extract of Crocus leaves exhibited higher cytotoxicity against melanoma and triple-negative breast cancer cells compared to the aqueous extract. The major active ingredients in the leaf extracts were mangiferin and isoorientin. Kaempferol and quercetin were identified as the most active compounds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jue Tu, Yanfei He, Huifang Zhang, Juanjuan Wang, Zhenhao Li, Hongxiang Sun
Summary: Two polysaccharides (PCSPA and PCSPB) from Crocus sativus petals were found to have immunopotentiation activity and improve innate immunity in mice. In this study, the anti-tumor activity of PCSPB was evaluated using a S180 sarcoma-bearing mouse model. PCSPB not only showed low toxicity to tumor cells but also significantly suppressed the growth of S180 sarcomas by inducing tumor cell necrosis, apoptosis, and vessel disruption, and by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages from a tumorigenic M2 phenotype to an antitumorigenic M1 phenotype.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Khadim Hussain, Amit Kumar, Mohd Fayaz, Prashant Misra, Nasheeman Ashraf
Summary: This study identified a transcription factor called CstMYB14 from Crocus sativus L. that regulates the biosynthesis of apocarotenoids, which in turn enhance plant stress tolerance. The study also established a molecular link between ROS signaling, apocarotenoid metabolism, and stress tolerance.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2022)
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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ciriana Orabona, Elena Orecchini, Claudia Volpi, Federico Bacaloni, Eleonora Panfili, Cinzia Pagano, Luana Perioli, Maria Laura Belladonna
Summary: This study found that the extract from Crocus sativus L. petals has anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic effects, which could be important in a circular economy.
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yuanfeng Wu, Yucui Gong, Juan Sun, Yao Zhang, Zisheng Luo, Sabir Z. Nishanbaev, Durbek Usmanov, Xinjie Song, Ligen Zou, Maria Jose Benito
Summary: This paper reviews the current state of research on the natural active components and biological activities of saffron byproducts, aiming to provide a theoretical and scientific foundation for their further utilization.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadia Naim, Aziz Bouymajane, Yassine Oulad El Majdoub, Said Ezrari, Rachid Lahlali, Abdessalem Tahiri, Said Ennahli, Roberto Lagana Vinci, Francesco Cacciola, Luigi Mondello, Ilham Madani
Summary: This study investigates the phenolic composition and antibacterial properties of hydroethanolic extracts from Crocus sativus L. petals collected in Serghina, Morocco. The extracts were found to contain 27 phenolic compounds, with the most abundant being kaempferol-sophoroside isomer. The extracts showed bactericidal effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, and bacteriostatic effects against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. These findings suggest that Crocus sativus L. petal extracts could be valuable sources of natural antibacterial agents for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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
Food Science & Technology
Adal Mena-Garcia, Diego Herrero-Gutierrez, Maria L. Sanz, Marina Diez-Municio, Ana I. Ruiz-Matute
Summary: Food supplements made from saffron extracts are popular due to their various bioactive properties, and it is important to standardize these extracts to ensure product quality and safety. The current methods of standardization, which focus on the safranal content, may not provide accurate measurements. This study suggests using crocin isomers and trans-/cis-crocins, as well as the trans-4 GG/picrocrocin ratios, as new criteria for saffron extract standardization. The relative content of these components and their stability over 36 months in a commercial standardized saffron extract were successfully demonstrated.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hammad Ismail, Dania Khalid, Saad Bin Ayub, Muhammad Umar Ijaz, Samra Akram, Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti, Malik Mumtaz Taqi, Erum Dilshad, Sadaf Anwaar, Gaber El-Saber Batiha, Sarah S. Aggad, Fatimah M. Yousef, Michel De Waard
Summary: This study evaluates the effect of Phoenix dactylifera seeds extract in treating Alzheimer's disease. Results showed that the extract-treated group had significantly decreased blood glucose levels and improved memory behavior. The levels of enzymes like insulin and choline esterase were also enhanced, indicating the potential of P. dactylifera seeds in treating AD.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marwa El-Sheikh, Ayman Mesalam, Atif Ali Khan Khalil, Muhammad Idrees, Mi-Jeong Ahn, Ahmed Atef Mesalam, Il-Keun Kong
Summary: In this study, we investigated the toxicity of juglone and its relationship with PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling during the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Results showed that juglone exposure led to a significant decrease in F-actin accumulation and downregulation of various genes related to oocyte development and meiosis progression. Juglone treatment also resulted in decreased expression of markers associated with glycolysis, ATP synthesis, OXPHOS, and oocyte survival, as well as lower expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Additionally, juglone-exposed oocytes exhibited increased expression of autophagy markers and DNA damage-specific markers.
Letter
Genetics & Heredity
Khurram Liaqat, Thashi Bharadwaj, Khadim Shah, Abdul Nasir, Anushree Acharya, Saadullah Khan, Irfan Ullah, Isabelle Schrauwen, Wasim Ahmad, Suzanne M. Leal
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nasima Arshad, Uzma Parveen, Pervaiz Ali Channar, Aamer Saeed, Waseem Sharaf Saeed, Fouzia Perveen, Aneela Javed, Hammad Ismail, Muhammad Ismail Mir, Atteeque Ahmed, Basit Azad, Ishaq Khan
Summary: Three bis-acyl-thiourea derivatives were synthesized and characterized, and their DNA binding, anti-urease, and anticancer activities were explored. The results showed that these derivatives exhibited binding interactions with DNA, with UP-1 showing better inhibitory efficiency against urease and higher cytotoxicity against cancerous and healthy cell lines.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yasir Anwar, Sajjad Ullah Khan, Ihsan Ullah, Hassan A. Hemeg, Rahma Ashamrani, Nadiah Al-sulami, Ezzudin Ghazi Alniami, Mohammed Hashem Alqethami, Abrar Ullah
Summary: In this study, 11 endophytic bacteria were isolated from Silybum marianum collected from heavy metal polluted sites. Three of these isolates showed multiple beneficial features, including heavy metal resistance, plant growth stimulation, IAA production, heavy metal toxicity remediation, and antibacterial activity. These bacteria were also found to promote the translocation and degradation of heavy metals in Brassica napus plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Aamir Khan, Mohammad Safdar Baloch, Naimat Ullah, Sheikh Zain Ul Abidin, Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti, Raees Khan, Asghar Ali Khan, Hammad Ismail, Asma Saeed, Hadia Gul
Summary: This study compared the performance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as bio-fertilizer with commercially available phosphate fertilizers on wheat crop. The results showed that the application of N2-fixing bacteria as PSB had the best effect.
PLANT SCIENCE TODAY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Wali Khan, Hafeez ur Rahman, Yousef Abdal Jalil Fadladdin, Naseem Rafiq, Robi Naz, Patricio R. de los Rios-Escalante, Shabir Ahmad, Shouaa Abdulaziz Alrobaish, Noorah Saleh Al-Sowayan
Summary: This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and information sources of pregnant women in the Malakand region of Pakistan regarding toxoplasmosis. The findings revealed poor knowledge about toxoplasmosis among the participants, with 31.2% having good knowledge, 39.2% having moderate knowledge, and 29.5% having poor knowledge. The number of children within pregnant multipara women was significantly associated with knowledge about toxoplasmosis.
JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ashraf B. Abdel-Naim, Emad H. M. Hassanein, Lenah S. Binmahfouz, Amina M. Bagher, Rawan H. Hareeri, Mardi M. Algandaby, Yousef A. J. Fadladdin, Lotfi Aleya, Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
Summary: The study evaluated the potential hepatoprotective effects of lycopene (LCP) against chlorpyrifos (CPF)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The results showed that LCP protected the liver by inhibiting the increase in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase induced by CPF. LCP also prevented liver tissue damage by reducing bile duct proliferation and periductal fibrosis caused by CPF.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hammad Ismail, Dania Khalid, Durdana Waseem, Muhammad Umar Ijaz, Erum Dilshad, Milkyas Ihsan-ul Haq, Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti, Sadaf Anwaar, Madiha Ahmed, Samreen Saleem
Summary: The study revealed that berberine from Berberis lycium exhibited anti-Alzheimer's effects by improving memory, increasing neurotransmitter levels, and reducing beta-secretase expression in the Alzheimer's disease model.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaona Cui, Bo Qin, Chaoyun Xia, Hong Li, Zhiye Li, Zhisong Li, Abdul Nasir, Qian Bai
Summary: This study utilized RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to uncover the expression profile of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and pain-related genes in trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP). The findings suggest that ncRNAs are involved in TNP development and are associated with anxiety, depression, inflammation, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Amana Shafiq, Farzana Abbas, Muhammad Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Bushra Nisar Khan, Ayesha Aihetasham, Iffat Amin, Ramzi A. Hmidullah, Ramzi A. Mothana, Mohammed S. Alharbi, Imran Khan, Atif Ali Khan Khalil, Bashir Ahmad, Nimra Mubeen, Muneeba Akram, Jarl Bogwald, Luca Villa, Aleksandra Uzelac, Ivana Klun
Summary: This study examined the prevalence, diversity, and mean intensity of parasites in 9 freshwater fish species. A total of 26 species of parasites were identified, with the highest diversity found in the Okara site. Labeo rohita had the highest number of parasites, while Notopterus notopterus and Sperata seenghala appeared to be resistant species. The study also found that parasite prevalence increased with the length, size, and age of fish.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fazli Khuda, Irum Zahir, Atif Ali Khan Khalil, Sajid Ali, Naveed Ullah, Ahmed H. Albariqi, Mi-Jeong Ahn, Muhammad Shafique, Sultan Mehtap Buyuker, Saud Almawash
Summary: This study successfully prepared physcion nanoparticles using an antisolvent precipitation with a syringe pump method, which showed enhanced dissolution rate and antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Parkha Riaz Nasrullah, Bismillah Sehar, Mahpara Safdar, Sadia Fatima, Falak Zeb, Jahan Shah, Atif Ali Khan Khalil, Bilal Ahmed, Ali Saad R. Alsubaie, Muhammad Haidar Zaman
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of Ajwa dates pit powder (ADP) on lipid profile, body composition, and blood pressure in patients with hyperlipidemia. The results showed that ADP significantly reduced body weight, fat mass, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels compared to the control group. These findings suggest that ADP may have the potential to improve dyslipidemia and obesity.
AVICENNA JOURNAL OF PHYTOMEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Surgery
Abdul Nasir, De-Liang Li, Bing-Rong Liu
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fazli Khuda, Irum Zahir, Atif Ali Khan Khalil, Sajid Ali, Naveed Ullah, Ahmed H. Albariqi, Mi-Jeong Ahn, Muhammad Shafique, Sultan Mehtap Buyuker, Saud Almawash
Summary: This study successfully prepared physcion nanoparticles using an antisolvent precipitation with a syringe pump method, which showed enhanced solubility, dissolution rate, and antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.