Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina Saltykova, Assylbek Zhylkibayev, Oleg S. Gorbatyuk, Marina S. Gorbatyuk
Summary: This study validates translational attenuation in P23H RHO retinas degenerating at a slower rate and demonstrates that GADD34 ablation does not impact translation rate but further suppresses retinal protein synthesis and apoptotic cell death. The molecular analysis reveals that GADD34 also controls cytokine expression and STAT3 activation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Deepak Kothari, Meenakshi Thakur, Robin Joshi, Amit Kumar, Rakesh Kumar
Summary: This study evaluated the morphological, yield, and quality parameters of saffron in six different non-traditional regions of the western Himalayas and found that dry stigma yield was significantly higher in location L-3 compared to other locations. The suitable climatic conditions in specific locations contributed to higher yield and quality of saffron.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Nikolaos P. E. Kadoglou, Eirini Christodoulou, Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos, Georgia Valsami
Summary: While animal studies have shown positive effects of saffron and its components on cardiovascular risk factors, current clinical trials demonstrate weak effects, especially in terms of blood glucose, lipid profile, and blood pressure reduction. Large-scale, high-quality clinical trials are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of saffron in cardiovascular diseases.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Stefania Stelluti, Gianluca Grasso, Sergio G. Nebauer, Gonzalo Luis Alonso, Begona Renau-Morata, Matteo Caser, Sonia Demasi, Erica Lumini, Maria Lourdes Gomez-Gomez, Rosa Victoria Molina, Valeria Bianciotto, Valentina Scariot
Summary: This study investigated the influence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) on the production of saffron apocarotenoids and the properties of the spice. The expression of certain key genes involved in apocarotenoid synthesis was found to be influenced by AMF, leading to changes in the composition of saffron. These findings are important for understanding the physiology and quality of saffron.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Natalia Moratalla-Lopez, Shirin Parizad, Mina Koohi Habibi, Stephan Winter, Siamak Kalantari, Sayanta Bera, Candida Lorenzo, M. Valle Garcia-Rodriguez, Akbar Dizadji, Gonzalo L. Alonso
Summary: The dehydration process is necessary for preserving saffron, with different drying methods affecting the content of main compounds. Research found that differences in main compound content between freeze-dried and dark-dried samples can help differentiate saffron, while virus infection status also plays a role.
Article
Horticulture
Stefania Stelluti, Matteo Caser, Sonia Demasi, Esteban Rodriguez Herrero, Irene Garcia-Gonzalez, Erica Lumini, Valeria Bianciotto, Valentina Scariot
Summary: This study investigated the cultivation of saffron in hydroponics using beneficial microorganisms. The results showed that the microorganisms did not increase flower and spice yield significantly, but they enhanced the content of safranal, especially when PGPR and AMF were used together. Furthermore, the microorganisms also increased corm yield and weight.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Adal Mena-Garcia, Maria L. Sanz, Marina Diez-Municio, Ana I. Ruiz-Matute
Summary: Considering the interest in the bioactive properties of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a new multianalytical strategy using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) was developed and validated to detect frauds affecting saffron-based food supplements (SFS). The results showed discrepancies between declared content and actual content in 65% of the cases, indicating a high susceptibility to adulteration. The multianalytical methodology also identified undeclared additives and the non-declared addition of vegetable sources other than saffron, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment of SFS quality.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hamid Rigi, Leila Mohtashami, Maryam Asnaashari, Seyed A. Emami, Zahra Tayarani-Najaran
Summary: Saffron, known as Crocus sativus L., is widely used as a coloring agent, food additive, and medicinal spice with beneficial effects on treating various diseases, especially skin disorders. Its chemical components contribute to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, depigmenting, and repairing activities on the skin.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shih-Fang Wu, Chih-Yao Lin, Rong-Kung Tsai, Yao-Tseng Wen, Feng-Huei Lin, Chia-Yu Chang, Ching- Shen, Shinn-Zong Lin, Horng-Jyh Harn, Tzyy-Wen Chiou, Chin-San Liu, Yan-Ting Chen, Hong-Lin Su
Summary: Research found that mitochondrial transplantation can moderately attenuate the degeneration of retinal layers in RCS rats. This result was confirmed through histological examination and OCT measurement of retina thickness. VEP analysis showed that the transmission time of electrical signals after mitochondrial transplantation was similar to the normal value. The results suggest that mitochondrial transplantation can improve the degeneration of photoreceptors in RCS rats and have potential for clinical application.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yaser Mohammadi, Azam Rezaei Farimani, Hossein Beydokhti, Seyed Mohammad Riahi
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of saffron, crocin, and safranal on serum levels of oxidants and antioxidants in diabetic rats. The results showed that saffron, crocin, and safranal were able to significantly reduce the serum levels of oxidants and increase the serum levels of antioxidants. Saffron had the highest effectiveness in reducing serum malondialdehyde and increasing total antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest the potential antidiabetic effects of saffron and its effective compounds, but more human studies are needed.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sanju Nanda, Kumud Madan
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced due to oxidative stress, leading to degenerative diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, cancer, and aging. Antioxidants such as safranal can neutralize these harmful effects and be used as therapeutic agents. Research has shown the immense antioxidant potential of safranal in combating oxidative stress and various diseases, making it a subject of interest for researchers worldwide.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fatemeh Jafari, Seyed Ahmad Emami, Behjat Javadi, Zahra Salmasi, Mona Tayarani-Najjaran, Zahra Tayarani-Najaran
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effect of saffron and its bioactive compounds on the adipocyte differentiation in human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs).
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Camille Pouchieu, Line Pourtau, Julie Brossaud, David Gaudout, Jean-Benoit Corcuff, Lucile Capuron, Nathalie Castanon, Pierre Philip
Summary: According to animal studies, saffron and its main volatile compound safranal can reduce the signs of acute stress in animals. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of saffron extract and safranal on the biological and psychological stress responses in healthy men. The results showed that saffron extract and safranal significantly reduced stress and anxiety in the participants, as well as delayed the peak concentrations of salivary cortisol and cortisone.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rocio Bautista-Perez, Agustina Cano-Martinez, Elisa Gutierrez-Velazquez, Martin Martinez-Rosas, Rosa M. Perez-Gutierrez, Francisco Jimenez-Gomez, Javier Flores-Estrada
Summary: The study demonstrated that SME could attenuate retinal degeneration in diabetic rats by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through inhibition of the CML-RAGE interaction.
Article
Cell Biology
Lorena Perdices, Lorena Fuentes-Broto, Francisco Segura, Ana Cavero, Elvira Orduna-Hospital, Gema Insa-Sanchez, Ana Isabel Sanchez-Cano, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Nicolas Cuenca, Isabel Pinilla
Summary: EGCG can protect against retinal degenerative diseases and reduce visual function loss in animal models of RP.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Oksana Kutsyr, Agustina Noailles, Natalia Martinez-Gil, Lucia Maestre-Carballa, Manuel Martinez-Garcia, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Victoria Maneu, Nicolas Cuenca, Pedro Lax
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Henar Albertos-Arranz, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Natalia Martinez-Gil, Agustina Noailles Gil, Ramon Calvo Andres, Clara Monferrer Adsuara, Lidia Remoli Sargues, Javier Montero Hernandez, Nicolas Cuenca
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Letter
Ophthalmology
Ana Boned-Murillo, Maria D. Diaz-Barreda, Isabel Pinilla
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jee-Young Lee, Antonio Martin-Bastida, Ane Murueta-Goyena, Inigo Gabilondo, Nicolas Cuenca, Paola Piccini, Beomseok Jeon
Summary: This review highlights the importance of in vivo imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson disease (PD). By combining various imaging techniques such as PET, single-photon emission CT, MRI, and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT), the early diagnosis and management of PD can be aided.
NATURE REVIEWS NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Guisela Fernandez-Espinosa, Ana Boned-Murillo, Elvira Orduna-Hospital, Maria Dolores Diaz-Barreda, Ana Sanchez-Cano, Sofia Bielsa-Alonso, Javier Acha, Isabel Pinilla
Summary: This study evaluated retinal vascularization in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and moderate diabetic retinopathy using optical tomography angiography. The results showed a decrease in vascular density and an increase in foveal avascular zone area, with significant correlations to disease duration and age.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel Pinilla, Victoria Maneu, Laura Campello, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Natalia Martinez-Gil, Oksana Kutsyr, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Pedro Lax, Nicolas Cuenca
Summary: Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of the retina and loss of visual function. Oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the pathophysiology of IRDs. Gene therapy has shown some success in treating IRDs, but other therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress and inflammation are also being investigated.
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Natalia Martinez-Gil, Victoria Maneu, Oksana Kutsyr, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Laura Campello, Pedro Lax, Isabel Pinilla, Nicolas Cuenca
Summary: Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are characterized by common physiopathology features, including cell death accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. The vulnerability of retinal cells to oxidative and nitrosative imbalance compromises their function. As the disease progresses, retinal cells undergo morphological and functional changes, leading to tissue remodeling.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Martinez-Gil, Oksana Kutsyr, Agustina Noailles, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Lorena Vidal, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Pedro Lax, Nicolas Cuenca, Antonio G. Garcia, Victoria Maneu
Summary: P2X7R and P2X4R play important roles in retinal diseases and their expression increases during disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Anatomy & Morphology
Luis Perez de Sevilla, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Isabel Ortuno-Lizaran, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Pedro Lax, Nicolas Cuenca
Summary: This study aimed to determine if starburst amacrine cells, involved in motion direction selectivity, are degenerated in Parkinson's disease (PD) and if the dopaminergic system is related to this degeneration. The results showed a reduction in starburst amacrine cell density and a decrease in dopaminergic synaptic contacts in PD retinas. In conclusion, the degeneration of starburst amacrine cells in PD is related to dopaminergic degeneration, and dopaminergic amacrine cells play a role in modulating the function of starburst amacrine cells. Assessment of motion perception circuitries using visual tests could be a valuable tool for PD diagnosis.
TRANSLATIONAL NEURODEGENERATION
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Henar Albertos-Arranz, Natalia Martinez-Gil, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Agustina Noailles, Clara Monferrer Adsuara, Lidia Remoli Sargues, Juan J. Perez-Santonja, Pedro Lax, Ramon Calvo Andres, Nicolas Cuenca
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19 affected retinal cells and establish correlations with clinical parameters. Immunostaining and confocal microscopy analysis revealed that Muller cells in COVID-19 patients showed stronger expression of ACE2 and CRALBP, and the retinas exhibited glial activation and neuronal alterations, mainly related to inflammation, hypoxic conditions, and age.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Guisela Fernandez-Espinosa, Carlos Ruiz-Tabuenca, Elvira Orduna-Hospital, Isabel Pinilla, Francisco J. Salgado-Remacha
Summary: The aim of this study was to reduce the variability of manual segmentation of the Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) in retinal optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images. A new criterion was established based on the comparison of segmentations by different observers, resulting in smaller FAZ areas and slightly reduced acircularity values in all groups.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Boned-Murillo, Guisela Fernandez-Espinosa, Elvira Orduna-Hospital, Maria Dolores Diaz-Barreda, Ana Sanchez-Cano, Maria Sopena-Pinilla, Sofia Bielsa-Alonso, Isabel Pinilla
Summary: This study analyzes the retinal thickness and sensitivity in DM2 patients and correlates the results with blood lipid levels and MAIA measurements, providing an accurate method for assessing moderate DR in DM2 patients. Thinning of GCL+ and GCL++ may support ganglion cell loss before RNFL damage.