Evaluation of modulatory effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract on oxidative stress in ischemic stroke patients: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been widely used in traditional medicine as a treatment of nervous disorders. Saffron as an antioxidant can be considered effective for treatment of oxidative stress in ischemia stroke. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of aqueous extract of saffron in reducing oxidative stress in ischemic strokes patients. METHODS: Forty patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomly divided into two groups including control group and saffron group. During 4 days of experiment, control group received routine stroke care and saffron group received routine care plus capsule of saffron 400 mg/day (200 mg twice per day). Then, two groups were compared using the National Institute of Health Stoke Scale (NIHSS) and serum oxidative stress biomarkers, at the time of hospital admission and 4 days later as well. RESULTS: On the fourth day after ischemic stroke onset, antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were higher in the saffron group compared to the control group, while malondialdehyde (MDA) level was lower. In addition, the severity of stroke, based on the NIHSS scores, was significantly reduced after 4 days in the saffron group. The severity of stroke was negatively correlated with the levels of GSH and TAC and positively correlated with MDA level. CONCLUSIONS: Saffron has modulatory effects on ischemic-induced oxidative stress due to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties. Thus, saffron extract can be considered as a potential candidate therapy of the ischemic brain.

Protective properties of the aqueous extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in ischemic stroke, randomized clinical trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Crocus sativus L. has been used throughout the world in traditional medicine as a treatment for neurological disorders such as depression. Growing attention is currently being paid to the use of neuroprotective agents in ischemic strokes. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study assed the effect of saffron as a neuroprotective natural product in cerebral ischemia in human. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomly allocated to receive either routine stroke care (control group, n = 20) or routine care plus aqueous extract of saffron capsule (200 mg/day) (saffron-treated group, n = 19). Both groups were monitored during their four-day hospital stay and the three-month follow-up period. The groups were compared in terms of short- and long-term effects of saffron capsules using the National Institute of Health Stoke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Scale, and serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), S100 levels. RESULTS: Based on the NIHSS, the severity of stroke during the first four days was significantly lower in the saffron-treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared to the levels on the first day, serum NSE and s100 levels were significantly decreased and BDNF concentration was increased in the saffron-treated group on the fourth day. Also, our results showed there was a negative significant non-linear cubic regression between BDNF concentration and score of NIHSS. At the end of the three-month follow-up period, the mean Barthel index was significantly higher in the saffron-treated group than in the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirmed the short and long-term neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of saffron on ischemic stroke in humans.