Comparative assessment of immunomodulatory, proliferative, and antioxidant activities of crocin and crocetin on mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus L) is a well‐known spice with active pharmacologic components including crocin, crocetin, safranal, and picrocrocin. Similar to crocin/crocetin, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to display immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties, which could be beneficial in treatment of various diseases. In the current study, we have evaluated the effects of crocin and crocetin on the functions of MSCs. We used the 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide assay to evaluate MSCs proliferation, and flow cytometry assay to measure the percentage of apoptotic MSCs and Tregs populations. Furthermore, we used the real‐time polymerase chain reaction method to quantify messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Antioxidant assay was employed to quantify antioxidant parameters including nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels besides superoxide dismutase activity. Our findings indicated that both crocin and crocetin at low concentrations (2.5 and 5 µM) exhibited significant effects on increasing MSCs viability and on protecting them against apoptosis‐induced death. Furthermore, crocin and crocetin at low concentrations (2.5 and 5 µM) displayed a better antioxidant function. Moreover, increased Treg population was observed at lower doses. In addition, crocin/crocetin at low concentrations caused an elevation in mRNA expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokines (transforming growth factor‐β, interleukin‐10 [IL‐10], and IL‐4), while at higher doses (25 and 50 µM) they led to lowering inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐17, and interferon gamma). Altogether, both crocin and crocetin at lower concentrations exhibited more efficacies on MSCs with a better effect toward crocin. It seems that crocin and crocetin may be considered as complementary treatments for the patients who undergo MSCs transplantation.

Effect of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials

“…The major components of saffron have been studied in animal and cellular models and have been shown to have positive effects on the level and activity of enzymes involved in cellular antioxidant activity, such as CAT and SOD. Meanwhile, the levels of recognized markers of OS, such as MDA (an indicator of the peroxidation of lipids), were shown to be decreased after treatment with saffron constituents (reviewed in Lopresti & Drummond, 2014 ; Yousefi et al., 2020 ).…”

Potential Nutraceutical Benefits of In Vivo Grown Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) As Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Anticoagulant, and Antidepressant in Mice

“…Saffron tea has been reputed to be a potential complementary treatment for psoriasis in medical nutrition therapy [13]. Many pharmacological studies have shown that this plant and its phytochemicals have emerged as nutraceutical elements, endowed with beneficial effects on health showing antibacterial [14], antioxidant, cytotoxic [15,16], antifungal [17], immunomodulatory [18,19], anti-mutagenic [20], aphrodisiac [21], antitussives [22,23], and antiplatelet effects [24]. Traditional and modern biomedical reports have also proved saffron to cure coronary artery diseases [25], respiratory diseases [26], menstrual disorders [27,28], and neurodegenerative disorders [29].…”

Comparative assessment of proliferation and immunomodulatory potential of Hypericum perforatum plant and callus extracts on mesenchymal stem cells derived adipose tissue from multiple sclerosis patients

“…The medium was replaced to remove non-adherent cells every 2 days. When the monolayer cells reached about 90% confluence, were detached from the culture flask by applying 25% Trypsin-EDTA Gibco for more tests (Yousefi et al 2020).…”