Crocus sativus L. aqueous extract reduces atherogenesis, increases atherosclerotic plaque stability and improves glucose control in diabetic atherosclerotic animals

Preparation, chemical characterization and determination of crocetin's pharmacokinetics after oral and intravenous administration of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract to C57/BL6J mice

“…The results of the present work, in conjunction to the previously published showing the cardioprotective and anti‐atherosclerotic effect of SFE, consist great evidence of the pharmacological properties of SFE and can be used to support the study and exploration of its potential therapeutic applications.…”

“…However, a wide‐spectrum of potential pharmaceutical applications has been reported for saffron with the most remarkable effects being attributed to its main natural carotenoids, crocin and crocetin . In parallel, an increasing number of research studies on the possible clinical uses of saffron have been conducted, mainly against malignancies and Alzheimer's disease, as well as regarding its anti‐atherosclerotic and cardioprotective effect . Experiments conducted in rodents, showed that orally administered crocins are hydrolyzed to crocetin before being incorporated into blood circulation and that crocetin is likely to be metabolized to glucuronide conjugates both in the intestinal mucosa and in the liver of mice …”

“…Most of the relevant PK studies are conducted after administration of the main active constituents namely crocin or its main metabolite crocetin, while there is only one study where serum crocetin levels are measured with a developed HPLC method in the plasma of four healthy volunteers after consumption of one cup of saffron tea . We recently performed preliminary pharmacokinetic experiments for the selection of the proper dose range to study the anti‐atherosclerotic and cardioprotective effects of saffron . However, a systematic study and evaluation of basic serum and tissue pharmacokinetic parameters after administration of saffron extract are missing and could help to explore its possible pharmaceutical applications.…”

“…[1,2] In parallel, an increasing number of research studies on the possible clinical uses of saffron have been conducted, mainly against malignancies [6][7][8][9] and Alzheimer's disease, [6,9,10] as well as regarding its anti-atherosclerotic and cardioprotective effect. [11,12] Experiments conducted in rodents, showed that orally administered crocins are hydrolyzed to crocetin before being incorporated into blood circulation and that crocetin is likely to be metabolized to glucuronide conjugates both in the intestinal mucosa and in the liver of mice. [13,14] To explain the chemical and pharmacological properties of saffron, the chemical profile of the extract deriving from the stigmatic lobes of the C. sativus L. flower should be evaluated.…”

“…[23] We recently performed preliminary pharmacokinetic experiments for the selection of the proper dose range to study the anti-atherosclerotic and cardioprotective effects of saffron. [11,12] However, a systematic study and evaluation of basic serum and tissue pharmacokinetic parameters after administration of saffron extract are missing and could help to explore its possible pharmaceutical applications.…”