Saffron antioxidant effects

Crocin is a carotenoid from the stigma of the saffron flower with many medicinal properties, including antioxidant effects. Crocin has the ability to prevent amyloid formation. The antiamy-loidogenic effect of crocin may be exerted not only by the inhibition of Ap amyloid formation but also by the disruption of amyloid aggregate [384],... 

Crocus sativus (Saffron, Safranal). Saffron (Crocus sativus) and its active metabolite safranal display neuropharmacological effects with anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective activity. Safranal decreases quinolinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and prevents the decrease of hippocampal thiol redox and antioxidant status produced by quinolinic acid [242],... 

Spices have been also considered to be nutraceuticals. Curry powder, a commercial spice blend from India used nowadays worldwide, includes mr-meric, obtained from Curcuma longa. Beneficial effects of turmeric, known in Europe as Indian saffron since medieval times, have been associated to one of its components, curcumin with antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cancer preventive activities [33-35]. 

Saffron extracts and their crocin compounds inhibit amyloid-beta protein deposition and improve learning and memory functions in mice which suggests a possible benefit in the management of Alzheimer s disease and other memory impairment conditions.This effect may be attributed to the antioxidant/ free radical scavenging activity frequently reported for saffron and its major constitu-... 

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