Saffron anti-ininammatory and inhibition of toxic α-Syn protein aggregation

[Bolt_Upright]

Anybody using Saffron? Meet me over at the John_morris71 post to chat about it! SAFFRON and CNS diseases (PD, AD, etc.) healthunlocked.com/cure-par....

[Bolt_Upright]

Widespread brain transcriptome alterations underlie the neuroprotective actions of dietary saffron 2016 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

Abstract

Dietary saffron has shown promise as a neuroprotective intervention in clinical trials of retinal degeneration and dementia and in animal models of multiple CNS disorders, including Parkinson's disease. This therapeutic potential makes it important to define the relationship between dose and protection and the mechanisms involved. To explore these two issues, mice were pre-conditioned by providing an aqueous extract of saffron (0.01% w/v) as their drinking water for 2, 5 or 10 days before administration of the parkinsonian neurotoxin MPTP (50 mg/kg). Five days of saffron pre-conditioning provided the greatest benefit against MPTP-induced neuropathology, significantly mitigating both loss of functional dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta (p < 0.01) and abnormal neuronal activity in the caudate-putamen complex (p < 0.0001). RNA microarray analysis of the brain transcriptome of mice pre-conditioned with saffron for 5 days revealed differential expression of 424 genes. Bioinformatics analysis identified enrichment of molecular pathways (e.g. adherens junction, TNFR1 and Fas signaling) and expression changes in candidate genes (Cyr61, Gpx8, Ndufs4, and Nos1ap) with known neuroprotective actions. The apparent biphasic nature of the dose–response relationship between saffron and measures of neuroprotection, together with the stress-inducible nature of many of the up-regulated genes and pathways, lend credence to the idea that saffron, like various other phytochemicals, is a hormetic stimulus, with functions beyond its strong antioxidant capacity. These findings provide impetus for a more comprehensive evaluation of saffron as a neuroprotective intervention.

[MarionP]

It's not going to make much difference unless you were a millionaire to be able to afford saffron to use it this way. So if you are made of money, good luck to you on that, otherwise most people it's not practical because of the cost.

On the other hand, the FDA has just approved, ignoring the questionable evidence, a drug for Alzheimer's and other progressive dementias that is expected to cost on average $56,000 per year and will double the entire budget of Medicare (actually displace all other Medicare, because the government isn't about to double Medicare's funding) if given to everybody with Alzheimer's (in the US at least) for, again, questionable if any benefit. So what do I know?

[Gioc in reply to MarionP]

In Italy It is also used for Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardt's disease.

osservatoriomalattierare.it...

mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/10/24...

[Bolt_Upright in reply to MarionP]

The supplements are not that expensive and the dose is less than 100 mg.

[MarionP]

How much then?

[Bolt_Upright in reply to MarionP]

$23 for 50 mg with 10% Crocins. 60 count, take twice a day: amazon.com/NOW-Supplements-...

[Ponieboy in reply to Bolt_Upright]

So think its worth a try ?? I have been really interested in neuroprotection and neurogenisis.. anything to protect what's still functioning.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Ponieboy]

I have a high school degree. I also try a lot of things. And I suffer from depression and Saffron may help with depression, so for me it was worth a try and I started yesterday.

[Ponieboy in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Its cheap enough... worth a try.. I am currently looking into repairing my diverticulitis issues as well as my gut biome. Also working on protecting my brain ... too many rabbit holes.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Ponieboy]

So have you heard of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? That is the one I follow. Based on this study: The Specific Carbohydrate Diet and Diet Modification as Induction Therapy for Pediatric Crohn’s Disease: A Randomized Diet Controlled Trial ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... and

Effect of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet on the Microbiome of a Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Ulcerative Colitis Patient ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

This is their web page. There is no cost unless you just want the book. All you need to know is on the page though: breakingtheviciouscycle.info/

[Ponieboy in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Gonna check it out! Thanks!!

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Ponieboy]

I should add (it is in my profile) that I have not been diagnosed with PD. I have been diagnosed with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, but my doctor has told me it will eventually be PD, MSA, or LBD. I am hoping he is wrong. I do have a sore left leg and sore left shoulder.

Following the SCD and intermittent fasting really improved my system, at least based on the fact that I am no longer bloated and my poop is really good now (after being really bad my whole life).

[kathy775]

I use saffron (Life Extension, 2 capsules a day) mainly for mood. Used to drink as a tea, but find the capsules are more reliable in dosing. Saffron can be as effective as Aricept or Prozac.

webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre....

hmpgloballearningnetwork.co....

Great reviews on reddit and webmd:

reddit.com/r/depressionregi...

webmd.com/vitamins-suppleme...

I also like that it's supposed to help reduce brain inflammation and can halt/reverse macular degeneration. I have significant dry eye, and it likely helps on that front too ... I take it mainly for mood ... it is supposed to increase dopamine in the brain (dyor).

But if taking saffron, would carefully check for interactions if on certain supplements or prescription drugs ... can lead to serotonin syndrome.

Best of luck.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to kathy775]

Thank you so much. I'm not sure about serotonin syndrome with Saffron. What I have read is you can take it with Prozac (unlike most mood enhancers). That WebMD page does not mention it. Thanks!

[kathy775]

Good point ... yes, saffron can be used as an adjunct to SRRIs, etc. I didn't mention it. Cheers!