Saffron for "toning down" COVID-19-related cytokine storm: Hype or hope? A mini-review of current evidence.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To assess the potential role of saffron in downregulating inflammation and cytokine storm during COVID-19.

Main findings

Three main compounds of saffron, i.e., crocetin esters, picrocrocin, and safranal, present strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action for several disease states (e.g., Alzheimer's, cancer, and depression) but have also been studied in COVID-19. In particular, based on our comprehensive review of both in vitro and in silico studies, saffron's essential oils and other constituents appear to have both immunomodulatory and anti-asthmatic actions; these actions can be particularly helpful to treat patients with respiratory symptoms due to COVID-19. Moreover, crocin appears to reduce the COVID-19-related cytokine cascade and downregulate a

SUBMITTER: Mentis AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8294713 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature