Saffron and Age-related Macular Degeneration: Could be a New Therapeutic Candidate?

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a neurodegenerative ocular disorder, based on oxidative stress and chronic inflammation pathogenesis. Saffron's major components, crocin and crocetin, as derivatives of carotenoids, are potential antioxidants with antiapoptotic characteristics.Material and methods: The search strategy was based on a focused literature review. Databases used to find the most relevant articles included Google Scholar and PubMed. Search keywords used in various forms included: “saffron”, “crocin”, “crocetin”, “safranal”, “Age-related macular degeneration”. Articles published in the last decade or relevant publications were selected for this review article.Results: Saffron supplementation improved visual function in individuals with AMD, including those using AREDS supplements. Given the chronic nature of AMD, longer-term supplementation may be more beneficial. Saffron's biological properties, together with preclinical evidence, provide a strong rationale for testing the effect of saffron supplementation in early AMD.Conclusion: The present data indicate that saffron supplementation may induce a short-term, significant improvement in retinal function in early AMD. Although such results must be further replicated and the clinical significance is yet to be evaluated, they provide important clues that nutritional carotenoids may impact AMD in novel and unexpected ways, possibly beyond their antioxidant properties

Keywords:

saffron , crocin , crocetin , safranal , Age-related macular degeneration.