Protective Effect of Saffron in Mouse Colitis Models Through Immune Modulation

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients face risks for colorectal cancer and treatment challenges.
• Existing IBD therapies can be ineffective or cause adverse events.
• Saffron (Crocus sativus) possesses anti-inflammatory properties, but its role in IBD is under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of saffron in experimental colitis models.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying saffron's protective actions in colitis.

Main Methods:

• Colitis was induced in mice using DSS and TNBS models.
• Mice were treated with varying doses of saffron or vehicle.
• Inflammation markers, immune cell populations, and key protein expressions (HO-1, GPX2, Nrf-2) were analyzed.
• The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was investigated using knockout mice.

Main Results:

• Saffron at 20 mg/kg improved colon histology and reduced disease activity.
• Saffron modulated macrophage polarization (M1 to M2) and increased regulatory immune cells.
• Treatment enhanced Nrf-2 pathway activation, indicated by increased HO-1/GPX2 and Nrf-2 nuclear translocation.
• Saffron's protective effects were partly mediated through AhR/Nrf-2 pathways.

Conclusions:

• Saffron demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for colitis.
• Its protective role involves modulating immune responses and activating AhR/Nrf-2 pathways.
• Saffron represents a promising natural compound for IBD management.