Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a flowering plant in the iris family used in various domains for its taste, aroma, pigment, and medicinal properties. Saffron, sometimes called “red gold”, is the most expensive spice in the world and is produced predominantly in Iran. The most prized part of the saffron plant is the dried red stigmas, which contain over 150 bioactive compounds including carotenoids (crocin, crocetin), terpenes (picrocrocin, safranol), and many other phytochemicals.
Saffron contains many active compounds, but crocin, crocetin, safranol, and picrocrocin are considered to be the most important. Following consumption, some of these compounds are transformed within the gastrointestinal tract, and the main compound found in the blood seems to be crocetin.
Preclinical research suggests that saffron can influence the brain in a variety of ways, which likely explains its effects on mood and cognition. Saffron may prevent the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters — like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine — which allows their effects to persist for longer. Saffron may also interact with the HPA axis, leading to reduced levels of cortisol, and might influence neuroplasticity by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
As an antioxidant, saffron may increase the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), leading to increased levels of antioxidant enzymes and an overall improved antioxidant capacity. In animal studies, saffron has reduced oxidative stress in brain tissue.
Early research suggests that saffron may benefit sleep in various populations (including those with insomnia). The most consistent benefits seem to be sleep quality and sleep duration.
In addition to its effects on mood, sleep and overall brain function Saffron does have positive effects on sexual health. Saffron has been used traditionally as an aphrodisiac, and preliminary clinical research seems to support this use. Self-reported improvements in sexual function have been observed in a variety of contexts. For men with erectile dysfunction, antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, or hypoactive sexual desire disorder, saffron may increase erections and overall satisfaction with intercourse. In women with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, saffron was reported to increase vaginal lubrication and arousal and to reduce pain with intercourse.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 50 men with diabetes and erectile dysfunction used a topical gel containing 1% saffron or placebo half an hour before sexual intercourse for one month. There was a greater effect of saffron on overall erectile function on the International Index Of Erectile Function Questionnaire, including sexual desire, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.
Supplementation of 30mg saffron extract daily for four weeks in men treated with SSRIs who experienced erectile dysfunction as a result of treatment, noted an improvement in erectile scores relative to placebo at two and four weeks of treatment (the latter being more significant than the former)
In a meta-analysis of 3 RCTs, saffron reduced self-reported symptoms of erectile dysfunction according to an erectile function questionnaire. Subgroup analyses based on questionnaire subscales showed improvements in the domains of erectile function, orgasmic function, overall satisfaction, and satisfaction with intercourse.
Thanks to its unique composition and mechanism of action of its active ingredients Saffron is a powerful ally of men’s health. For this very reason it is included as one of the main ingredients in FireRx Reloaded, our men’s health dietary supplement. In addition to Saffron FireRx Reloaded contains Maca, Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha, Asian Ginseng, Pine Bark Extract, Honey, Royal Jelly, Lycopene, Resveratrol, Vitamin D, magnesium, Zinc, Boron and Chromium to stimulate testosterone, improve endurance and stamina, promote muscle growth, cardiovascular and prostate health in addition to antiaging, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
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References:
Sadat Rafiei SK, Abolghasemi S, Frashidi M, Ebrahimi S, Gharei F, Razmkhah Z, Tavousi N, Mahmoudvand B, Faani M, Karimi N, Abdi A, Soleimanzadeh M, Ahmadpour Youshanlui M, Sadatmadani SF, Alikhani R, Pishkari Y, Deravi NSaffron and Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutr Metab Insights.(2023)
Cerdá-Bernad D, Costa L, Serra AT, Bronze MR, Valero-Cases E, Pérez-Llamas F, Candela ME, Arnao MB, Barberán FT, Villalba RG, García-Conesa MT, Frutos MJ Saffron against Neuro-Cognitive Disorders: An Overview of Its Main Bioactive Compounds, Their Metabolic Fate and Potential Mechanisms of Neurological Protection.Nutrients.(2022 Dec 17)
Blood Pressure – Mostafa Asadollahi, Parisa Nikdokht, Boshra Hatef, Seyed Shahabeddin Sadr, Hedayat Sahraei, Farhad Assarzadegan, Gila Pirzad Jahromi Protective properties of the aqueous extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in ischemic stroke, randomized clinical trialJ Ethnopharmacol.(2019 Jun 28)
Creatinine – Kianbakht S, Ghazavi A Immunomodulatory effects of saffron: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trialPhytother Res.(2011 Dec)
Seyedi-Sahebari S, Farhang S, Araj-Khodaei M, Akhondzadeh S, Naseri A, Sanaie S, Frounchi NThe Effects of (Saffron) on ADHD: A Systematic Review.J Atten Disord.(2024-Jan)
Lactate Dehydrogenase – Ghanbari-Niaki A, et alEffect of Crocus Sativus Linnaeus (saffron) supplementations combined with circuit resistance training on total creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB levels in young untrained menScience & Sports.
Visual acuity (VA) – Dario Marangoni, Benedetto Falsini, Marco Piccardi, Lucia Ambrosio, Angelo Maria Minnella, Maria Cristina Savastano, Silvia Bisti, Rita Maccarone, Antonello Fadda, Enrica Mello, Paola Concolino, Ettore Capoluongo Functional effect of Saffron supplementation and risk genotypes in early age-related macular degeneration: a preliminary reportJ Transl Med.(2013 Sep 25)
Visual acuity (VA) – Geoffrey K Broadhead, John R Grigg, Peter McCluskey, Thomas Hong, Timothy E Schlub, Andrew A ChangSaffron therapy for the treatment of mild/moderate age-related macular degeneration: a randomised clinical trialGraefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol.(2019 Jan)
Maleki-Saghooni N, Mirzaeii K, Hosseinzadeh H, Sadeghi R, Irani MA systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on saffron (Crocus sativus) effectiveness and safety on erectile dysfunction and semen parameters.Avicenna J Phytomed.(2018 May-Jun)
Ranjbar H, Ashrafizaveh AEffects of saffron (Crocus sativus) on sexual dysfunction among men and women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Avicenna J Phytomed.(2019 Sep-Oct)
Concerto C, Rodolico A, Meo V, Chiappetta D, Bonelli M, Mineo L, Saitta G, Stuto S, Signorelli MS, Petralia A, Lanza G, Aguglia EA Systematic Review on the Effect of Nutraceuticals on Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunctions: From Basic Principles to Clinical Applications.Curr Issues Mol Biol.(2022-Jul-25)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25948674/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29881706/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22552758/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29881706/
