Healing Diabetic Wounds with Saffron Petals: Lab and Real-Life Studies

Jenn Hoskins
22nd August, 2024

Healing Diabetic Wounds with Saffron Petals: Lab and Real-Life Studies

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Tehran, Iran, found that saffron petal extract helps wounds heal faster in diabetic conditions
  • Saffron petal extract boosts cell survival, movement, and new blood vessel formation, which are crucial for wound healing
  • Tests on diabetic mice showed that the extract improved skin healing by increasing blood vessels, fibroblasts, and collagen
Chronic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), pose a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide due to their prolonged healing times, high treatment costs, and potential for severe complications such as infections and amputations[2][3][4]. Recent research conducted by the ACECR, Yara Institute, Tehran, Iran, explores the potential of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) petal extract as a novel treatment for improving wound healing in diabetic conditions[1]. The study aimed to investigate the biological effects of saffron petal extract on cell survival, migration, and angiogenesis, key processes in wound healing. Researchers utilized various in vitro assays, including MTT, scratch, and tube formation assays, to evaluate the effects of the extract on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Additionally, gene expression studies focused on collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both crucial for collagen deposition, epithelialization, and angiogenesis. The effects of the extract were also tested on the skin of diabetic mice to assess its potential in a living organism. The findings revealed that saffron petal extract significantly promoted the viability and migration of HDFs and HUVECs. Enhanced formation of tube-like structures by HUVECs on Matrigel basement membrane matrix indicated the extract's potential to stimulate angiogenesis. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of COL1A1 and VEGF, suggesting increased collagen synthesis and new blood vessel formation. Histological analysis of diabetic mice skin treated with the extract demonstrated improved vascularity, increased fibroblast numbers, and enhanced collagen synthesis, leading to faster wound closure compared to control treatments. These results align with previous studies highlighting the importance of angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and reduced inflammation in effective wound healing[2][3]. Chronic wounds, including DFUs, often exhibit delayed proliferative phase initiation, reduced angiogenesis, impaired extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and persistent inflammation, which hinder the healing process[4]. The saffron petal extract appears to address these issues by promoting key cellular activities and molecular pathways essential for wound repair. Phytomedicines, including saffron, offer several advantages such as availability, ease of application, and high effectiveness in wound management. The study's findings suggest that saffron petal extract could be a valuable addition to the current arsenal of treatments for diabetic wounds, potentially improving outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. In conclusion, the research conducted by the ACECR, Yara Institute, Tehran, Iran, provides promising evidence that saffron petal extract can enhance wound healing in diabetic conditions by promoting cell viability, migration, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. These findings may pave the way for the development of new, effective treatments for chronic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the diabetic wound healing properties of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) petals.

Published 21st August, 2024

Journal: Scientific reports

Issue: Vol 14, Issue 1, Aug 2024

Related Studies

2) Wound dressings incorporating microRNAs: Innovative therapy for diabetic wound treatment.

Journal: Iranian journal of basic medical sciences, Issue: Vol 25, Issue 9, Sep 2022

3) Cellular and Molecular Events of Wound Healing and the Potential of Silver Based Nanoformulations as Wound Healing Agents.

https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9110712

4) Wound Chronicity, Impaired Immunity and Infection in Diabetic Patients.

https://doi.org/10.37757/MR2021.V23.N3.8


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