Safranal is a novel, orally active monoterpene aldehyde and the main active component of saffron. Safranal has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Safranal can be used in the study of Parkinson's disease and chronic inflammation[1-4].
In vitro, Safranal (300–700μM) and VEGF (30ng/ml) were used to treat human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) for 8–24 hours. Safranal significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, while reducing the expression of angiogenesis-related factors (such as VEGF and HIF-1α) and downstream signaling proteins[5]. Safranal (10–1000μM) was applied to treat human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) for 24 hours. Safranal significantly inhibited cell viability and reduced cell survival rates[6].
In vivo, Safranal (100 or 200mg/kg; once daily) was administered via oral gavage to membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat models for 4 weeks. Safranal significantly reduced renal injury, inflammation, and podocyte damage in MGN rats, and improved renal function[7]. Safranal (200 or 500mg/kg; once daily) was given by gavage to ovalbumin (OVA)-induced Balb/c mouse asthma models for 7 days. Safranal significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell mucus secretion in lung tissues, decreased the number of mast cells in lung tissues, and regulated Th1/Th2 cytokine levels to alleviate asthma symptoms. One hour before antigen injection, Safranal (200 or 500mg/kg; single dose) was administered via oral gavage to passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA) Balb/c mouse models. Safranal significantly reduced the levels of histamine and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in the serum of PSA mice, thereby inhibiting allergic reactions[8].
References:
[1] Esmaealzadeh D, Moodi Ghalibaf A, Shariati Rad M, et al. Pharmacological effects of Safranal: An updated review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2023;26(10):1131-1143.
[2] Fazeli E, Ghalibaf MHE, Forouzanfar F. Neuroprotective Potency of Safranal Against Neurological Disorders. Curr Mol Med. 2023;23(9):952-959.
[3] Sheng SR, Wu YH, Dai ZH, et al. Safranal inhibits estrogen-deficiency osteoporosis by targeting Sirt1 to interfere with NF-κB acetylation. Phytomedicine. 2023 Jun;114:154739.
[4] Gupta M, Wani A, Ahsan AU, et al. Safranal inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation by preventing ASC oligomerization. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2021 Jul 15;423:115582.
[5] Abdalla A, Murali C, Amin A. Safranal Inhibits Angiogenesis via Targeting HIF-1α/VEGF Machinery: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Insights. Front Oncol. 2022 Feb 2;11:789172.
[6] Abdalla Y, Abdalla A, Hamza AA, et al. Safranal Prevents Liver Cancer Through Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Alleviating Inflammation. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Feb 1;12:777500.
[7] Bao Y, Ge YM, Wang Z, et al. Safranal Ameliorates Renal Damage, Inflammation, and Podocyte Injury in Membranous Nephropathy via SIRT/NF-κB Signalling. Curr Med Sci. 2025 Apr;45(2):288-300.
[8] Lertnimitphun P, Zhang W, Fu W, et al. Safranal Alleviated OVA-Induced Asthma Model and Inhibits Mast Cell Activation. Front Immunol. 2021 May 20;12:585595.