Abstract

The immune system when acts against selfmolecules results in an imbalance in immunologic tolerance leading to the development of several autoimmune diseases (ADs) such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Improved recognition of the mechanisms of ADs has led to the advancement of the management of these diseases. The principal mediators of ADs are inflammatory molecules. The herbal medicines due to their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties have an important role in the management of ADs. Crocin is the principal chemical component extracted from saffron, which is a medicinal plant. This review focuses on the therapeutic effects of Crocin in various ADs.

Highlights

  • The immune system consists of cellular and soluble protein components that protect our body against various infections and cancers by identifying and neutralizing infectious agents or cancer cells

  • One of the main activities by Crocin is a change in the expression of genes related in the redox system of cells such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)

  • It has been reported that saffron can modulate NF-κB and MAPK pathways and can control the expression of genes encoding the inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α), adhesion molecules (e. g., ICAM, VCAM, E-selectin), inducible enzymes, chemokines and many of the acute phase proteins, all of which play key roles in regulating inflammatory processes in the immune system [62]

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Summary

Introduction

The immune system consists of cellular and soluble protein components that protect our body against various infections and cancers by identifying and neutralizing infectious agents or cancer cells. In addition to changes in gene expression levels, interactions with cellular enzymes including SOD proteins or peroxidase have been reported to induce the anti-oxidant activity of Crocin [10, 13, 28, 59]. Another mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of Crocin is the alteration of the stress marker genes in the reticuloendothelial cell (ER) system. Changes in the epigenetics and changes in telomerase activity by Crocin are indicative of the ability of Crocin to change at the molecular level of cells and induce anti-oxidant effects of Crocin [60, 61]

Conclusion
ICR Mice Sprague Dawley rats

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