Delving into the Latest Updates on Crocin with Synapse

Overview

Basic Info

Drug Type

Chemical drugs

Synonyms

alpha- Crocin

Target

LIPE

Mechanism

Hormone sensitive lipase inhibitors, Lipid peroxidation inhibitors

Therapeutic Areas

Skin and Musculoskeletal DiseasesInfectious DiseasesNervous System Diseases+ [2]

Active Indication-

Inactive Indication

Lipid Metabolism DisordersMalariaOsteoarthritis, Knee+ [1]

Originator Organization

Kyushu University

Active Organization-

Inactive Organization

Kyung Hee University

Kyushu University

Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

+ [1]

Drug Highest PhasePendingPhase 3

First Approval Date-

Regulation-

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Structure

Molecular FormulaC44H64O24

InChIKeySEBIKDIMAPSUBY-RTJKDTQDSA-N

CAS Registry42553-65-1

Combination therapy using inhibition of tumor cell escape and alteration of the tumor microenvironment offers a new strategy for cancer treatment. This study aimed to develop an extracellular vesicle (EV) carrier that regulates tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment to achieve efficient tumor immunotherapy. The ligand modified on carriers targets the immune checkpoint CD47 protein, blocking tumor cell escape. This ligand is cleaved by the MMP2 enzyme and assembles into nanofibers, extending the retention time in the tumor. The carriers target the CD206 protein, enabling efficient uptake by M2 macrophages. Carriers with a high density of ligands (anti-CD206) exhibit strong receptorligand interactions with tumor cells. Due to their high rigidity, these EVs have difficulty deforming during the transmembrane process, reducing resistance and resulting in low uptake efficiency by M2 cells. The optimal uptake efficiency by M2 macrophages is achieved when the mass ratio of ligand to EVs is 1:25. Crocin loaded in EVs facilitates the polarization of M2 macrophages into M1 cells, which can phagocytize tumor cells. This study reveals a potential strategy for using extracellular vesicles in tumor treatment.

01 Jan 2025·Journal of Ethnopharmacology

The suppressive effects of crocin from saffron on allergic airway inflammation through Drp1/Nfr1/Mfn2/Pgc1-alpha signaling pathway in mice

Article

Author: Soozangar, Narges ; Abbasi Moajani, Fatima ; Amani, Mojtaba ; Aslani, Mohammad Reza ; Salimnejad, Ramin ; Abbasi moajani, Fatima ; Jeddi, Farhad

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCESaffron is derived from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L., which was considered by ancient nations for food and medicinal purposes. In traditional medicine, the therapeutic use of Crocus sativus includes antispasmodic, antitussive and expectorant.AIM OF THE STUDYMitochondrial fusion, fission, biogenesis, and mitophagy are essential processes for maintaining mitochondrial dynamics in response to cellular stress. The primary objective of this research was to examine how crocin affected the levels of important mitochondrial regulators, including Drp1, Pgc1α, Nrf1, and Mfn2, in the lung tissue of ovalbumin-sensitized mice.MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of fifty male BALB/C mice were randomly assigned to five unique groups (n = 10 for each group), including the control group, ovalbumin-sensitized group (OVA), OVA group treated with 30 mg/kg of crocin, OVA group treated with 60 mg/kg of crocin, and OVA group treated with 1 mg/kg of dexamethasone. Post-sensitization and ovalbumin challenge, mice lung tissues were evaluated for the expression of Drp1, Pgc1α, Nrf1, and Mfn2 mRNA levels using real-time PCR as well as histopathological assessments.RESULTSIn the OVA group, there was a significant elevated in inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes; however, crocin (both concentrations) and dexamethasone intervention showed significant inhibitory effects (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001). Moreover, an increase in the expression of Drp1, Pgc1α, and Nrf1 levels was seen in the OVA group, while crocin and dexamethasone showed protective benefits (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Furthermore, the levels of Mfn2 were reduced in the lung tissue of mice exposed to ovalbumin, but this decrease was reversed by crocin 60 (P < 0.05) and dexamethasone treatment (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONIn mice with OVA sensitization, the balance of mitochondrial dynamics in lung tissue was disrupted, but intervention of crocin identified to have a protective effect.

01 Jan 2025·Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Saffron improves the efficacy of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer through the IL-17 signaling pathway

Article

Author: Feng, Siqi ; Li, Yun ; Liu, Xinhua ; Zhong, Yi ; Zhou, Zhangjie ; Wu, Zhonghua ; Wu, Tingting ; Zhong, Zhixian ; Chen, Jian ; Li, Shiying ; Fu, Shujuan ; Wang, Zhiying

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCESaffron is one of the traditional medicinal herbs, which contains various active ingredients, such as safranal, crocin, saffron acid, etc. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties, and is widely used in clinical practice. The anti-cancer efficacy of saffron has been previously confirmed, but its anti-cancer mechanism in colorectal cancer remains unclear.OBJECTIVEWe investigated the effect of active compounds of saffron on the efficacy of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.METHODSTCMSP and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS), GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases were used to identify the active compounds of saffron, drug targets and the disease targets of colorectal cancer. They were then subjected to Gene Ontology Enrichment (GO) and Signalling Pathway Enrichment (KEGG) analyses. The core targets and corresponding compounds were selected for molecular docking. The effect of active components of saffron on the proliferation of CT26 and HCT116 cells was investigated using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). In vitro experiments were conducted by subcutaneous injection of CT26 cells to establish a colon cancer model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting (WB), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and flow cytometry (FCM) were employed to validate the effects of saffron on colorectal cancer immunotherapy.RESULTS1. LC-MS analysis revealed that the main active component of saffron extract was crocin. The active chemicals of saffron intersected with 170 colorectal cancer targets, with 17 predicting targets for saffron treatment. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the active components of saffron can prevent colorectal cancer development by enhancing Th17 cell differentiation and the IL-17 signaling pathway. 2. In vitro studies revealed that saffron alcohol extract, crocin, and safranal can suppress the proliferation of CT26 and HCT116 cells. 3. In vivo studies showed that crocin and safranal can increase the body mass and decrease the tumor mass of loaded mice, decrease the serum level of IL-17, and lower the mRNA expression level of IL-17, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, and PD-L1 and IL-17, PD-L1 protein in tumors. This inhibitory effect was strengthened after combined immunotherapy. In addition, saffron modulated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺T ratio in mouse spleens.CONCLUSIONThe active components of saffron can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and ameliorate the immunological microenvironment of tumors via the IL-17 signaling pathway, thereby improving the efficacy of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer. This study provides pharmacological support for the application of saffron in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.

100 Deals associated with Crocin

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External Link

KEGG	Wiki	ATC	Drug Bank
-	Crocin	-	DB11874

R&D Status

10 top R&D records.

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Indication	Highest Phase	Country/Location	Organization	Date
Lipid Metabolism Disorders	Phase 3	-	Kyung Hee University	-
Stroke	Phase 3	-	Kyushu University	-
Lipid Metabolism Disorders	Preclinical	-	Seoul National University Alumni	-
Osteoarthritis, Knee	Discovery	IR	Mashhad University of Medical Sciences	20 Jul 2016
Lipid Metabolism Disorders	Discovery	-	Kyushu University	-
Malaria	Discovery	-	Kyushu University	-
Malaria	Discovery	-	Kyung Hee University	-
Malaria	Discovery	-	Seoul National University Alumni	-
Stroke	Discovery	-	Kyung Hee University	-
Stroke	Discovery	-	Seoul National University Alumni	-

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Clinical Result

Indication

Phase

Evaluation

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Study	Phase	Population	Analyzed Enrollment	Group	Results	Evaluation	Publication Date


IRCT20130418013058N7 (P-47, ESMO_GI2023)	Phase 2	Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Adjuvant	59	Crocin	(haqecwcouu) = xkdbyeioti vihnmtcybu (fdmiosjijp ) View more	Negative	01 Jul 2023
				Placebo	(haqecwcouu) = hfmnxhrtqd vihnmtcybu (fdmiosjijp ) View more
IRCT20160706028815N4 (ESMO2021)	Phase 2/3	Breast Cancer	-	Crocin	pxqasvlwkh(wfglsfibxb) = tseeoqyqgd vfgzluvfpl (oteaywygsz )	-	16 Sep 2021
				Placebo	pxqasvlwkh(wfglsfibxb) = aetjxjxmtg vfgzluvfpl (oteaywygsz )
WSC2015	Not Applicable	-	-	Crocin	codfzudtei(kvsrlxikpz) = shqqoerdab rbyswdenrb (bzgvihnabh ) View more	Positive	26 Feb 2015
				Crocetin	bycixnumdb(rwbdjxhbdc) = mstyrvjauq pyrsdjzhnt (njpugqhscz )