Saffron may prevent loss of eyesight

The study conducted by Professor Silvia Bisti and colleagues at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science, University of L'Aquila, Italy found that saffron possesses a number of properties that protect the vision cells called photoreceptors from damage caused by aging.

Benefits of saffron uncovered by the research
The trial by the researchers on patients suffering from AMD in Rome indicated that saffron-enriched dietary supplements may treat or cure injured eye cells.

Professor Bisti said, “Saffron is not simply an anti-oxidant. It seems to possess a number of other properties which are protective to vision.”

Professor Bisti stated that the wonder herb appears to influence "genes which regulate the fatty acid content of the cell membrane and this makes the vision cells tougher and more resilient. And, the point about saffron is that it is completely safe and harmless. It's been used in cooking and medicine for three thousand years.”

Another aspect highlighted by a successful experiment on mice demonstrated that saffron protected the eye from damage when exposed to bright light. The researchers are sure that these benefits will apply to the human eye as well.

In order to assess the effects of saffron on AMD, the leading cause of blindness worldwide, the researchers conducted a third line of research. They found that saffron may be effective against genetic diseases of the eye, such as retinitis pigmentosa. Here, too, the research on animals offered the prospect of slowing down the progression of sight loss.

Another beneficial effect of saffron was discovered in people suffering from AMD, which causes partial or total loss of sight. Researchers found that intake of the rich spice led to signs of cell recovery and a reversal of the adverse effects in AMD patients.

According to the investigators, the clinical evidence has not been extensive and they may need a more detailed analysis in order to verify these findings.

“We are excited by these early findings. We will know more when all the results are in later this year,” Bisti said.

Professor Bisti and her team are now working to isolate the active ingredients in saffron that possess the vision-protective properties with the aim of developing therapies based on them.

About saffron
Saffron is a spice found mainly in Southwest Asia and is extracted from the flower of the saffron crocus. This herb is being used for centuries for cooking and medicinal purposes.

It has a long history in traditional healing, for the treatment of a variety of ailments such as menstrual pain, menopausal problems, depression and chronic diarrhoea.