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Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie 2012; 33(6): 263-271
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1309284
Forschung
Safran
© Haug Verlag in MVS Medizinverlage Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KG

Crocus sativus L. ist nicht nur ein Gewürz – Die neuroprotektive Wirkung eines Safranextraktes

Frauke Berger
1   Apotheke nova eventis, Am Einkaufszentrum, 06254 Günthersdorf
2   Universität Leipzig, Institut für Pharmazie, Pharmakologie für Naturwissenschaftler, Talstr. 33, 04103 Leipzig
,
Andreas Hensel
3   Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Phytochemie, Hittorfstr. 56, 48149 Münster
,
Karen Nieber
2   Universität Leipzig, Institut für Pharmazie, Pharmakologie für Naturwissenschaftler, Talstr. 33, 04103 Leipzig
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 January 2013 (online)

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Zusammenfassung

Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen spielen in der immer älter werdenden Bevölkerung eine große gesundheitspolitische und ökonomische Rolle. Deshalb wird intensiv nach neuen protektiven Wirkstoffen gegenüber Erkrankungen gesucht, deren Ursache ein neuronaler Zelluntergang ist. Die bisherigen Strategien zur Neuroprotektion z. B. bei Alzheimer-Patienten oder nach einem Hirninfarkt zeigten in klinischen Studien keine Erfolge. Pflanzenextrakte, wie etwa der wässrig-ethanolische Safranextrakt CSE, bieten hier aussichtsreiche neue Therapiealternativen. Das therapeutische Potenzial von Crocus sativus L. wurde in zahlreichen In-vitro- und In-vivo-Studien und in orientierenden klinischen Prüfungen am Menschen untersucht. Safran und einige seiner Inhaltsstoffe zeigten in Tiermodellen neuroprotektive Wirkungen. Die zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen sind bisher nicht vollständig geklärt. Wir untersuchten die Wirkung des Safranextraktes CSE und des Metaboliten trans-Crocetin auf die Neurotransmission im Cortex der Ratte und konnten zeigen, dass beide die synaptische Zell-Zell-Signalübertragung hemmen. Als Mechanismus wurde eine antagonistische Wirkung an NMDA-Rezeptoren nachgewiesen. CSE besaß im Gegensatz zu trans-Crocetin zusätzlich einen antagonistischen Effekt an Kainat-Rezeptoren. AMPA-Rezeptoren wurden hingegen nicht beeinflusst.

Da die Aktivierung der glutamatergen Rezeptoren wesentlich am Zelluntergang bei neurodegenerativen Erkrankungen beteiligt ist, könnte ein Safranextrakt ein wertvolles Multi-Target-Therapeutikum für die neuroprotektive Therapie werden.

Summary

Crocus sativus L. is not just a spiee: Neuroprotective effect of saffron extract

The proportion of elderly in the general population is rising, resulting in greater numbers of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Unfortunately, eures and effective treatments for these devastating diseases are lacking, causing great suffering for patients and family members. It is therefore necessary to carry out an intensive search for new protective remedies. The current neuroprotection strategies, including those for Alzheimer or cerebral infaretion patients, have notshown any clinical successes. However, new promising therapy alternatives are offered by plant extracts such as aqueous ethanolic extract of saffron (CSE).

The therapeutic potential of Crocus sativus L. has been proven. Thus far, saffron and some of its ingredients have exhibited neuroprotective efficaey based on in-vivo modeis. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanism have until now not been fully clarified. We carried outtests on the efficaey of saffron extract CSE and the metabolite trans-crocetin on neurotransmission in the rat prefrontal cortex. The study revealed that the two substances led to the inhibition of synaptic cell-cell Signal transmission. The mode of action was identified as an antagonistic effect on NMDA receptors. Contrasted to trans-crocetin, CSE had an antagonistic effect on the kainate receptors. AMPA receptors were on the other hand not influenced.

In conciusion, the activation of giutamatergic receptors is significantiy invoived in cell death in neurodegenerative diseases, making the saffron extract as an antagonist on these receptors a possible multi-target remedy in neuroprotective therapy.

Schlüsselwörter

Neuroprotektion - Crocus sativus L. - Safran - ionotrope Glutamatrezeptoren

Key words

Neuroprotection - Crocus sativus L. - ionotropic glutamate receptors
 

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