From Stigma to Therapy: Pharmacological Insights into Saffron Bioactives for Major Non-Communicable Diseases

Crocus sativus L. (saffron), a sterile geophyte of the Iridaceae family, has been traditionally used in culinary and medicinal practices and is currently gaining attention as a source of pharmacologically active metabolites. The main bioactive compounds (BACs) of saffron, crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal, are associated with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and antidiabetic properties, among others. This review aims to comprehensively and critically summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence for saffron-derived BACs in the context of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases. A literature search of the main scientific databases was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles on neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus, with additional topics on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, safety, and toxicity. The mechanistic findings include anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and neuroprotective effects, mediated by activation of the Nrf2 pathway and inhibition of NF-κB. Eligibility criteria were applied, excluding publications focused primarily on food, cosmetics, or technological applications, to prioritize mechanistic and therapeutic endpoints. The findings suggest that BACs from saffron extracts have promising disease-modifying properties and symptom-relieving actions, especially in the case of neurologic disorders, mild cognitive impairment, and some models of metabolic and oncological diseases. Nevertheless, the current variability in study design, dosage, standardization of plant extracts, and sample size limits a conclusive clinical application. More carefully designed studies with a representative number of cases and well-defined plant preparations are needed to validate efficacy, establish structure-activity relationships, and define the prevention and therapeutic potential of saffron in evidence-based pharmacotherapy.