Saffron against chronic inflammatory bowel diseases – healing practice

Saffron reduces inflammation in ulcerative colitis

The treatment options chronic inflammatory bowel disease how Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are very limited so far. New approaches to alleviate intestinal diseases are therefore urgently needed. saffron could possibly make a contribution here, according to a recent study.

A research team from Iran University of Medical Sciences has in a recent study the effect of saffron in people with the chronic inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis examined. The study results were published in the “Journal of Herbal Medicine” released.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

ulcerative colitis is a disease of the large intestine and is characterized by chronic inflammation, which can occur in spurts. Bloody-slimy diarrhea is a typical symptom during flare-ups.

Furthermore, you can also Fever and tachycardia occur as part of a relapse and some sufferers also suffer from crampy ones stomach pain. The research team reports that the bodies of those affected show increased inflammatory parameters and increased oxidative stress.

Effect of saffron studied

Because saffron a anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect is said to have shown the researchers in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study the effect of Saffron Tablets on the serum concentration of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers and on the quality of life in people with ulcerative colitis.

The 80 participants with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis were randomly assigned to a saffron or placebo group. The intervention group received 100 milligrams of saffron per day and the placebo group received 100 milligrams of maltodextrin per day for eight weeks.

Significant improvements noted

A total of 75 participants completed the study, and after eight weeks of supplementation, there was a significant increase in the saffron group compared to the placebo group decline the serum level certain markers of inflammation (TNF-α and hs-CRP) and a significant one Increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10) detectable.

At the so-called blood sedimentation reaction no significant difference was observed between the intervention and the placebo group, and the differences between the groups were also not statistically significant when the inflammatory bowel disease was assessed using a questionnaire, reports the research team.

Nevertheless, in the saffron group, an improvement in the blood sedimentation reaction and the questionnaire values ​​could be determined.

Saffron tablets for therapy?

The results of the study suggest that taking saffron with medication for eight weeks can reduce the levels of some inflammatory cytokines in ulcerative colitis significantly decrease can, the researchers sum up. (fp)