TEHRAN, Aug. 26 (MNA) Iranian researchers of Tarbiat Modarres University of Medical Sciences have conducted a study indicating that saffron can heal cancerous tumors.They studied saffron crocin and crocetin effects on healing breast cancer.
Saffron which is used as a flavor and herb in Iran in different occasions, is now used for cancer treatment as well.
An Iranian biochemical expert said crocin and crocetin in saffron are antitumor and anticancer.
Mahshid Azizian pointed to the increasing number of breast cancer among women and said that one of the main reasons for breast cancer is estrogen which can be healed by croin and crocetin existing in saffron.
Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal.Crocin is a natural carotenoid ingredient primarily responsible for the color of saffron. Crocin has been shown to be a potent neuronal antioxidant. It has also been shown to have an antiproliferative action against cancer cells.
Crocetin is a natural carotenoid dicarboxylic acid that is found in saffron. The chemical structure of crocetin forms the central core of crocin, the compound responsible for the color of saffron.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world and accounts for approximately 8 million deaths per year worldwide.
It is estimated that 10,000 Iranian women suffer breast cancer per year and studies show that women with breast cancer are a hundred times more than men while this type of cancer in men is a hundred times more deadly.
Fruits and vegetables can prevent the disease which can be fatal if not recognized on time.
Saffron, botanical name crocus sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world. Derived from the dried stigmas of the purple saffron crocus, it takes anything from 70,000 to 250,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron. Moreover, the flowers have to be individually hand-picked in the autumn when fully open. Fortunately, only a little needs to be added to a dish to lend it colour and aroma.
Now most of world saffron is imported from Iran which isrecognised as the best qualified saffron producer.Iran now accounts for approximately 90% of the world production of saffron followed by Spain, Egypt, Kashmir, Morocco and Turkey.
By Mehr News Agency
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