The Effect of Safranal on Th1/Th2 Cytokine Balance

Several biological and medical benefits of Saffron, Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), have been demonstrated. However, mechanisms of actions for purified constituents are greatly unknown.
To examine the effects of Safranal, a main constituent of Saffron stigma, on cell viability and cytokine profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined.
Effects of Safranal at 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM concentrations were evaluated on cell viability and production of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-10 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) from non-stimulated and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated PBMCs, compared to 0.1 mM dexamethasone and saline.
In stimulated cells, different concentrations of Safranal caused significant decrease of lymphocytes viability (p The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio increases in the presence of Safranal which indicates an effect on Th1/Th2 balance. Therefore, Safranal may have therapeutic effects in inflammatory diseases associated with Th1/Th2 imbalance.