ABSTRACT Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder that afflicts people older than 55 years. Current therapy presents considerable weaknesses including low efficacy and significant adverse effects. Therefore, there is pressing requisite to develop new compounds with higher efficacy and safety. The dried stigma of the plant Crocus sativus L., (Cs) (saffron) is widely utilized in traditional medicine for various purposes. It has been shown that saffron and its bioactive constituents crocins and safranal offer benefits in different pathologies of the central nervous system including anxiety, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia and memory problems. Their role as potential agents for the treatment of PD is currently under investigation. The aim of the present review is to critically evaluate advances in research of these molecules for the treatment of PD, discuss their potential advantages over used treatments as well remaining challenges. Up to date, only a few preclinical studies have been performed to this end. Nonetheless, data produced are encouraging and strongly corroborate that supplementary research is mandatory aiming to definitively establish a role for saffron and its bioactive components in the treatment of PD.
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