The efficacy of Saffron Repron® in counteracting the progression of retinitis pigmentosa: Neuroprotection and resilience

The mutations observed in the various forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) affect genes coding for rod-specific proteins and direct the progression of different forms of dystrophy toward total blindness. The present investigation aims to explore the protective effects of Saffron Repron®, in a mouse model of RP. Saffron was administered orally to pregnant females and weaned pups for 120 days. At different time points (P30, P60, P90, and P120), visual function, retinal function, cone lifespan, morphology, gene expression, and protein level were analyzed. The results indicate that chronic saffron treatment effectively slows the progression of long-term damage caused by genetic mutations in both the morphology and function of retinal neurons. Cellular mechanisms responsible for this action appear complex and, probably, due to coordinated and synergistic activities by its chemical components. Here we provide evidence that saffron is able to modulate the epigenetic pathway involved in neuroinflammation. Biochemical and molecular measures suggest that early saffron treatment may induce a form of adaptation known as acquired resilience.