PubMed · 2026-04-24
A review of scientific evidence finds that saffron, the spice derived from Crocus sativus flowers, contains compounds that may help manage autism spectrum disorder symptoms by calming brain inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and balancing neurotransmitters — suggesting it could work as a complementary therapy alongside conventional treatments.
Saffron's four main active compounds — crocins, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal — collectively target multiple biological pathways implicated in autism, including the NF-κB/NLRP3 neuroinflammation pathway and the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant response pathway.
The literature review covered studies up to May 2025 across PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct, finding evidence that saffron can restore balance between the brain's two main signaling systems (GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission), which are known to be disrupted in autism.
Saffron's neuroprotective effects extend beyond autism to related conditions including anxiety, sleep disorders, cognitive impairments, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, making it a broad-spectrum candidate for neurological support.
