Phytotherapy

Safran (Crocus sativus)

Crocus sativus L. · Saffron · Croci stigma · Echter Safran

Mechanism

Die Narben enthalten die wasserlöslichen Apokarotinoide Crocin und Crocetin, das Monoterpenaldehyd Safranal und das Bitterglykosid Picrocrocin. Präklinisch wirken Crocine als MAO-A/-B-Hemmer, Safranal als Antioxidans und Radikalfänger; kontrollierte Humanstudien deuten auf stimmungsaufhellende Effekte (J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2018; pharmakologische Übersichtsarbeit 2022). Antioxidative, neuroprotektive und kardioprotektive Aktivitäten sind vielfach beschrieben. Beim Pferd fehlen kontrollierte Studien; hohe Dosen sind human toxisch. Einordnung: Ergänzungsfuttermittel, kostspieliges Gewürz mit stimmungs- und antioxidativer Tradition.

Cautions

· Hohe Dosen human toxisch (>5 g Droge; sehr hohe Mengen potenziell abortiv/letal) - Sicherheitsabstand
· NICHT bei tragenden Stuten (in Hochdosis traditionell emmenagog/uteruswirksam, abortiv beschrieben)
· Mögliche Interaktion mit Antidepressiva/Sedativa
· Kostenfaktor und Verfälschungsrisiko der Droge

Sources

PMID 30568374Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): As an Antidepressant, J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2018

PMC8860555The Pharmacological Activities of Crocus sativus L.: A Review Based on Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

PMC9860663Current Knowledge of the Antidepressant Activity of Chemical Compounds from Crocus sativus L.

Equiterna Score

75/100

high overall

Science7.7/10

Practical experience8/10

Safety6.6/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

DosageKeine equinen Studien. Human ca. 30 mg standardisierter Extrakt/Tag; ein equiner Richtwert ist nicht etabliert (deutlicher Kostenfaktor).

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyWith caution

Evidencemoderate

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

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Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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