Saffron News and Research

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Saffron is an East Indian plant that is a member of the ginger family and is used as a spice and food color. The underground stems are used in some cultures to treat certain stomach problems. The substance in Indian saffron that gives it a yellow color (curcumin) is being studied in the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer disease, cystic fibrosis, and psoriasis. The scientific name is Curcuma longa. Also called jiang huang and turmeric.

Saffron promotes apoptosis and inhibits growth of cancerous cells

New research suggests that saffron provides a significant chemopreventive effect against liver cancer in animal models. When saffron was administered to rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer an inhibition of cell proliferation and stimulation of apoptosis was observed. Full findings appear in the September issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

22 Aug 2011

IMD, BioFocus enter marketing collaboration to offer enhanced natural product discovery

BioFocus, an integrated drug discovery service partner, and InterMed Discovery GmbH (IMD), a natural product lead-discovery company, today announced a marketing collaboration to offer enhanced natural product discovery to the pharmaceutical, animal health, and agrochemical industries. No financial details were disclosed.

19 Jul 2011

Panax ginseng, saffron and yohimbine can boost human sexual function

Looking to spice up your sex life? Try adding ginseng and saffron to your diet. Both are proven performance boosters, according to a new scientific review of natural aphrodisiacs conducted by University of Guelph researchers.

28 Mar 2011

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals acquires manufacturing, intellectual property rights from Haemacure

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company, today announced the closing of its acquisition of certain product candidates and technology assets of Haemacure Corporation. Haemacure has been involved in proceedings under Canada's Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

8 Apr 2010

18th EJAF Academy Awards Viewing Party raises $3.7M for fight against AIDS

Sir Elton John and David Furnish hosted the 18th Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards® Viewing Party and raised $3.7 Million for the fight against AIDS. Presented by Chopard, Jo and Raffy Manoukian and Neuro Drinks, the EJAF Viewing Party continues to be the leading fundraiser on Oscar night in Hollywood.

8 Mar 2010

Dr. Chao Herbal Drink Line releases two all-natural, vegan beverages

The Dr. Chao Herbal Drink Line released two all-natural, vegan beverages to enhance sexual health and combat premenstrual symptoms. The new Adult and Lady drinks have no sugar, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, glutens, and caffeine, do not require costly prescriptions and have health benefits derived from the recipes of a 19th-century Chinese herbalist.

30 Oct 2009

Galapagos announces BioFocus DPI's drug discovery collaboration with SPRI

Galapagos NV announces today that its service division, BioFocus DPI, has initiated a drug discovery collaboration with Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI).

24 Sep 2009

Colchicine approved for acute gout, Mediterranean fever

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Colcrys to treat acute flairs in patients with gout, a recurrent and painful form of arthritis, and patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), an inherited inflammatory disorder. The medication's active ingredient is colchicine, a complex compound derived from the dried seeds of a plant known as the autumn crocus or meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale).

30 Jul 2009

Saffron could stop blindness and cure eye disease

Italian scientists say they have found that saffron may hold the key to stopping vision loss as people age and in treating some eye diseases.

17 May 2009

Galapagos acquires structure-based drug discovery from Sareum

Galapagos NV and Sareum Holdings plc has announced today that Galapagos has acquired Sareum's assets in drug discovery services, for a total cash consideration of EUR 695,000 (£553,000). These assets will position Galapagos' service division BioFocus DPI strongly in the growing field of structure-based drug discovery.

26 Aug 2008

Origins of modern medicine lie in ancient Egypt not Greece

Scientists examining documents dating back 3,500 years say they have found proof that the origins of modern medicine lie in ancient Egypt and not with Hippocrates and the Greeks.

From The University of Manchester 10 May 2007

Researchers to investigate links between asthma and genes

Professor Bill Cookson and Dr Miriam Moffatt, formerly at the University of Oxford, have joined Imperial's National Heart and Lung Institute to further develop the genetic research there, particularly focusing on how genes influence the development of asthma.

14 Mar 2006