Washington. Saffron, highly appreciated in the culinary field, can also play an important role in the medical field, particularly in the fight against cancer. A study coordinated by Professor Filippo Minutolo of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Pisa identified the mechanism by which an active metabolite present in saffron, crocetine, reduces the aggressiveness of cancer cells through action on a key-enzyme in tumoral glycolysis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The surprising results of this research were presented by Dr. Carlotta Granchi, first author of the article and speaker at the “First Congress on Edible, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants” (ICEMAP 2017), which took place in Pisa from June 28th to June 30th. The study was also published in the journal “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” of the American Chemical Society. (9colonne)
