زعفران (.Crocus sativus L) و ترکیبات فعال آن در پیشگیری و کنترل سرطان: خلاصه سیاستی

Policy Abstract:

Cancer remains one of the most enduring and complex challenges confronting health systems in the twenty-first century. The steadily rising incidence of malignancies, increasing life expectancy, the epidemiological transition toward non-communicable diseases, and the growing prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors have collectively amplified the overall burden of cancer worldwide. In Iran, cancer ranks as the second leading cause of mortality after cardiovascular diseases, and its direct medical costs, productivity losses, and long-term care expenditures impose mounting pressure on the national healthcare system. Despite substantial therapeutic progress in chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, significant obstacles persist. Treatment-related toxicities, the development of drug resistance, escalating healthcare expenditures, and dependence on imported pharmaceuticals continue to challenge sustainability and equitable access to care. These realities underscore the need to explore complementary, evidence-based strategies that may enhance treatment outcomes while mitigating economic and systemic strain.Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a strategic and indigenous agricultural product of Iran, contains several bioactive compounds—most notably crocin, crocetin, and safranal—that have demonstrated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in experimental and animal models. Accumulating preclinical evidence suggests that these compounds can modulate key molecular pathways implicated in carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and oxidative stress. However, the limited availability of large-scale, standardized clinical trials remains a major barrier to integrating saffron-derived compounds into formal clinical practice guidelines.This policy brief aims to support evidence-informed decision-making at the level of the Ministry of Health by providing a comprehensive analysis of current scientific findings, identifying existing policy and translational gaps, and proposing strategic actions to strengthen research capacity, regulatory frameworks, and the responsible scientific utilization of saffron’s therapeutic potential within Iran’s health system.