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Saffron, derived from Crocus sativus, is gaining research attention for potential therapeutic applications. Its diverse clinical applications extend to cardiovascular health, diabetes management, sleep quality, psychiatric illnesses, and rheumatoid arthritis. Saffron’s positive effects on blood pressure, glucose levels, cognitive function, and inflammatory markers contribute to its versatility. Additionally, carotenoids like crocin and crocetin suggest anti-cancer potential. In terms of reproductive health, saffron’s impact on male reproductive health shows conflicting findings on semen parameters. However, in female reproductive health, saffron appears promising for managing dysmenorrhoea, reducing menstrual pain, regulating hormonal fluctuations, and improving overall menstrual health. Safety considerations highlight the importance of adhering to specified dosages, as excessive intake may lead to toxicity. Yet, within the therapeutic range, saffron is considered safe, relieving symptoms without serious side effects, according to clinical research. Future trials in 2023 will explore saffron’s potential in cancer therapy, diabetes management, mental health, stress response, cardiovascular health, postmenopausal women’s well-being, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This ongoing research underscores saffron’s adaptability and promise as a natural treatment across various medical applications, emphasizing its efficacy. The current review, therefore, aims to provide up-to-date insights on saffron’s role particularly in the realm of reproductive health, contributing to a growing body of evidence supporting its diverse therapeutic benefits.

Aortic valve stenosis is a disease characterized by thickening and narrowing of the aortic valve (AV), most commonly due to calcification, which leads to left ventricular outflow obstruction called calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). CAVD presents as a progressive clinical syndrome with cardiorespiratory symptoms, often with rapid deterioration. The modern-day pathophysiology of CAVD involves a complex interplay of genetic factors, chronic inflammation, lipid deposition, and valve calcification, with early CAVD stages resembling atherosclerosis. Various imaging modalities have been used to evaluate CAVD, with a recent trend of using advanced imaging to measure numerous AV parameters, such as peak jet velocity. Significant improvements in mortality have been achieved with transcatheter AV repair, but numerous therapeutics and modalities are being researched to delay the progression of CAVD. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of CAVD, explore recent developments, and provide insights into future treatments with various novel modalities.

Although many chronic inflammatory conditions are linked to elevated cardiovascular risk, the specific extent of this risk in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) remains elusive, largely due to the disease's rarity. Our study sought to clarify the cardiovascular risks and mortality linked to AAV. A systematic literature review was conducted across multiple databases from their inception until April 2024 to identify studies comparing cardiovascular outcomes in patients with and without AAV. R Studio's meta package was used to pool risk ratios under the random-effects model, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Nine observational studies involving 45024 individuals were included in this analysis. Patients with AAV exhibited a significantly elevated risk of stroke (RR = 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.12–1.83, I2 = 62 %, p = 0.0048), myocardial infarction (RR = 1.49, 95 % CI: 1.25–1.79, I² = 0 %, p < 0.0001), ischemic heart disease (RR = 1.40, 95 % CI: 1.24–1.58, I² = 1 %, p < 0.0001), venous thromboembolism (RR = 2.57, 95 % CI: 1.70–3.90, I² = 74 %, p < 0.0001), and pulmonary embolism (RR = 3.53, 95 % CI: 2.82–4.42, I² = 9 %, p < 0.0001), deep vein thrombosis (RR: 4.21; 95 % CI: 2.00–8.86; p = 0.0002), heart failure (RR = 1.63, 95 % CI: 1.39–1.90, I² = 0 %, p < 0.0001), and cardiovascular disease-related mortality (RR = 1.79, 95 % CI: 1.07–3.00, I2 = 0 %, p = 0.0256) compared to patients without AAV. This meta-analysis underscores a notable increase in adverse cardiovascular events among patients with AAV, underscoring the need for comprehensive cardiovascular care and diligent monitoring in this patient cohort.