Safflowers Flowers
Also known as: Safflower, Safflower flowers, HSYA, Hydroxysafflor yellow A, Carthamus tinctorius
Overview
Safflower flowers, derived from the plant *Carthamus tinctorius*, are a botanical supplement traditionally used in herbal medicine. These flowers are rich in bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids and pigments like hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA). Research indicates their primary applications in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, attributed to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are also explored for their potential in managing conditions such as ischemic stroke, depression, anxiety, and liver fibrosis. While the research on safflower flowers is moderately mature, with a growing body of preclinical and clinical studies, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, particularly from Chinese medicine contexts, the quality of evidence varies. Some clinical applications are supported by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, but further rigorous, large-scale human trials are needed to fully establish efficacy and safety.
Benefits
Safflower flowers offer several evidence-based benefits, primarily driven by their active compound HSYA. They provide significant cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, as demonstrated in animal models of ischemic stroke and spinal cord injury. This protection is linked to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, improved antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, GSH), and inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways. HSYA also exhibits strong antioxidant effects by enhancing intracellular antioxidant defenses, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation (MDA), which contributes to tissue protection in models of traumatic brain injury and polycystic ovary syndrome. Furthermore, HSYA shows neuroprotective effects, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier under injury conditions. A systematic review suggests that safflower flower extracts possess anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam, with survey data indicating improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms in humans. Safflower, often in combination with other herbs, also shows promise in treating liver fibrosis and coronary heart disease, though these applications are largely based on traditional medicine formulations.
How it works
Safflower flowers exert their therapeutic effects primarily through their flavonoid content, especially hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA). HSYA modulates oxidative stress by regulating the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio, Akt/PTEN signaling, and NF-κB activation, which collectively leads to reduced apoptosis and inflammation. It significantly increases the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while also balancing glutathione redox status (GSH/GSSG) and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. HSYA's mechanism involves affecting multiple organs, including the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, and brain, particularly under conditions of injury. Its metabolism involves phase I and II biotransformations within the body.
Side effects
Overall, safflower flower extracts and hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) appear to be generally safe in animal and clinical studies, with no major adverse effects consistently reported in the reviewed literature. However, specific side effects and drug interactions are not extensively documented in high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials. Caution is advised, particularly for individuals with bleeding disorders or those currently taking anticoagulant medications, due to the potential for flavonoid-rich herbs to affect blood circulation. While not definitively established for safflower flowers, many compounds that influence blood flow can theoretically increase the risk of bleeding. More rigorous and comprehensive safety data from large-scale human trials are needed to fully characterize the safety profile, potential adverse reactions, and drug interactions of safflower flower supplements. Individuals should consult a healthcare professional before use, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions or are on other medications.
Dosage
Clinical dosing of safflower flowers varies considerably depending on the specific preparation and intended therapeutic use. In China, intravenous safflower yellow injection is utilized for cardiovascular diseases, but such applications require strict clinical supervision due to the need for precise dosing and administration. Oral bioavailability of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is known to be limited, meaning that oral administration may result in lower systemic levels compared to intravenous routes, which achieve higher systemic concentrations and better organ distribution. Currently, there are no internationally standardized dosing guidelines established for safflower flower supplements due to the wide variability in formulations (e.g., crude extracts, purified HSYA, oral capsules, injections) and the diverse clinical indications for which they are explored. Therefore, any use of safflower flower products should ideally be guided by a healthcare professional, especially given the lack of clear upper limits or safety thresholds for general supplementation.
FAQs
Is safflower flower effective for anxiety?
Yes, systematic reviews suggest that safflower flower extracts may have anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam, indicating potential for anxiety relief. However, more rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Can safflower flower cross the blood-brain barrier?
Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a key compound in safflower, does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier under healthy conditions. However, it can enter the brain during injury states, where it exerts neuroprotective effects.
Is it safe to use safflower flower supplements?
Safflower flower extracts are generally considered safe at studied doses in animal and some human trials. However, comprehensive safety data from large-scale human studies are still limited, especially regarding long-term use and potential drug interactions.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12364913/ – This preclinical study on rats with spinal cord injury found that HSYA reduced oxidative stress markers, apoptosis, and inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. It provides high-quality preclinical evidence for HSYA's protective effects in neurological injury.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1374680/full – This systematic review analyzed human clinical trials and found that safflower extracts exhibited anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam. Despite heterogeneity in study designs and sample sizes, it supports the clinical potential of safflower for anxiety.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9252638/ – This meta-analysis of RCTs, primarily in rats, investigated HSYA's distribution and metabolism, noting its presence in multiple organs and neuroprotective effects in traumatic brain injury. It provides mechanistic insights, though human RCTs are limited.
- https://www.cureus.com/articles/86471-the-use-of-safflower-carthamus-tinctorius-in-treating-depression-and-anxiety – This article discusses the use of safflower in treating depression and anxiety, supporting its traditional and emerging roles in mental health. It highlights the potential anxiolytic and antidepressant properties of *Carthamus tinctorius*.