Affron ® is a proprietary form of highly purified, sustainable saffron. Extracted using high yield low energy technology manufacturers are able to standardize not only the amount of bioactive compounds safranal and crocin, picocrocin, but also lepticrosalides. Leptocrosalides are not standardised in many saffron preparations and have tremendous therapeutic potential due to interactions with neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. This saffron extract has been used in eight clinical studies showing benefits in reducing mood changes during menopause, in postpartum sadness, and in adolescents. Further it has been investigated in improving sleep quality, cardiovascular function and premenstrual symptoms. Manufacturers were also able to demonstrate superior absorption and bioavailability over other saffron extracts in pharmacokinetic studies
