In the ongoing quest to improve sleep quality, a natural product has caught the attention of experts and consumers alike: Affron^®. This saffron extract has stood out in recent studies for its potential positive effects on enhancing night-time rest. We’ll explore how affron could be the key to unlocking deeper and more restorative sleep nights.

In today’s frenzied society, obtaining quality sleep has become a coveted treasure. A survey conducted in the United States in 2022¹ showed that nearly 30% of respondents slept less than 5 hours per night and two-thirds found difficulty falling asleep again after waking up at night. Additionally, about 50% indicated that their sleep quality had worsened in the last two years, with concerns and feelings of stress being the main reason in over 70% of cases.

This is leading to an unprecedented growth in the U.S. sleep market. This dynamic sector clearly reflects the convergence of technology, wellness, and science. From innovative sleep tracking devices to natural supplements, the market is responding with creative solutions to the growing demand. In fact, this same survey reveals that more than 37% of people use botanical products to improve their sleep.

This trend has led companies such as Pharmactive Biotech Products to delve deeper into this market, and the company has developed affron, a natural saffron extract, and the perfect ally to promote an improvement in cognitive health and the sleep quality of people.

Affron is a saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) standardized to 3.5% by HPLC in Lepticrosalides^®, a set of bioactive compounds responsible for the beneficial and organoleptic properties of this extract. But what makes affron so special?

At the heart of affron is an unwavering dedication to obtaining the highest quality extract. This commitment begins with the careful selection of saffron, one of the most precious and expensive spices in the world. The raw material for affron comes exclusively from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L, grown under optimal conditions to ensure that its extraordinary active principles are preserved. Pharmactive ensures that only the highest quality stigmas are used in the extraction process. Additionally, the saffron flowers used to produce affron are grown in the appropriate environment for climate, soil, and tradition.

In addition to the meticulous selection of saffron, the production of affron undergoes a patented AFF^®ON Cool Tech extraction process. This procedure, which uses low-temperature water to perform the extraction without using any chemicals, preserves the active compounds of saffron, ensuring that each dose of affron contains the optimal concentration of Lepticrosalides^®, a concentration that the company can replicate batch to batch, thus ensuring that affron has its own fingerprint², that is, it has a unique composition that is responsible for its positive health effects.

Achieving this level of quality has been a daunting task in which Pharmactive has invested many resources in research and development, making affron the saffron extract with the most clinical studies, studies that endorse its positive properties on mental health and sleep quality. This provides a solid and reliable foundation for those who wish to use it as part of their cognitive health care and sleep strategy. Confidence in a supplement aimed at these therapeutic areas is essential, and the scientific backing of affron gives consumers peace of mind knowing that they are making an informed and evidence-backed decision.

For this purpose, studies with affron have been conducted in different population groups. For example, a study³ conducted in 2021 in premenopausal women associated the intake of 14mg of affron twice a day with a significant improvement in the psychological symptoms of menopause. In addition, in 2018, a study⁴ conducted in adolescents associated the intake of affron with significant improvement in generalized symptoms of internalization, occasional stress, social phobia, and low mood.


If we delve into the evidence that supports the positive properties of affron in sleep quality, several studies validate it as a natural alternative against sleeping difficulties, with the added advantage of not containing artificial melatonin in its composition.

In 2018, the results of a study⁵ conducted in Japan showed a significant reduction in the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) score only in the group treated with affron. Additionally, a significant effect of affron on daytime dysfunction was evidenced over 4 weeks in the group treated with this extract.

Another subsequent study⁶ demonstrated that taking affron was associated with significant improvements in the total ISI (Insomnia Severity Index), RSQ (Restorative Sleep Questionnaire) scores, and in the sleep quality ratings of the PSD (Pittsburgh Sleep Diary) compared to the placebo group.

On the other hand, the results of a third study⁷ carried out in 2021 indicated that supplementation with affron was associated with an improvement in restorative sleep indices, better mood ratings upon waking up, and the total score of the ISQ (Insomnia Symptom Questionnaire). In addition, supplementation with affron was associated with an increase in night-time melatonin concentrations.


These promising results have led Pharmactive to investigate the mechanism of action of affron, which has been defined in an in vivo study⁸ conducted in 2023. The results of this new study reveal that affron stimulates the endogenous production of melatonin, enabling the body to naturally generate this sleep-inducing hormone. By enhancing the synthesis of enzymes responsible for converting tryptophan into melatonin and inhibiting those that convert tryptophan into kynurenine, affron strengthens the body’s ability to regulate sleep without relying on external and artificial sources of this hormone.

Therefore, thanks to affron, we can achieve significant benefits from the increased endogenous production of melatonin:

• As melatonin production increases naturally, no side effects such as headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, etc., are observed.
• It also benefits population groups that do not metabolize melatonin correctly, such as older adults. Moreover, affron can be used in adolescents, making it an ideal aid for treating sleep disorders in this age group.
• The metabolism of affron is not affected by tobacco, medication, or whether it is taken with or without food, and both its bioavailability and absorption rate are very high.
• It is important to note that it is the unqiue composition of affron (its “fingerprint”) that allows it to achieve all its positive effects on sleep quality.

As we uncover the complex mechanisms underlying sleep regulation and the vital role of circadian rhythms, it becomes clear that prioritizing a healthy sleep routine is essential for overall well-being. Furthermore, affron’s unique ability to influence melatonin synthesis, as demonstrated, features its potential as a natural aid in the pursuit of quality sleep, making it the perfect alternative to the intake of artificial melatonin.

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About Pharmactive: Pharmactive Biotech Products is a leader in the research and development of high-performance natural ingredients for the health and wellness industry. With a constant commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability, Pharmactive is dedicated to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance people’s lives and promote a healthier and more sustainable future, as evidenced by its recent entry into the B Corp^® community.⁹

References

1. Consumer Survey FMCG Gurus. Stress & Sleep Management. Q3 2022 USA. Sample size: 1000.

2. Mena-García, A.; Herrero-Gutiérrez, D.; Sanz, M.L.; Díez-Municio, M.; Ruiz-Matute, A.I. Fingerprint of Characteristic Saffron Compounds as Novel Standardization of Commercial Crocus sativus Extracts. Foods 2023, 12, 1634. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12081634

3. Lopresti AL, et al. Journal of Menopausal Medicine. 2021;27:1-13

4. Lopresti AL, et al. J Affect Disord. 2018 May; 232:349-357

5. Nishide A, Fujita T, Nagaregawa Y, Shoyama Y, Ohnuki K, Shimizu K et al. Sleep enhancement by saffron extract in randomized control trial. Japanese Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2018; 46(8):1407-1415.

6. Lopresti A. et al J Clin Sleep Med, 2020 Feb 14

7. Lopresti AL, et al Sleep Medicine, 86. 2021:7-18

8. De la Fuente Muñoz, Mario et al. “Effects of Supplementation with the Standardized Extract of Saffron (affron) on the Kynurenine Pathway and Melatonin Synthesis in Rats.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 12,8 1619. 16 Aug. 2023,

9. https://pharmactive.eu/pharmactive-biotech-products-joins-the-b-corp-community/