Neuroprotective effects of saffron on the late cerebral ischemia injury through inhibiting astrogliosis and glial scar formation in rats.

•Saffron improved the neurological deficit, behavioral cognitive deterioration in late ischemic injury.•Saffron decreased the infarct volume and increased the survival neuron density in cortex.•The neuroprotective effects of saffron was mediated through inhibiting astrogliosis and glial scar formation.