Saffron ameliorated motor symptoms, short life span and retinal degeneration in Parkinson’s disease fly models

•Saffron and crocetin suppressed the decrease of climbing ability in the fly PD model.•Saffron and crocetin extended the life span in the fly PD model.•Saffron suppressed the rough-eyed phenotype inthe fly PD model.•Saffron attenuated α-synuclein-induced cytotoxicity on a human neuronal cell line.•Saffron and crocetin can be useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.