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effects of the active constituents of crocus sativus l., crocins on recognition and spatial rats' memory.crocus sativus l. is a plant cultivated in various parts of the world. its involvement in learning and memory processes has been proposed. crocins are water-soluble carotenoids and are among the active components of c. sativus l. the present study was designed to investigate in the rat the effects of crocins on recognition and spatial memory. for this aim, the object recognition task which evaluates non-spatial working memory and a novel version of the radial water maze which assesses spatial re ...200717628713
effect of safranal, a constituent of crocus sativus (saffron), on methyl methanesulfonate (mms)-induced dna damage in mouse organs: an alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay.the influence of safranal, a constituent of crocus sativus l. stigmas, on methyl methanesulfonate (mms)-induced dna damage was examined using alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (scge), or comet, assay in multiple organs of mice (liver, lung, kidney, and spleen). nmri mice were divided into five groups, each of which contained five mice. the animals in different groups were received the following chemicals: physiological saline (10 ml/kg, ip), safranal (363.75 mg/kg, ip), mms (120 mg/kg, ip ...200717854266
crocin from crocus sativus possesses significant anti-proliferation effects on human colorectal cancer cells.to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of crocus sativus extract and its major constituent, crocin, on three colorectal cancer cell lines (hct-116, sw-480, and ht-29). the cell growth inhibition effect was compared to that of non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc) cells. in addition, crocus sativus' effect on non-cancer cells was evaluated.200718004240
protective effect of safranal on pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in the rat: involvement of gabaergic and opioids systems.the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of safranal, an active constituent of crocus sativus l. stigmas, on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol. intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) microinjection of safranal (4.84, 9.68 and 24.2 micromol) had no effects on tonic and clonic phases as well as mortality upon seizures induced by ptz (90mg/kg body wt., i.p.). peripheral administration of safranal (72.75, 145.5 and 291 mg/kg body wt., i.p.), however, induced a dose-dependent decrease i ...200716707256
heterotopic expression of b-class floral homeotic genes pistillata/globosa supports a modified model for crocus (crocus sativus l.) flower formation.for uncovering and understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling flower development in cultivated crocus sativus and particularly the transformation of sepals in outer whorl (whorl 1) tepals, we have cloned and characterized the expression of a family of five pistillata/globosa-like (pi/glo-like) mads-box genes expressed in the c. sativus flower. the deduced amino acid sequences of the coded proteins indicated high homology with members of the mads-box family of transcription factors, and p ...200717364823
comparison of petal of crocus sativus l. and fluoxetine in the treatment of depressed outpatients: a pilot double-blind randomized trial.depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric conditions, with a lifetime prevalence approaching 17%. although a variety of pharmaceutical agents is available for the treatment of depression, psychiatrists find that many patients cannot tolerate the side effects, do not respond adequately, or finally lose their response. on the other hand, many herbs with psychotropic effects have far fewer side effects. they can provide an alternative treatment or be used to enhance the effect of conven ...200717174460
effects of different concentrations of 2,4-d and bap on somatic embryogenesis induction in saffron (crocus sativus l.).to optimize an in vitro protocol for propagation of saffron through somatic embryogenesis, effects of various concentrations of 2,4-d ( 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg l(-1)) in combination with bap (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg l(-1)) were studied. surface-sterilized corms were cut transversally into equal portions and the upper or lower parts were used separately as explants. all treatments were maintained in the darkness at 24 +/- 2 degrees c. after 70 days, the first globular embryos were o ...200719090256
specific igg antibodies (total and subclasses) against saffron pollen: a study of their correlation with specific ige and immediate skin reactions.saffron (zaaferan), botanical name crocus sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world. it is derived from the dried stigma and pistil of the purple saffron crocus flowers. iran is the largest saffron producer accounting for more than 80% of the world's production. saffron contains an aeroallergen that causes reactive respiratory allergic reactions in atopic subjects. igg antibody to allergens in the serum of allergic patients is not routinely measured. in this study in order to find out mo ...200718094441
kinetics properties of guaiacol peroxidase activity in crocus sativus l. corm during rooting.guaiacol peroxidases (gp) are haem-containing enzymes participating in many physiological processes in plants. the expression pattern of these enzymes is organ-specific and developmentally regulated.200718051773
an est database from saffron stigmas.saffron (crocus sativus l., iridaceae) flowers have been used as a spice and medicinal plant ever since the greek-minoan civilization. the edible part - the stigmas - are commonly considered the most expensive spice in the world and are the site of a peculiar secondary metabolism, responsible for the characteristic color and flavor of saffron.200717925031
saffron in phytotherapy: pharmacology and clinical uses.saffron (stigmata of crocus sativus l.) has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia. throughout history, uses against cancer and depressive mood can regularly be identified. these applications have also been in the focus of modern research. promising and selective anti-cancer effects have been observed in vitro and in vivo, but not yet in clinical trials. antidepressant effects were found in vivo and in clinical pilot studies. saffron extracts thus have the potential to make a major contr ...200717704979
cloning, structural characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of flower mads-box genes from crocus (crocus sativus l.).crocus (crocus sativus l.) is a crop species cultivated for its flowers and, more specifically, for its red stigmas. the flower of crocus is bisexual and sterile, since crocus is a triploid species. its perianth consists of six petaloid tepals: three tepals in whorl 1 (outer tepals) and three tepals in whorl 2 (inner tepals). the androecium consists of three distinct stamens and the gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil with three carpels, a single three-branched style, and an inferior ...200717619787
[molecular identity of crocus sativus and its misused substitutes by its sequence].to find the patterns of the rdna its sequence variation of crocus sativus, chrysanthemum chanetii, nelumbo nucifera, zea mays and garthamus tinctorius and to establish the molecular biological method for the identification of c. sativus and the others.200717608214
herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: a systematic review.this paper reports a critical review of 27 herbal medicines and formulas in treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders (in addition to anxiety and depression), including obsessive-compulsive, seasonal affective, bipolar depressive, psychotic, phobic and somatoform disorders. ovid medline, pubmed and the cochrane library were searched for pharmacological and clinical evidence of herbal medicines with psychotropic activity. a forward search of later citations was also conducted. whilst substa ...200717562566
interaction of trna with safranal, crocetin, and dimethylcrocetin.saffron is the red dried stigmas of crocus sativus l. flowers and used both as a spice and as a drug in traditional therapeutic. the biological activity of saffron in modern medicine is in development. its numerous applications as an anti-oxidant and anti-cancer agent are due to its secondary metabolites and their derivatives (safranal, crocins, crocetin, dimethylcrocetin). the aim of this study was to examine the interaction of transfer rna with safranal, crocetin, and dimethylcrocetin in aqueo ...200717508775
effects of different hormonal treatments on the callus production and plantlet regeneration in saffron (crocus sativus l.).saffron (crocus sativus l.) is one of valuable and native plants in the land of iran. by this investigation the best hormonal compositions for callus production from protoplast and for plantlet regeneration from callus were determined. to isolate protoplasts, the embryogenic calli were used. the embryogenic calli were immersed in enzymatic solution to degrade the cell walls. the treated mixture was filtered and then centrifuged at 100 g for 3-5 min and the resulted pellet was rinsed. after one s ...200719086508
effect of ionic detergents, nonionic detergents, and chaotropic agents on polyphenol oxidase activity from dormant saffron (crocus sativus l.) corms.polyphenol oxidase (ppo; ec 1.14.18.1) catalyzes the hydroxylation of monophenols to o-diphenols (cresolase activity) and the oxidation of o-diphenols to o-quinones (catecholase activity), leading to browning in plants and produce. further interest in the enzyme has been triggered by the active role that it plays in plant defense systems. ppo can be found in latent forms and is activated in vitro by various agents including urea, detergents, and proteases. the activation of ppo from several sour ...200717407318
interaction of safranal and picrocrocin with ctdna and their preferential mechanisms of binding to gc- and at-rich oligonucleotides.saffron (crocus sativus l.) shows different biological properties, some of which relate to its special components including safranal (deglycosylated picrocrocin). in our previous study on the mechanism of saffron functions, interaction of saffron carotenoids with dna and oligonucleotides was reported. the present study aimed to investigate the interaction of safranal with calf thymus dna (ctdna), oligo(gc)15, and oligo(at)15 in comparison with picrocrocin. circular dichroism (cd) and fluorometri ...200819040376
safety evaluation of saffron (crocus sativus) tablets in healthy volunteers.saffron (crocus sativus) stigma tablets were evaluated for short-term safety and tolerability in healthy adult volunteers. the study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled design consisting of a 1 week treatment of saffron tablets. volunteers were divided into 3 groups of 10 each (5 males and 5 females). group i received placebo; groups 2 and 3 received 200 and 400mg saffron tablets, respectively, for 7 days. general measures of health were recorded during the study such as hematological, bioche ...200818693099
effect of centrifugal ultrafiltration on the composition of aqueous extracts of saffron spice (crocus sativus l.).the purpose of this research was to study the effect of centrifugal ultrafiltration (uf) on the composition of aqueous extracts of saffron spice. the contents of seven crocetin esters, picrocrocin, and two kaempferol glycosides were analyzed by uv-vis and hplc in the filtrate and retentate fractions from 16 centrifugal filter devices with regenerated cellulose (rc) and polyethersulfone (pes) membranes ranging from 1-100 kda nominal molecular weight cutoff (mwco). the separation of crocetin ester ...200818620411
quality and functionality of saffron: quality control, species assortment and affinity of extract and isolated saffron compounds to nmda and sigma1 (sigma-1) receptors.extracts from saffron, the dried stigmata from crocus sativus l., are being used more and more in preclinical and clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and depression. because of the known quality problems of saffron, hplc methods on rp(18) 2.5 microm and monolithic rp(18) material have been developed and validated for quality control including the quantification of crocins 1 to 5, crocetin, picrocrocin and the degradation products, the cis-crocins. additionally, a gc-ms method has allowed ...200818496783
rapid determination of crocetin esters and picrocrocin from saffron spice (crocus sativus l.) using uv-visible spectrophotometry for quality control.the aim of this work was the development of multivariate models able to determine the content of the main crocetin esters and picrocrocin from spectrophotometric data that could be used for routine quality control of saffron. these compounds were determined with hplc in spanish saffron, and their absorbance spectra from 190 to 700 nm were simultaneously monitored. partial least-squares regression (plsr) models have been obtained and applied to the determination of individual crocetin esters, to ...200818407652
lc-dad-ms (esi+) analysis and antioxidant capacity of crocus sativus petal extracts.in this study, various fractions isolated from the petals of crocus sativus were assessed at first for their phenolic content both qualitatively and quantitatively and secondly for their antioxidant activity. the phytochemical analysis was carried out by lc-dad-ms (esi (+)) whereas the antioxidant potential was evaluated by applying two methodologies, the dpph. radical scavenging activity test and the co(ii)-induced luminol chemiluminescence procedure. according to data obtained from these antio ...200818401844
t and b-cell epitopes prediction of iranian saffron (crocus sativus) profilin by bioinformatics tools.plant profilins form a well-known panallergen family responsible for cross-sensitization between plant foods and pollens. we sought to map t and b-cell epitopes on the iranian crocus sativus profilin by bioinformatics tools. the predicted peptides are useful for further vaccine development.200818336358
crocus sativus l. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial.the aim of this double-blind and placebo-controlled trial was to investigate whether saffron (stigma of crocus sativus l.) could relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (pms).200818271889
kinetics of individual crocetin ester degradation in aqueous extracts of saffron (crocus sativus l.) upon thermal treatment in the dark.kinetics of individual crocetin ester degradation in aqueous extracts of saffron upon thermal treatment in the dark has been studied. special attention has been paid to the comparison between saffron extracts and aqueous solutions of a crocetin ester rich fraction, with a lower stability of the latter observed. the degradation reaction was the same for all crocetin esters whether they were in saffron extracts or whether they were purified, although it was affected by external factors that modifi ...200818237133
effect of saffron on semen parameters of infertile men.we conducted this study to determine the effects of saffron (crocus sativus) on the results of semen analysis in men with idiopathic infertility.200819101900
effect of aqueous-ethanol extract from crocus sativus (saffron) on guinea-pig isolated heart.in this study, the effects of an aqueous-ethanol extract from crocus sativus on heart rate and contractility were examined. isolated guinea-pig hearts were perfused through the aorta in a langendorff mode. heart rate and contractility were determined in the presence of four concentrations of the extract (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 mg%) and diltiazem (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 microm) in perfused heart with: (1) ordinary krebs solution (group 1, n = 9), (2) calcium-free krebs solution (group 2, n = 7). in gr ...200818058985
effects of crocus sativus on the fetal development of nmri mice. 200818246251
saffron supplement maintains morphology and function after exposure to damaging light in mammalian retina.to test whether the saffron extract (crocus sativus l.) given as a dietary supplement counteracts the effects of continuous light exposure in the albino rat retina.200818326756
traditional medicinal plants of cold desert ladakh-used against kidney and urinary disorders.traditional medicine of clod desert ladakh has large potential to treat various ailments among tribal communities inhabited in the remotest region of indian subcontinent. this study was conducted to document the new ethno-medico-botanical information and traditional use of medicinal plants against kidney and urinary disorders, and thus to conserve the rapidly disappearing traditional knowledge system of amchis of ladakh.200818550306
hormone and microorganism treatments in the cultivation of saffron (crocus sativus l.) plants.the difficult cultivation of the saffron plant (crocus sativus l.) make the spice of the same name made from its dried stigmas very valuable. it is estimated that some 75,000 blossoms or 225,000 hand-picked stigmas are required to make a single pound of saffron, which explains why it is the world's most expensive spice. the aim of this study was to identify ways of increasing the fertility and production of saffron. for this purpose, the treatment of saffron bulbs with a synthetic growth hormone ...200818560333
cytosolic and plastoglobule-targeted carotenoid dioxygenases from crocus sativus are both involved in beta-ionone release.saffron, the processed stigma of crocus sativus, is characterized by the presence of several apocarotenoids that contribute to the color, flavor, and aroma of the spice. however, little is known about the synthesis of aroma compounds during the development of the c. sativus stigma. the developing stigma is nearly odorless, but before and at anthesis, the aromatic compound beta-ionone becomes the principal norisoprenoid volatile in the stigma. in this study, four carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase ( ...200818611853
bacillus subtilis fzb24 affects flower quantity and quality of saffron (crocus sativus).the effect of bacillus subtilis fzb24 on saffron ( crocus sativus l.) was studied using saffron corms from spain and the powdered form of b. subtilis fzb24(r). corms were soaked in water or in b. subtilis fzb24 spore solution for 15 min before sowing. some corms were further soil drenched with the spore solution 6, 10 or 14 weeks after sowing. growth and saffron stigma chemical composition were measured. compared to untreated controls, application of b. subtilis fzb24 significantly increased lea ...200818622904
effects of the active constituents of crocus sativus l., crocins, in an animal model of anxiety.crocus sativus l. is a plant cultivated in various parts of the world. crocins are among the active components of crocus sativus l. the present study was designed to investigate in the rat whether or not crocins possess anxiolytic properties. for this aim, the light/dark test was selected. either crocins, at a dose which did not influence animals' motor activity (50mg/kg), or diazepam (1.5 mg/kg), significantly increased the latency to enter the dark compartment and prolonged the time spent in t ...200818693098
stimulatory effect of crocus sativus (saffron) on beta2-adrenoceptors of guinea pig tracheal chains.to study the mechanism(s) of the relaxant effects of crocus sativus (iridaceae), the stimulatory effect of aqueous-ethanolic extracts of this plant and one of its constituent, safranal was examined on beta-adrenoceptors in tracheal chains of guinea pigs. the beta(2)-adrenergic stimulatory was tested by performing the cumulative concentration-response curves of isoprenaline-induced relaxation of pre-contracted isolated guinea pig tracheal chains. the studied solutions were included two concentrat ...200818771905
protective effect of crocus sativus stigma extract and crocin (trans-crocin 4) on methyl methanesulfonate-induced dna damage in mice organs.this study was designed to examine the effect of aqueous extract of crocus sativus stigmas (cse) and crocin (trans-crocin 4) on methyl methanesulfonate (mms)-induced dna damage in multiple mice organs using the comet assay. adult male nmri mice in different groups were treated with either physiological saline (10 ml/kg, intraperitoneal [ip]), cse (80 mg/kg, ip), crocin (400 mg/kg, ip), mms (120 mg/kg, ip), and cse (5, 20, and 80 mg/kg, ip) 45 min prior to mms administration or crocin (50, 200, a ...200818788978
study of cytotoxic and apoptogenic properties of saffron extract in human cancer cell lines.saffron (dried stigmas of crocus sativus l.) has been used as a spice, food colorant and medicinal plant for millennia. in this study cytotoxic effect of saffron extract was evaluated in hepg2 and hela cell lines. meanwhile role of apoptosis and ros were explored. malignant and non-malignant cells (l929) were cultured in dmem medium and incubated with different concentrations of ethanolic saffron extract. cell viability was quantitated by mtt assay. apoptotic cells were determined using pi stain ...200818790714
production and characterization of monoclonal antibody against saffron pollen profilin, cro s 2.allergy to saffron (crocus sativus) pollen has been described in people involved in processing of saffron flower stamens. profilins have been identified as a pan-allergen in different plant pollens and foods. this molecule is an actin-binding protein with a molecular weight of 12-16 kda found in eukaryotic species.200818791282
antiabsence effects of safranal in acute experimental seizure models: eeg and autoradiography.we examined the effect of safranal, a constituent of crocus sativus, in acute experimental animal models of generalized absence seizures.200818801302
effect of safranal on extracellular hippocampal levels of glutamate and aspartate during kainic acid treatment in anesthetized rats.in this study, the effect of safranal, a constituent of crocus sativus l., pretreatment on concomitant changes in the extracellular hippocampal levels of eaa (glutamate and aspartate) following systemic administration of ka was investigated in anesthetized rats. safranal (72.75 mg/kg or 291 mg/kg, i. p.) was injected 40 min before ka (15 mg/kg, i. p.). a group of rats also received dzp (15 mg/kg, i. p.) 20 min prior to ka administration. the basal hippocampal concentrations of glutamate and aspa ...200818816431
the effect of saffron, crocus sativus stigma, extract and its constituents, safranal and crocin on sexual behaviors in normal male rats.in this study, the aphrodisiac activities of crocus sativus stigma aqueous extract and its constituents, safranal and crocin, were evaluated in male rats. the aqueous extract (80, 160 and 320mg/kg body wt.), crocin (100, 200 and 400mg/kg body wt.), safranal (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4ml/kg), sildenafil (60mg/kg body wt., as a positive control) and saline were administered intraperitoneally to male rats. mounting frequency (mf), intromission frequency (if), erection frequency (ef), mount latency (ml), intr ...200817962007
the effect of saffron (crocus sativus) extract for healing of second-degree burn wounds in rats.the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pollen of saffron extract cream in the treatment of thermal induced burn wounds and to compare its results with silver sulfadiazine (ssd) in rats. animals were divided into four groups and administrated a topical cream including control, base, saffron (20%) or ssd (1%) at 24 hour after a burn injury that was induced by hot water. in special days, according to a pre-planned schedule, animal's weight, wound size, as well as skin histo-pathology ...200819110531
anxiolytic and hypnotic effect of crocus sativus aqueous extract and its constituents, crocin and safranal, in mice.saffron stigma (crocus sativus l.) is used for insomnia and anxiety in traditional medicine. in this study, the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of saffron aqueous extract and its constituents, crocin and safranal, were studied in mice. agents were administered intraperitoneally in mice before the experiments for the evaluation of hypnotic activity (induced by sodium pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg, i.p.), anxiolytic activity (elevated plus maze test), locomotor activity (open field test) and motor coord ...200919142981
isolation of a new fungi and wound-induced chitinase class in corms of crocus sativus.in plants, various chitinases have been identified and categorized into several groups based on the analysis of their sequences and domains. we have isolated safchia, a novel class of chitinase from saffron (crocus sativus l.). the cdna encoding safchia is mainly expressed in roots and corms, and its expression is induced by elicitor treatment, methyl jasmonate, wounding, and by the fungi fusarium oxysporum, beauveria and phoma sp., suggesting a defence role of the protein. furthermore, in vitro ...200919246207
further examination of antiradical properties of crocus sativus stigmas extract rich in crocins.data for antiradical properties of saffron extract and its bioactive constituents (crocins, crocetin) are limited and poorly discussed in comparison with those of extracts containing potent scavengers. further examination was sought using the folin-ciocalteu (f-c) reagent and various free radical species produced in cell-free or cell model systems. oregano and turmeric methanol extracts, rich in well established scavengers, and also crocetin, rosmarinic acid, and curcumin, representing the major ...200919284715
cloning and expression of the allergen cro s 2 profilin from saffron (crocus sativus).profilin is a panallergen that is recognized by ige in allergic patients. allergy to saffron (crocus sativus) pollen has been described in people exposed to its pollen. saffron contains a profilin that may cause allergic reactions in atopic subjects. the aim of this study was to describe the cloning, expression and purification of saffron profilin from pollen.200919628979
effect of ethanol extract of saffron (crocus sativus l.) on the inhibition of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in c57bl/6 mice.in this study, effect of ethanol extract of saffron (crocus sativus l.) in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (eae) in c57bl/6 mice was evaluated. eae was induced by immunization of 8 week old mice with mog(35-55) with complete freunds adjuvant. therapy with saffron was started on day the immunization. total antioxidant capacity (tac) was assessed by ferric reducing-antioxidant power (frap) method. nitric oxide (no) production was also estimated by griess reaction. for hi ...200919634472
crocus sativus l. (saffron) extract and its active constituents (crocin and safranal) on ischemia-reperfusion in rat skeletal muscle.saffron and its constituents have been shown to decrease ischemia-reperfusion (i/r) injury in kidney or brain tissues. in this study, the effects of saffron ethanolic extract and its constituents, crocin and safranal, were evaluated in skeletal muscle during i/r injury. hind limb ischemia was induced using clamping the common femoral artery and vein. after 2 h ischemia, the clamp of the femoral vessels of animals was taken off and the animal underwent 1h reperfusion. muscle injuries were evaluat ...200918955256
preventive effect of crocin in inflamed animals and in lps-challenged raw 264.7 cells.gardenia jasminoides ellis and crocus sativus l. are both traditional chinese medicines that have significant biologic activities on inflammatory processes. but the active ingredients remain unclear. crocin, a representative of carotenoid compounds, has now drawn considerable attention not only because it is a natural food colorant but also because it has great potential in medicine. but until now, the systematic anti-inflammatory effect of crocin has not been well established. in the present st ...200919754168
crocin from kashmiri saffron (crocus sativus) induces in vitro and in vivo xenograft growth inhibition of dalton's lymphoma (dla) in mice.in this study we investigated in vitro and in vivo xenograft growth inhibition by crocin isolated from kashmiri saffron (crocus sativus). it was found that crocin decreased cell viability in dla cells, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. significant increase in the lifespan of dalton's lymphoma bearing animals was noted by 37% and 44%, respectively. furthermore, animals given treatment before induction of cancer showed 58% increase in lifespan and there was 95.6% reduction of solid tu ...200920104983
saffron is a monomorphic species as revealed by rapd, issr and microsatellite analyses.saffron (crocus sativus) is considered the world's most expensive spice. used mainly as a colorant for foodstuffs, it is highly appreciated for its aromatic and flavouring properties. since no molecular markers for this species have been found in the literature, the objective of this study was to determine whether phenotypical differences found in c. sativus were supported by molecular analyses.200919772674
crocus sativus against cancer. 200912957535
saffron yellow: characterization of carotenoids by high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometric detection.saffron is one of the oldest natural dyestuffs and is obtained from the dried stigmata of crocus sativus l. nowadays, saffron is considered as an invaluable spice of golden-yellow hue, a precious ingredient in the eastern and mediterranean cuisines. it is characterized by a bitter taste that is caused by the chemical properties of its constituents. the yellowness of saffron results from the presence of crocins (glycosyl esters of crocetin), its main color compounds, which are examined in the pre ...200919821449
cloning and characterization of a glucosyltransferase from crocus sativus stigmas involved in flavonoid glucosylation.flavonol glucosides constitute the second group of secondary metabolites that accumulate in crocus sativus stigmas. to date there are no reports of functionally characterized flavonoid glucosyltransferases in c. sativus, despite the importance of these compounds as antioxidant agents. moreover, their bitter taste makes them excellent candidates for consideration as potential organoleptic agents of saffron spice, the dry stigmas of c. sativus.200919695093
metabolite and target transcript analyses during crocus sativus stigma development.saffron, the desiccated stigmas of crocus sativus, is highly appreciated for its peculiar colour, flavour and aroma. several studies have been conducted with the spice, but little is known about the evolution of volatile and non-volatile compounds generated during the development of the stigma. in this study, we have followed these compounds, with special attention to those of isoprenoid origin (carotenoids and monoterpenes), which are responsible for the organoleptic properties of saffron. the ...200919473679
role of caspases and bax protein in saffron-induced apoptosis in mcf-7 cells.saffron (crocus sativus), widely used as a spice in middle eastern cuisine and is known for anti-cancer properties. the mechanism of saffron-induced cytotoxicity, in tumor cells has not been adequately explored. therefore, we investigated the role of caspases and bax protein in saffron-induced apoptosis in mcf-7 cells, a commonly used cell culture system for in vitro studies on breast cancer. cells were incubated with different concentrations of saffron extract. cell viability was quantitated by ...200919457443
evaluation of crocus sativus l. (saffron) on male erectile dysfunction: a pilot study.in this study, the effect of crocus sativus (saffron) was studied on male erectile dysfunction (ed). twenty male patients with ed were followed for ten days in which each morning they took a tablet containing 200mg of saffron. patients underwent the nocturnal penile tumescence (npt) test and the international index of erectile function questionnaire (iief-15) at the start of the treatment and at the end of the ten days. after the ten days of taking saffron there was a statistically significant i ...200919427775
an overview of structural features of dna and rna complexes with saffron compounds: models and antioxidant activity.saffron is the red dried stigmas of crocus sativus l. flowers and used both as a spice and as a drug in traditional medicine. its numerous applications as an antioxidant and anticancer agent are due to its secondary metabolites and their derivatives (safranal, crocetin, dimethylcrocetin). in this work we are comparing the spectroscopic results and antioxidant activities of saffron components safranal, crocetin (crt) and dimethylcrocetin (dmcrt) complexes with calf-thymus dna (ctdna) and transfer ...200919395270
total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of some medicinal plants.crude extracts from inula aucherana, fumaria officinalis, crocus sativus, vicum album, tribulus terestris, polygonatum multiflorum, alkanna tinctoria and taraxacum officinale were screened for their in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. total phenolic content of extracts from these plants were also determined. beta-carotene bleaching assay and folin-ciocalteu reagent were used to determine total antioxidant activity and total phenols of plant extracts. antimicrobial activity was det ...200919168430
antidepressant properties of bioactive fractions from the extract of crocus sativus l.the aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant properties of stigmas and corms of crocus sativus l. the aqueous ethanol extract of c. sativus corms was fractionated on the basis of polarity. among the different fractions, the petroleum ether fraction and dichloromethane fraction at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg showed significant antidepressant-like activities in dose-dependent manners, by means of behavioral models of depression. the immobility time in the forced swimming test a ...201019787421
in vitro development of microcorms and stigma like structures in saffron (crocus sativus l.).saffron is an important spice derived from the stigmas of crocus sativus, a species belonging to the family iridaceae. due to its triploid nature it is sterile and is not able to set seeds, so it is propagated only by corms. the natural propagation rate of most geophytes including saffron is relatively low. an in vitro multiplication technique like micropropagation has been used for the propagation of saffron. in the present study, various explants were cultured on different nutrient media suppl ...201023572987
evaluation of crocus sativus l. stigma phenolic and flavonoid compounds and its antioxidant activity.saffron (crocus sativus l.) belongs to the iridaceae family. the stigma of saffron has been widely used as spice, medicinal plant, and food additive in the mediterranean and subtropical countries. recently, attention has been paid to the identification of new sources of safe natural antioxidants for the food industry. the antioxidant activities of spices are mainly attributed to their phenolic and flavonoid compounds. saffron is one of the spices believed to possess antioxidant properties, but i ...201020877220
new applications and mechanisms of action of saffron and its important ingredients.saffron (crocus sativus l.) has been an important subject of interest for research teams in the past two decades because of its various biological properties. chemical analysis has shown the presence of more than 150 components in saffron stigmas. here, we review the medicinal and industrial applications of saffron. then, the new findings from different research groups about its medicinal properties and various cellular and molecular mechanisms of action will be discussed. the methods used for t ...201020830635
quantification of crocetin esters in saffron (crocus sativus l.) using raman spectroscopy and chemometrics.the feasibility of raman spectroscopy for predicting the content of crocetin esters (crocins), and coloring strength was assessed. 114 samples from greece, iran, italy and spain were divided into two sets: a calibration set with 49 samples and a validation one with 65 samples. calibration models for crocetin esters (r 0.97, rmsec 0.92, rmsep 0.97, rpd 3.46) and coloring strength (r 0.95, rmsec 12.2, rmsep 11.3, rpd 2.59) were built in the spectral region 1700-955 cm(-1) using partial least-squar ...201020438079
analysis of beta-carotene hydroxylase gene cdna isolated from the american oil-palm (elaeis oleifera) mesocarp tissue cdna library.it is well known that the nutritional quality of the american oil-palm (elaeis oleifera) mesocarp oil is superior to that of african oil-palm (elaeis guineensis jacq. tenera) mesocarp oil. therefore, it is of important to identify the genetic features for its superior value. this could be achieved through the genome sequencing of the oil-palm. however, the genome sequence is not available in the public domain due to commercial secrecy. hence, we constructed a cdna library and generated expressed ...201021364789
picrocrocin content and quality categories in different (345) worldwide samples of saffron ( crocus sativus l.).in this paper, 345 saffron samples were analyzed from different countries to study their picrocrocin content using different analytical techniques. the e1cm 1% of 257 nm results from all samples are inflated in comparison by the high-performance liquid chromatography (hplc) data, because of the interferences with the crocetin ester pool and especially with those with a lower trans/cis relation. a picrocrocin range update is proposed for international organization for standardization (iso) 3632 n ...201020028014
a 22-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of crocus sativus in the treatment of mild-to-moderate alzheimer's disease.there is increasing evidence to suggest the possible efficacy of crocus sativus (saffron) in the management of alzheimer's disease (ad).201019838862
genomic analysis and gene structure of the plant carotenoid dioxygenase 4 family: a deeper study in crocus sativus and its allies.the plastoglobule-targeted enzyme carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (ccd4) mediates the formation of volatile c13 ketones, such as β-ionone, by cleaving the c9-c10 and c9'-c10' double bonds of cyclic carotenoids. here, we report the isolation and analysis of ccd4 genomic dna regions in crocus sativus. different ccd4 alleles have been identified: csccd4a which is found with and without an intron and csccd4b that showed the presence of a unique intron. the presence of different ccd4 alleles was also ...201020633636
famrca-race: a rolling circle amplification race for isolating a family of homologous cdnas in one reaction and its application to obtain nac genes transcription factors from crocus (crocus sativus) flower.we describe an improvement of the rca-race (rolling circle amplification-rapid amplification of cdna ends) method, called family rca-race (famrca-race). the method is based on the generation of circular cdna fragments, followed by rolling circle amplification of the circular cdna using phi29 dna polymerase and the application of pcr using degenerate outworking primers, designed for a conserved region of homologous genes, that allows the isolation of homologous cdna sequences expressed in the mrn ...201020623429
extraction of crocin from saffron (crocus sativus) using molecularly imprinted polymer solid-phase extraction.a new molecularly imprinted polymer for extraction of crocin from saffron stigmas was prepared using gentiobiose (a glycoside moiety in crocin structure) as a template. crocin binding to gentiobiose imprinted polymer (gent-mip) was studied in comparison with a blank nonimprinted polymer in aqueous media. affinity of the gent-mip for the crocin was more than the nonimprinted polymer at all concentrations. in scatchard analysis, the number of binding sites in each gram of polymer (maximum binding ...201020589782
crocus sativus l.: a comprehensive review.crocus sativus l. belonging to the family iridaceae (syn - kesar) comprises the dried red stigma and is widely cultivated in iran and other countries such as india and greece. saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds mainly terpenes, terpene alcohol, and their esters. the bitter taste and an iodoform or hay-like fragrance are caused by chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. c. sativus possesses a number of medicinally important activities such as antihypertensive, antico ...201022228962
botany, taxonomy and cytology of crocus sativus series.saffron is produced from the dried styles of crocus sativus l. (iridaceae) which is unknown as wild plant, representing a sterile triploid. these belong to subgenus crocus series crocus sativus - series are closely related species; and are difficult to be separated taxonomically and have a complex cytology. botany of c. sativus - series, taxonomy of their species and their infraspecific taxa are presented, and their distribution, ecology and phenology; full description and chromosome counts are ...201022131743
satiereal, a crocus sativus l extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women.snacking is an uncontrolled eating behavior, predisposing weight gain and obesity. it primarily affects the female population and is frequently associated with stress. we hypothesized that oral supplementation with satiereal (inoreal ltd, plerin, france), a novel extract of saffron stigma, may reduce snacking and enhance satiety through its suggested mood-improving effect, and thus contribute to weight loss. healthy, mildly overweight women (n = 60) participated in this randomized, placebo-contr ...201020579522
crocins transport in crocus sativus: the long road from a senescent stigma to a newborn corm.saffron, the desiccated stigmas of crocus sativus, is highly appreciated by its peculiar colour, flavour and aroma. the main compounds that accumulated throughout stigma development in c. sativus are crocetin, its glucoside derivatives, crocins, and picrocrocin, all of which increased as stigmas reached a fully developed stage. after anthesis, and in the absence of fertilization, the flower enters in a senescence programme, which represents the ultimate stage of floral development and results in ...201020573363
the expression of a chromoplast-specific lycopene beta cyclase gene is involved in the high production of saffron's apocarotenoid precursors.crocus sativus is a triploid sterile plant characterized by its long red stigmas, which produce and store significant quantities of carotenoid derivatives formed from the oxidative cleavage of beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. the present study reports on the genomic structures of two lycopene-beta-cyclase genes, cstlcyb1 and cstlcyb2a, and on their transcription patterns in different c. sativus tissues. phylogenetic analysis showed that both proteins are located in different groups: cstlcyb2a encod ...201019767307
rolling circle amplification of genomic templates for inverse pcr (rca-gip): a method for 5'- and 3'-genome walking without anchoring.we have devised an improved method of genome walking, named rolling circle amplification of genomic templates for inverse pcr (rca-gip). the method is based on the generation of circular genomic dna fragments, followed by rolling circle amplification of the circular genomic dna using phi29 dna polymerase without need for attachment of anchor sequences. in this way from the circular genomic dna fragments, after rca amplification, a large amount of linear concatemers is generated suitable for inve ...201019760115
the effect of saffron consumption on biochemical and histopathological heart indices of rats with myocardial infarction.this study was designed to assess the effects of saffron (crocus sativus) on rats' heart with isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury. animals were divided randomly into four groups: vehicle-control group (ctl); iso group, administrated with isoproterenol 85 mg/kg s.c.; saffron group; and finally combined saffron + iso group. basal and final serum levels of heart troponin i, heart tissue antioxidants and histopathological indices were assessed in all groups. isoproterenol administration signific ...201020119744
changes of antioxidant enzyme activities and isoenzyme profiles during in vitro shoot formation in saffron (crocus sativus l.).among the different concentrations of thidiazuron (tdz) and between the two media gamborg (b5) and murashige and skoog (ms), the highest frequency of shoot formation could be seen in the ms medium with tdz concentration of 4.54 microm. among the different concentrations of naphtalene acetic acid (naa) and benzyl adenine (ba) in the two aforementioned media, the maximum proliferation and rooting of saffron shoots were obtained in a b5 medium containing 2.22 microm naa and 2.68 microm ba. peroxida ...201020194101
inhibitory effect of crocus sativus (saffron) on histamine (h1) receptors of guinea pig tracheal chains.the inhibitory effects of aqueous-ethanolic extracts of crocus sativus (iridaceae), on histamine (h1) receptors was examined on tracheal chains of guinea pigs. the effects of three concentrations of aqueous-ethanolic extract, 10 nm chlorpheniramine, and saline on histamine (h1) receptors were tested on three groups of guinea pig tracheal chains as follows; incubated trachea with: 1) indomethacin, 2) indomethacin, propranolol, and atropine and 3) indomethacin and propranolol. the ec50 (effective ...201020432629
fibrillation of alpha-lactalbumin: effect of crocin and safranal, two natural small molecules from crocus sativus.formation of toxic amyloid structures is believed to be associated with various late-onset neurodegenerative disorders such as alzheimer's and parkinson's diseases. the fact that many proteins in addition to those that are associated with clinical conditions have the potential to form amyloid fibrils in vitro provides opportunities for studying the fundamentals of protein aggregation and amyloid formation in model systems. accordingly, considerable interest and effort has been directed toward de ...201020564050
a study into the effectiveness of the application of saffron extract in ocular pathologies in experiment.the aim of the present research was to study the mechanism of the curative action of saffron extract (crocus sativus l.). we conducted a number of experiments on chinchilla rabbits with experimental models of retinal dystrophy. the obtained data indicates the antioxidative function plays a crucial role in the curative action of saffron extract and serves as a pathogenetic basis for its application in visual impairments of various origins. modern medicine is currently marked by a heightened inter ...201020587831
in vitro assay for the anti-brucella activity of medicinal plants against tetracycline-resistant brucella melitensis.brucellosis, a zoonosis caused by four species of brucella, has a high morbidity. brucella melitensis is the main causative agent of brucellosis in both human and small ruminants. as an alternative to conventional antibiotics, medicinal plants are valuable resources for new agents against antibiotic-resistant strains. the aim of this study was to investigate the usage of native plants for brucellosis treatment. for this purpose, the anti-brucella activities of ethanolic and methanolic extracts o ...201020593515
effects of active constituents of crocus sativus l., crocin on streptozocin-induced model of sporadic alzheimer's disease in male rats.the involvement of water-soluble carotenoids, crocins, as the main and active components of crocus sativus l. extract in learning and memory processes has been proposed. in the present study, the effect of crocins on sporadic alzheimer's disease induced by intracerebroventricular (icv) streptozocin (stz) in male rats was investigated.201020683499
comparative analysis of pistil transcriptomes reveals conserved and novel genes expressed in dry, wet, and semidry stigmas.fertilization in angiosperms depends on a complex cellular "courtship" between haploid pollen and diploid pistil. these pollen-pistil interactions are regulated by a diversity of molecules, many of which remain to be identified and characterized. thus, it is unclear to what extent these processes are conserved among angiosperms, a fact confounded by limited sampling across taxa. here, we report the analysis of pistil-expressed genes in senecio squalidus (asteraceae), a species from euasterid ii, ...201020813907
saffron in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate alzheimer's disease: a 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial.what is known: herbal medicines have been used in the treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia but with variable response. crocus sativus (saffron) may inhibit the aggregation and deposition of amyloid β in the human brain and may therefore be useful in alzheimer's disease (ad).201020831681
effect of crocus sativus l. (saffron) stigma and its constituents, crocin and safranal, on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice.crocus sativus l. has been shown to interact with the opioid system. thus, the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stigma and its constituents were evaluated on morphine-withdrawal syndrome in mice. dependence was induced using subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of morphine for 3 days. on day 4, morphine was injected 0.5 h prior the interaperitoneal (i.p.) injections of the extracts, crocin, safranal, clonidine (0.3 mg/kg) or normal saline. naloxone was injected (5 mg/kg i.p.) 2 h after the ...201019827024
hypotensive effect of aqueous saffron extract (crocus sativus l.) and its constituents, safranal and crocin, in normotensive and hypertensive rats.in this study, the effects of saffron (crocus sativus) stigma aqueous extract and two active constituents, crocin and safranal, were investigated on blood pressure of normotensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate-induced hypertensive rats. three doses of crocin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), safranal (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and the aqueous extract (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) were administered intravenously in different groups of normotensive and hypertensive animals and their effects on mean arterial blood ...201020013822
microwave assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from four different spices.spices and herbs are known not only for their taste, aroma and flavour, but also for their medical properties and value. both spices and herbs have been used for centuries in traditional medical systems to cure various kinds of illnesses such as common cold, diabetes, cough and cancers. the aim of this work was the comparison between two different extractive techniques in order to get qualitative and quantitative data regarding bioactive compounds of four different spices (cinnamomum zeylanicum, ...201020877228
crocetin prevents retinal degeneration induced by oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses via inhibition of caspase activity.crocetin is a carotenoid that is the aglicone of crocin, which are found in saffron stigmas (crocus sativus l.) and gardenia fruit (gardenia jasminoides ellis). in this study, we investigated the effects of crocetin on retinal damage. to examine whether crocetin affects stress pathways, we investigated intracellular oxidation induced by reactive oxygen species, expression of endoplasmic reticulum (er) stress-related proteins, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (δψ(m)), and caspas ...201020951131
selective th2 upregulation by crocus sativus: a neutraceutical spice.the immunomodulatory activity of an indian neutraceutical spice, saffron (crocus sativus) was studied on th(1) and th(2) limbs of the immune system. oral administration of alcoholic extract of crocus sativus (acs) at graded dose levels from 1.56-50 mg/kg p.o. potentiated the th(2) response of humoral immunity causing the significant increases in agglutinating antibody titre in mice at a dose of 6.25 mg/kg and an elevation of cd19(+) b cells and il-4 cytokine, a signature cytokine of th(2) pathwa ...201020953384
role of saffron (crocus sativus l.) and honey syrup on aluminum-induced hepatotoxicity.to study the biochemical and molecular hepatotoxicity induced by aluminium chloride (alcl3) and the protective role of saffron and honey against such toxicity.201020953525
crocetin from the tubular calyx of nyctanthes arbor-tristis.a carotenoid aglycone ag-ny1 was isolated from the orange coloured tubular calyx of flowers of nyctanthes arbor-tristis. the elucidation of the structure through a detailed spectroscopic study revealed that the carotenoid molecule is crocetin, which is the major aglycone present in the stigma of crocus sativus. the compound exhibited a good membrane stabilising activity as compared to the corresponding glycoside crocin.201020954088
dna fragmentation and cell cycle arrest: a hallmark of apoptosis induced by crocin from kashmiri saffron in a human pancreatic cancer cell line.apoptosis, a widely important mechanism that contributes to cell growth reduction, is reported to be induced by crocus sativus in different cancer types. the present study was designed to elucidate apoptosis induction by crocin, a main component of crocus sativus in a human pancreatic cancer cell line (bxpc-3).201021039035
biochemical and molecular aspects of aluminium chloride-induced neurotoxicity in mice and the protective role of crocus sativus l. extraction and honey syrup.aluminium has been proposed as an environmental factor that may affect several enzymes and other biomolecules related to neurotoxicity and alzheimer's disease (ad). the promising protective effect of aqueous saffron extract and honey syrup on neurotoxicity induced by aluminuim chloride (alcl(3)) may be derived from their own antioxidant properties. balb/c and c57bl/6 mice (35-40 g) were injected with alcl(3), 40 mg/kg/day for 45 days. each mice strain was divided into four groups: alcl(3) treate ...201021115102
use of in vitro assays to assess the potential antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of saffron (crocus sativus l.) in human lung cancer cell line.saffron is harvested from the dried, dark red stigmas of crocus sativus flowers. it is used as a spice for flavoring and coloring food as a perfume. it is often used for treating several diseases. we investigated the potential of the ethanolic extract of saffron to induce antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in cultured carcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells in comparison with non-malignant (l929) cells.201021120034
crocus sativus l. (saffron) attenuates isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury via preserving cardiac functions and strengthening antioxidant defense system.saffron (dried stigmas of crocus sativus l.), a naturally derived plant product, has long been used as a traditional ancient medicine against various human diseases. the aim of the series of experiments was to systematically determine whether saffron exerts cardioprotection in isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage. male wistar rats (150-175g) were divided into five groups: control, isoproterenol (iso) and three saffron (200, 400 and 800mg/kg) treatment groups. aqueous extract of saffron or veh ...201021144717
suppression of pulmonary tumor promotion and induction of apoptosis by crocus sativus l. extraction.crocus sativus l., commonly known as saffron, is the raw material for one of the most expensive spice in the world, and it has been used in folk medicine for centuries. we investigated the potential of the ethanolic extract of saffron to induce cytotoxic and apoptosis effects in carcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (a549), a commonly used cell culture system for in vitro studies on lung cancer. the cells were cultured in dulbecco's modified eagle's medium with 10% fetal bovine serum ...201021153568
effect of crocus sativus on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.crocus sativus, known as saffron, is used in folk medicine for treatment of different types of diseases, and its anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities have been demonstrated. the present study evaluated gentamicin nephrotoxicity in saffron treated rats. male wistar rats (200-250 g) were treated with saffron (40 or 80 mg/k/d) for 10 days, or saffron (40 or 80 mg/ kg/d) for 10 days and gentamicin 80 mg/kg/d for five days, starting from day 6. at the end of treatment, blood sampl ...201021157635
potential of crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituent, crocin, as hypolipidemic and antioxidant in rats.the aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of saffron and its active constituent, crocin, in hyperlipidemic rats. the animals fed either with normal fat diet or high fat diet were administered orally saffron (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or crocin (4.84, 9.69, and 19.38 mg/kg) in their respective groups for five consecutive days. biochemical estimations of triglyceride (tg), total cholesterol (tc), high-density lipoprotein (hdl), low-density lipoprotein (l ...201019672721
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