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antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity of crocin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.the aim of the present study was to investigate the antihyperglycemic and protective potential of crocin, a pharmacologically active constituent of crocus sativus l., in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. rats were administered crocin intraperitoneally at doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg of body weight for 6 weeks. the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (tbars) and total thiol (sh) groups were measured in the liver and kidney at the end of 6 weeks. under our experimental conditions ...201323437790
alleviation of viper venom induced platelet apoptosis by crocin (crocus sativus): implications for thrombocytopenia in viper bites.viper envenomations are characterized by prominent local and systemic manifestations including hematological alterations. snake venom metalloproteinases (svmps) and phospholipase a2 (pla2) plays crucial role in the pathophysiology of hemorrhage by targeting/altering the platelets function which may result in thrombocytopenia. platelets undergo the classic events of mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway due to augmented endogenous reactive oxygen species (ros) levels. the observed anticoagulant ...201323412973
multitarget drugs of plants origin acting on alzheimer's disease.the etiopathology of alzheimer's disease (ad) is extremely complex and heterogeneous, often associated with comorbidities. as a result it may be unlikely that ad may be mitigated by drug acting on a single specific target. the current tendency in drug design and discovery in ad is the rational design or "serendipitous" discovery of new drug entities challenging multiple targets. since two of the presently approved drugs for ad are based on natural products (galantamine and the physostigmine-deri ...201323410167
hydroalcoholic extract of crocus sativus effects on bronchial inflammatory cells in ovalbumin sensitized rats.inflammation is one of the major components of asthma. our aim was to evaluate the effects of c. sativus extract on total and differential white blood cells (wbc) count in lung lavage fluid (llf) of ovalbumin-sensitized rats.201325050293
preventive effects of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on hematological parameters of experimental asthmatic rats.asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory airways distinguished by edema and infiltration of inflammatory immune cells. to test our hypothesis about the anti-inflammatory effect of saffron, we examined effects of crocus sativus (c. sativus) extract as a prophylactic anti-inflammatory agent in sensitized rats.201325050284
the effect of chronic administration of saffron (crocus sativus) stigma aqueous extract on systolic blood pressure in rats.crocus sativus l. (saffron), which belongs to the iridaceae family, is widely cultivated in iran. cardiovascular effects of saffron has been established in some studies but the effects of chronic administration of saffron (c. sativus) stigma aqueous extract on blood pressure has not been investigated.201324624210
can saffron (crocus sativus) be effective in the treatment of leishmaniasis?leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by leishmania, transmitted by the bite of some sandfly species. it is endemic in 88 countries throughout the world. pentavalent antimonials are the standard therapy for leismaniasis. saffron (crocus sativus) belongs to the iridaceae family. this paper will outline the benefits and challenges of repurposing saffron for treating leishmaniasis.201324552229
an improvement in sexual function is related to better quality of life, regardless of urinary function improvement: results from the idiprost® gold study.the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (luts) and erectile dysfunction (ed) has recently received increased attention. the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the alfa-5® association of serenoa repens, pinus massoniana bark extract (pmbe) and crocus sativus (idiprost® gold) in improvement of patient's quality of life, when compared with serenoa repens alone.201324399119
in-chain neutral hydrocarbon loss from crocin apocarotenoid ester glycosides and the crocetin aglycon (crocus sativus l.) by esi-ms(n) (n=2, 3).the stigmas of crocus sativus l. have been used as spice and colorant agent (i.e. saffron) for more than 4000 years. for an updated structural investigation of the aglycon present in the glycosylated crocetin apocarotenoids (i.e. crocins), seven representative derivatives ranging from one up to five glucosyl-residues with a maximum number of three monosaccharides per glycosylation site (glucose, gentiobiose, gentiotriose and neapolitanose) were isolated and purified by high-performance liquid ch ...201324338885
crocus sativus l. (saffron) stigma aqueous extract induces apoptosis in alveolar human lung cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathways activation.worldwide, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer. saffron has been used in folk medicine for centuries. we investigated the potential of saffron to induce cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in lung cancer cells (a549). we also examined the caspase-dependent pathways activation of saffron-induced apoptosis against the a549 cells. a549 cells were incubated with different concentrations of saffron extract; then cell morphological changes, cell viability, and apoptosis were determined by the no ...201324288678
vipera russelli venom-induced oxidative stress and hematological alterations: amelioration by crocin a dietary colorant.snakebite is a serious medical and socio-economic problem affecting the healthy individuals and agricultural and farming populations worldwide. in india, vipera russelli snakebite is common, ensuing high morbidity and mortality. the venom components persuade multifactorial stress phenomenon and alter the physiological setting by causing disruption of the blood cells and vital organs. the present study demonstrates the anti-ophidian property of crocin (crocus sativus), a potent antioxidant agains ...201322893269
the extract of crocus sativus and its constituent safranal, affect serum levels of endothelin and total protein in sensitized guinea pigs.the effect of the extract of crocus sativus and its constituent, safranal on inflammatory markers in sensitized guinea pigs was examined.201324175050
new minor glycoside components from saffron.phytochemical investigation of the stigmas of crocus sativus resulted in the isolation of eight glycosides (1-8) including a new safranal glycoside (2) and a new carotenoid pigment (6). the structures of the new compounds were identified as (4r)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde 4-o-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (2) and trans-crocetin-1-al 1-o-β-gentiobiosyl ester (6) on the basis of extensive chemical and spectroscopic evidence.201323179314
investigation of the neuroprotective action of saffron (crocus sativus l.) in aluminum-exposed adult mice through behavioral and neurobiochemical assessment.in the present study, the possible reversal effects of saffron against established aluminum (al)-toxicity in adult mice, were investigated. control, al-treated (50 mg alcl(3)/kg/day diluted in the drinking water for 5 weeks) and al+saffron (al-treatment as previously plus 60 mg saffron extract/kg/day intraperitoneally for the last 6 days), groups of male balb-c mice were used. we assessed learning/memory, the activity of acetylcholinesterase [ache, salt-(ss)/detergent-soluble(ds) isoforms], buty ...201323168242
anti-arthritic effects of crocin in interleukin-1β-treated articular chondrocytes and cartilage in a rabbit osteoarthritic model.interleukin-1β-mediated production of matrix metalloproteinases (mmps) plays a pivotal role in the process of osteoarthritis. crocin, a pharmacologically active component of crocus sativus l. (saffron), has been used in chinese traditional medicine. in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of crocin on mmp-1, mmp-3 and mmp-13 expression in rabbit chondrocytes induced by interleukin-1β (il-1β) and in an experimental rabbit model induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection.201322903188
avicenna's (ibn sina) the canon of medicine and saffron (crocus sativus): a review.in this review, we introduce the traditional uses of saffron and its pharmacological activities as described by either avicenna in book ii, canon of medicine (al-qanun fi al-tib) or from recent scientific studies. modern pharmacological findings on saffron are compared with those mentioned in avicenna's monograph. a computerized search of published articles was performed using medline, scopus and web of science databases as well as local references. the search terms used were saffron, crocus sat ...201322815242
comparative study of superoxide dismutase activity assays in crocus sativus l. corms.superoxide dismutase catalyzes the breakdown of the superoxide radical anion and provides the first line of defense against oxygen toxicity. its vital importance has made it the subject of numerous investigations. several assays have been proposed for the detection and quantitation of superoxide dismutase activity, but their use has remained controversial and no comparative studies have been reported. in this investigation, three commonly used methods were compared for the measurement of superox ...201316521587
inhibition of growth and induction of differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia (hl-60) by carotenoids from crocus sativus l.the effects of carotenoids of crocus sativus l. (saffron) on cell proliferation and differentiation of hl-60 cells have been studied and compared with those of all-trans retinoic acid. our results demonstrated that the doses inducing 50% inhibition of cell growth were 0.12 microm for all-trans retinoic acid (atra) and for carotenoids of saffron 0.8 microm for dimethylcrocetin (dmcrt), 2 microm for crocetin crt and 2 microm for crocins (crcs). at 5 microm, all these compounds induced differentiat ...20137847826
crocins, the active constituents of crocus sativus l., counteracted ketamine-induced behavioural deficits in rats.experimental evidence indicates that the non-competitive n-methyl-d-aspartate (nmda) receptor antagonist ketamine impairs cognition and can mimic certain aspects of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia in rodents. crocins are among the active components of the plant crocus sativus l. and were found to be effective in different models of psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression.201424096536
effect of aqueous extract of crocus sativus l. (saffron) stigma against subacute effect of diazinon on specific biomarkers in rats.in this study, the effect of aqueous extract of crocus sativus l. (saffron) stigma was studied against subacute toxicity of diazinon (dzn) on specific biochemical markers in rats. vitamin e (200 iu/kg) and the aqueous extract of saffron at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg were injected intraperitoneally three times per week alone or with dzn (20 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks. red blood cell (rbc) cholinesterase activity was inhibited by dzn and this effect was not affected by vitamin e or saffron pl ...201422782707
in vitro cormlet production of saffron (crocus sativus l. kashmirianus) and their flowering response under greenhouse.a complete protocol for the saffron cormlet production under in vitro conditions and subsequent flowering under greenhouse conditions is described. highest number of cormlets (70.0 ± 0.30) per corm slice (explant) could be regenerated on murashige and skoog (ms) half strength medium supplemented with thidiazuron (tdz) (20 µm), indole acetic acid (iaa) (10 µm), and sucrose (40 g/l). maximum germination (90%) of these cormlets could be achieved on ms medium containing 6-benzyl amino purine (bap) ( ...201422892688
effect of split foliar fertilisation on the quality and quantity of active constituents in saffron (crocus sativus l.).saffron (crocus sativus l.) is one of the most expensive medicinal and aromatic plants in the world. due to the excessive application of chemical fertilisers in saffron farms and alkalinity of most cultivated soils, split foliar fertilisation has been suggested. the primary goal of this study was to propose split foliar fertilisation as a technique in increasing the quality and quantity of active constituents in saffron. hplc analysis was used to quantify the most important saffron components; c ...201424288269
bioactivity assessment and toxicity of crocin: a comprehensive review.since ancient times, saffron, the dried stigma of the plant crocus sativus l. has been extensively used as a spice and food colorant; in folk medicine it has been reputed to be efficacious for the alleviation and treatment of ailments. in addition to the three founded major constituents including crocin, picrocrocin and safranal, presence of carotenoids, carbohydrates, proteins, anthocyanins, vitamins and minerals provide valuable insights into the health benefits and nutritional value of saffro ...201424275090
saffron and natural carotenoids: biochemical activities and anti-tumor effects.saffron, a spice derived from the flower of crocus sativus, is rich in carotenoids. two main natural carotenoids of saffron, crocin and crocetin, are responsible for its color. preclinical studies have shown that dietary intake of some carotenoids have potent anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting their potential preventive and/or therapeutic roles in several tissues. the reports represent that the use of carotenoids without the potential for conversion to vitamin a may provide ...201424269582
effective isolation protocol for secondary metabolites from saffron: semi-preparative scale preparation of crocin-1 and trans-crocetin.extracts from saffron, the dried stigmata from crocus sativus l. are recognized as valuable tools for pharmaceutical development in neuroprotection and antidepressive therapy. one major lead compound is crocin-1 (1), which gets metabolized to the c20-dicarboxylic acid trans-crocetin (2) being responsible for potential nmda-antagonistic effects in the central nervous system. neither crocin-1 nor crocetin are commercially available in sufficient quality and to a reasonable price. the following pro ...201424321578
protective effect of crocin on diazinon induced vascular toxicity in subchronic exposure in rat aorta ex-vivo.diazinon (dzn) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide. although mechanism of dzn cardiovascular toxicity is primarily mediated through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, however, dzn causes remarkable atropine-insensitive hypotension in rats. it has been proved that oxidative stress is an important mechanism of dzn toxicity especially in chronic exposure. crocin, an active ingredient of saffron, has been found to antagonize the hypotensive effects of dzn in rats, but do not reverse acetyl ...201424392635
crocetin, a carotenoid from gardenia jasminoides ellis, protects against hypertension and cerebral thrombogenesis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.crocetin is a natural carotenoid dicarboxylic acid that is found in the fruit of gardenia jasminoides ellis (cape jasmine) and in the stamen and pistil of crocus sativus l. (saffron). it is used worldwide as an important spice, food colorant, and herbal medicine. in the current investigation, we have examined the cardiovascular effects of crocetin using stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (shrsps). male shrsps (6 weeks old) were classified into three groups: a control group and two croc ...201424550159
antidepressant effects of crocin and its effects on transcript and protein levels of creb, bdnf, and vgf in rat hippocampus.antidepressants have been shown to affect levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) and vgf (non-acronymic) whose transcriptions are dependent on camp response element binding protein (creb) in long term treatment. the aim of this study was to verify the subacute antidepressant effects of crocin, an active constituent of saffron (crocus sativus l.), and its effects on creb, bdnf, and vgf proteins, transcript levels and amount of active, phosphorylated creb (p-creb) protein in rat hippoc ...201424401376
effects of chronic crocin treatment on desoxycorticosterone acetate (doca)-salt hypertensive rats.in this study, the effects of chronic administration of crocin, an active constituent of saffron, on blood pressures of normotensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate (doca) - salt induced hypertensive rats, were investigated.201424592301
barcoding melting curve analysis for rapid, sensitive, and discriminating authentication of saffron (crocus sativus l.) from its adulterants.saffron (crocus sativus l.) is one of the most important and expensive medicinal spice products in the world. because of its high market value and premium price, saffron is often adulterated through the incorporation of other materials, such as carthamus tinctorius l. and calendula officinalis l. flowers, hemerocallis l. petals, daucus carota l. fleshy root, curcuma longa l. rhizomes, zea may l., and nelumbo nucifera gaertn. stigmas. to develop a straightforward, nonsequencing method for rapid, ...201425548775
effects of saffron (crocus sativus) petal ethanolic extract on hematology, antibody response, and spleen histology in rats.saffron petal is a by-product that contains flavonoids and anthocyanins. in order to study the effects of saffron petal extract (spe) on blood parameters, immune system, and spleen histology, five treatments (n=6) were used in a completely randomized design.201425050307
safranal, a novel protein tyrosine phosphatase 1b inhibitor, activates insulin signaling in c2c12 myotubes and improves glucose tolerance in diabetic kk-ay mice.protein tyrosine phosphatase 1b (ptp1b) negatively regulates insulin signaling by tyrosine dephosphorylation of insulin receptor, and its increased activity and expression is implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. hence, ptp1b inhibition is anticipated to improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic subjects. the aim of this study was to find a novel ptp1b inhibitor from medicinal food and to evaluate its antidiabetic effects.201424668740
a review of the chemistry and uses of crocins and crocetin, the carotenoid natural dyes in saffron, with particular emphasis on applications as colorants including their use as biological stains.the perennial flowering plant, saffron crocus (crocus sativus l.), is the source of the most expensive spice in the world. the dried stigmas of saffron flowers are the source of a natural dye, saffron, which has been used from ancient times for dyeing silk and fabric rugs, and for painting; it also has been used for cooking and in medicine. the yellow compounds present in the dye include crocins, which are 20-carbon water soluble glycosyl derivatives of the carotenoid, crocetin, and the dicarbox ...201424665936
flavonoid determination in the quality control of floral bioresidues from crocus sativus l.a high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection method (hplc-dad) was validated for the analysis of floral bioresidues obtained in saffron spice production by using three different solvent mixtures [water/hydrochloric acid (hcl) (100:1, v/v), water/acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid (47:50:3, v/v/v), and water/acetonitrile/hcl (50:50:1, v/v/v)]. fifteen phenolic compounds were tentatively identified, kaempferol 3-o-sophoroside and delphinidin 3,5-di-o-glucoside being the ...201424650077
identification of bacteria associated with underground parts of crocus sativus by 16s rrna gene targeted metagenomic approach.saffron (crocus sativus l), an autumn-flowering perennial sterile plant, reproduces vegetatively by underground corms. saffron has biannual corm-root cycle that makes it an interesting candidate to study microbial dynamics in its rhizosphere and cormosphere (area under influence of corm). culture independent 16s rrna gene metagenomic study of rhizosphere and cormosphere of saffron during flowering stage revealed presence of 22 genera but none of the genus was common in all the three samples. bul ...201424989343
apical dominance in saffron and the involvement of the branching enzymes ccd7 and ccd8 in the control of bud sprouting.in saffron (crocus sativus), new corms develop at the base of every shoot developed from the maternal corm, a globular underground storage stem. since the degree of bud sprouts influences the number and size of new corms, and strigolactones (sls) suppress growth of pre-formed axillary bud, it was considered appropriate to investigate sl involvement in physiology and molecular biology in saffron. we focused on two of the genes within the sl pathway, ccd7 and ccd8, encoding carotenoid cleavage enz ...201424947472
the effect of safranal, a constituent of crocus sativus (saffron), on tracheal responsiveness, serum levels of cytokines, total no and nitrite in sensitized guinea pigs.the effect of safranal (one of the constituents of crocus sativus) on ovalbumin (ova) sensitized guinea pigs was examined.201424905307
new insights into the biological properties of crocus sativus l.: chemical modifications, human monoamine oxidases inhibition and molecular modeling studies.although there are clinical trials and in vivo studies in literature regarding the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of the components of crocus sativus l., their effects on the human monoamine oxidases (hmao-a and hmao-b), enzymes which are involved in mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, have not yet been investigated. we have thus examined the hmao inhibitory activities of crocin and safranal (the most important active principles in saffron) and, subsequently, designed a se ...201424904963
antitumor effects of saffron-derived carotenoids in prostate cancer cell models.crocus sativus l. extracts (saffron) are rich in carotenoids. preclinical studies have shown that dietary intake of carotenoids has antitumor effects suggesting their potential preventive and/or therapeutic roles. we have recently reported that saffron (se) and crocin (cr) exhibit anticancer activity by promoting cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer (pca) cells. it has also been demonstrated that crocetin esters are produced after se gastrointestinal digestion by cr hydrolysis. the aim of the pr ...201424900952
application of response surface methodology to optimise supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of volatile compounds from crocus sativus.crocus sativus has been used as a traditional chinese medicine for a long time. the volatile compounds of c. sativus appear biologically active and may act as antioxidants as well as anticonvulsants, antidepressants and antitumour agents. in order to obtain the highest possible yield of essential oils from c. sativus, response surface methodology was employed to optimise the conditions of supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction of the volatile compounds from c. sativus. four factorswere in ...201424834501
the synergic effects of crocus sativus l. and low frequency electromagnetic field on vegfr2 gene expression in human breast cancer cells.angiogenesis, which is required for embryonic development and many physiological events, plays crucial role in many pathological conditions such as tumor growth and metastasis. recent studies indicate anticancer and antitumor properties of saffron against human cancers. many processes are affected by electromagnetic field (emf) and its effect on proliferation and gene expression were examined. in this experimental study, the synergic effects of saffron and emf on vegfr2 gene expression in mcf7 c ...201424834315
nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity evaluation of crocus sativus stigmas in neonates of nursing mice.crocus sativus, known as saffron crocus, is best known for the spice saffron. saffron use spans more than 3500 years, however, its toxicity on neonates during lactation has not yet evaluated.201424772401
a comparative study of saffron aqueous extract and its active ingredient, crocin on the in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, and in vitro culture of mouse oocytes.reactive oxygen species have effects on gamete quality and gamete interaction; they influence spermatozoa, oocytes, embryos, and their environment. in this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of different concentrations of saffron (crocus sativus l.) aqueous extract (sae) and its ingredient, crocin, on the improvement of in vitro maturation (ivm) and subsequent in vitro fertilization (ivf) and embryo development of mouse oocytes.201424767641
anticarcinogenic effect of saffron (crocus sativus l.) and its ingredients.conventional and newly emerging treatment procedures such as chemotherapy, catalytic therapy, photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy have not succeeded in reversing the outcome of cancer diseases to any drastic extent, which has led researchers to investigate alternative treatment options. the extensive repertoire of traditional medicinal knowledge systems from various parts of the world are being re-investigated for their healing properties crocus sativus l., commonly known as saffron, is the ra ...201424761112
saffron improves epididymal sperm parameters in rats exposed to cadmium.cadmium (cd) is known to cause various disorders in the testis. the general population may be exposed to cd through ingestion of food and drinking water, inhalation of particulates from ambient air, tobacco smoke and ingestion of contaminated soil and dust. saffron (crocus sativus l.) is widely used as a food flavour, and has well known medicinal effects.201424719804
evaluation of lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid oxidative stress indices for assessing the preventing effects of safranal on respiratory distress in diabetic rats.we investigated the effects of antioxidant activity of safranal, a constituent of crocus sativus l., against lung oxidative damage in diabetic rats. the rats were divided into the following groups of 8 animals each: control, diabetic, and three diabetic + safranal-treated (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/kg/day) groups. streptozotocin (stz) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a single dose of 60 mg/kg for diabetes induction. safranal was administered (i.p.) from 3 days after stz administration to t ...201424701146
proposed cytotoxic mechanisms of the saffron carotenoids crocin and crocetin on cancer cell lines.we investigated the cytotoxic activities of crocin and crocetin, 2 major carotenoids isolated from the stigma of crocus sativus (saffron), on 5 human cancer cell lines and proposed their possible anticancer mechanisms. crocetin, a glycosylated carotenoid, showed approximately 5- to 18-fold higher cytotoxicity than crocin, a carboxylic carotenoid (ic50 of 0.16-0.61 mmol/l for crocetin vs. 2.0-5.5 mmol/l for crocin). this suggests that structural differences account for the different efficacies be ...201424697694
study on diuretic activity of saffron (stigma of crocus sativus l.) aqueous extract in rat.saffron is the most expensive spice in the world and consists of the dried stigmas of crocus sativus l. it is used as food coloring and flavoring in food industry and traditional cooking and also in folk medicine as antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic, expectorant, aphrodisiac and cardiotonic. the present study has evaluated the diuretic activity of aqueous extract of dried saffron (stigma of crocussativus) in rat. aqueous extracts of saffron were administered to experimental rats orally as do ...201424696813
protective effect of crocin against cerebral ischemia in a dose-dependent manner in a rat model of ischemic stroke.crocin is a water-soluble carotenoid isolated from the crocus sativus l (saffron) stigma. it has previously been reported that it has protective effects against renal, cardiac, and global cerebral ischemic injury. however its therapeutic effects remain to be clarified regarding ischemic reperfusion injuries, brain edema, and activity of antioxidant enzymes in a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia.201423182363
cytotoxic effect against 3t3 fibroblasts cells of saffron floral bio-residues extracts.for every kilogram of saffron spice produced, about 63 kg of floral bio-residues (fb) (tepals, stamens and styles) are thrown away. extracts of these bio-residues in water (w1), water:hcl (100:1, v/v) (w2), ethanol (e3), ethanol:hcl (100:1, v/v) (e4), dichloromethane (d5) and hexane (h6) were prepared. their composition in flavonols and anthocyanins, and their effect on cell viability were determined. w1 was the richest in kaempferol 3-sophoroside (30.34 mg/g dry fb) and delphinidin 3,5-diglucos ...201424206685
a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of crocus sativus l. with fluoxetine for improving mild to moderate depression in post percutaneous coronary intervention patients.a significant correlation exists between coronary artery diseases and depression. the aim of this trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of saffron versus fluoxetine in improving depressive symptoms of patients who were suffering from depression after performing percutaneous coronary intervention (pci).201424289892
effect of crocus sativus l. (saffron) on coagulation and anticoagulation systems in healthy volunteers.saffron showed some effects on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation in in vitro and in vivo studies. in a clinical trial with a limited number volunteers, saffron tablets influenced on bleeding time. in this study, the effect of saffron on plasma level of fibrinogen, factor vii (as coagulant agent), c and s protein (as anti-coagulant agent), pt and ptt in a larger sample size was evaluated. the study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study consisting of 1 week treatment with 200 mg an ...201423733488
in vitro activity and cytotoxicity of crocus sativus extract against leihmania major (mrho/ir/75/er).leishmaniasis is a complex protozoan disease comprising a wide range of clinical manifestations that is usually divided into visceral leishmaniasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis depending on leishmania parasite species and host's immune system responses. most of the drugs produced for the treatment of leishmaniasis, from the first used to the most recently accepted, are toxic, resistance issues and poorly tolerated. the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect ...201425159304
draft genome sequence of plant growth-promoting bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain w2 associated with crocus sativus (saffron).bacillus sp. strain w2 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium isolated from saffron fields of kashmir, india. here, we report the draft genome sequence (3.9 mb) of bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain w2 having 65 contigs (3, 997, 511 bp), 4,163 coding sequences, and an average 46.45% gc content. despite the 99% identity of the 16s rrna gene with that of bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum fzb42, the genome comparison revealed that only 48.7% of the w2 genome has homology with that of f ...201425212614
ftir spectroscopic evaluation of changes in the cellular biochemical composition of the phytopathogenic fungus alternaria alternata induced by extracts of some greek medicinal and aromatic plants.in this study, the biological activity of aquatic extracts of selected greek medicinal and aromatic plants to the phytopathogenic fungus alternaria alternata was investigated. lamiaceae species (hyssopus officinalis l., melissa officinalis l., origanum dictamnus l., origanum vulgare l. and salvia officinalis l.) were found to enhance significantly the mycelium growth whereas crocus sativus appears to inhibit it slightly. m. officinalis and s. officinalis caused the highest stimulation in myceliu ...201424657421
new target carotenoids for ccd4 enzymes are revealed with the characterization of a novel stress-induced carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase gene from crocus sativus.apocarotenoid compounds play diverse communication functions in plants, some of them being as hormones, pigments and volatiles. apocarotenoids are the result of enzymatic cleavage of carotenoids catalyzed by carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (ccd). the ccd4 family is the largest family of plant ccds, only present in flowering plants, suggesting a functional diversification associated to the adaptation for specific physiological capacities unique to them. in saffron, two ccd4 genes have been previo ...201425204497
novel carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase catalyzes the first dedicated step in saffron crocin biosynthesis.crocus sativus stigmas are the source of the saffron spice and accumulate the apocarotenoids crocetin, crocins, picrocrocin, and safranal, responsible for its color, taste, and aroma. through deep transcriptome sequencing, we identified a novel dioxygenase, carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2 (ccd2), expressed early during stigma development and closely related to, but distinct from, the ccd1 dioxygenase family. ccd2 is the only identified member of a novel ccd clade, presents the structural featu ...201425097262
evaluation of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles synthesis and its application in postharvest physiology of cut flowers.today the use of silver nanoparticles is becoming increasingly widespread due to their wide applications as antimicrobial agent. green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (snps) using the petal extract of saffron (crocus sativus) as a reducing agent from 5 mm agno3 has been investigated in this work. diverse petal extracts quantities and reaction times were used for the synthesis of snps. the resulting snps were characterized by means of uv-vis, xrd and ftir techniques. snps were synthesized rapid ...201425049454
challenges of climate change: omics-based biology of saffron plants and organic agricultural biotechnology for sustainable saffron production.kashmir valley is a major saffron (crocus sativus kashmirianus) growing area of the world, second only to iran in terms of production. in kashmir, saffron is grown on uplands (termed in the local language as "karewas"), which are lacustrine deposits located at an altitude of 1585 to 1677 m above mean sea level (amsl), under temperate climatic conditions. kashmir, despite being one of the oldest historical saffron-producing areas, faces a rapid decline of saffron industry. among many other factor ...201425072266
hepatoprotective herbs, avicenna viewpoint.liver injury or dysfunction is considered as a serious health problem. the available synthetic drugs to treat liver disorders are expensive and cause further damage. hence, hepatoprotective effects of some herbal drugs have been investigated, and one of the methods to choose herbs in order to study their biological effects is to search in ancient medical texts. avicenna who is known as the prince of physicians had collected and classified greek, persian and islamic medicine in the best possible ...201424719702
protective effects of crocus sativus l. extract and crocin against chronic-stress induced oxidative damage of brain, liver and kidneys in rats.chronic stress has been reported to induce oxidative damage of the brain. a few studies have shown that crocus sativus l., commonly known as saffron and its active constituent crocin may have a protective effect against oxidative stress. the present work was designed to study the protective effects of saffron extract and crocin on chronic - stress induced oxidative stress damage of the brain, liver and kidneys.201425671180
crocin effects on human myeloma cells regarding intracellular redox state, dna fragmentation, and apoptosis or necrosis profile.well-documented studies reported several pharmacological properties for crocin, the active compound of crocus sativus, such as its antitumor, radical scavenging, antidepressant, and memory-enhancing effects.201425625054
attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis by ethanolic and aqueous extracts of crocus sativus l. stigma after chronic constriction injury of rats.in our previous study, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of crocus sativus elicited antinociceptive effects in the chronic constriction injury (cci) model of neuropathic pain. in this study, we explored anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of such extracts in cci animals. a total of 72 animals were divided as vehicle-treated cci rats, sham group, cci animals treated with the effective dose of aqueous and ethanolic extracts (200 mg/kg, i.p.). the lumbar spinal cord levels o ...201425590719
crocetin, a carotenoid derived from saffron (crocus sativus l.), improves acetylcholine-induced vascular relaxation in hypertension.hypertension is associated with endothelial dysfunction characterized by decreased vasorelaxation. crocetin, a bioactive compound of saffron, exhibits favorable cardiovascular properties. we analyze the vasomodulatory effects of crocetin in hypertension.201425531977
attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis by ethanolic and aqueous extracts of crocus sativus l. stigma after chronic constriction injury of rats.in our previous study, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of crocus sativus elicited antinociceptive effects in the chronic constriction injury (cci) model of neuropathic pain. in this study, we explored anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of such extracts in cci animals. a total of 72 animals were divided as vehicle-treated cci rats, sham group, cci animals treated with the effective dose of aqueous and ethanolic extracts (200 mg/kg, i.p.). the lumbar spinal cord levels o ...201425493695
hepatoprotective effect of crocus sativus (saffron) petals extract against acetaminophen toxicity in male wistar rats.acetaminophen (apap) toxicity is known to be common and potentially fatal. this study aims to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract, remaining from crocus sativus petals (csp) against apap-induced hepatotoxicity by measuring the blood parameters and studying the histopathology of liver in male rats.201425386395
saffron (crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action.saffron, a spice derived from the flower of crocus sativus, has now undergone several trials examining its antidepressant effects and, in a recent meta-analysis, was confirmed to be effective for the treatment of major depression.201425384672
influence of culinary processing time on saffron's bioactive compounds (crocus sativus l.).saffron, the dried stigmas of crocus sativus l., is used as a condiment spice. the major bioactive compounds are crocins, picrocrocin and safranal, which are responsible for the sensory profile of saffron (color, flavor and aroma, respectively), and also health-promoting properties. in this paper, the effect on the bioactive compounds of different cooking times in boiling water at 100 °c in samples of saffron from la mancha (safranal, picrocrocin, trans-crocin 4, cis-crocin 4 and trans-crocin 3) ...201425373843
moisturizing effect of stable cream containing crocus sativus extracts.the present study is about to prepare stable cream of water-in-oil emulsion containing extracts of crocus sativus against its base (without extracts) taken as control, to determine its stability on different storage conditions and effects on skin moisture contents and transepidermal water loss. the formulation contains 3% crocus sativus (saffron) concentrated extracts, and the base containing no extract, were formulated. different stability tests were done on samples, which placed at 8°c, 25°c, ...201425362612
effect of saffron (crocus sativus l.) on sodium valporate induced cytogenetic and testicular alterations in albino rats.the present study investigated the cytogenetic and testicular damage induced by the antiepileptic drug, sodium valporate (svp) in albino rats and the effect of saffron aqueous extracts. treating rats with svp caused a significant increase in the chromosomal aberrations either structural or numerical and decreased the mitotic index. besides, animals administered svp showed dna damage appeared in the single strand breaks (comet assay). testis of svp-treated rats showed many histopathological chang ...201425276476
safranal, a crocus sativus l constituent suppresses the growth of k-562 cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia. in silico and in vitro study.crocin, a main constituent of crocus sativus l (saffron), has been found to inhibit the growth of k-562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia (cml) cells expressing bcr-abl protein tyrosine kinase activity. the aim of our study is to investigate the ability of the bioactive saffron's constituents, crocin (crc) and safranal (sfr), to inhibit the bcr-abl protein activity employing an in silico approach, as well as the in vitro effect of these compounds on k-562 growth and gene expression of bcr-abl. ...201425239662
antilithiatic effects of crocin on ethylene glycol-induced lithiasis in rats.in this study, the antilithiatic potential of crocin, a pharmacologically active constituent of crocus sativus l. (saffron), was evaluated against ethylene glycol (eg)-induced nephrolithiasis in rats. negative control rats were provided with eg (1 %) in drinking water for 30 days. crocin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered simultaneously once daily for 30 days (prophylactic regimen) or 14 days after stone induction (therapeutic study). for biochemical analysis, 24-h urine was collected ...201425173352
comparing the efficacy and safety of crocus sativus l. with memantine in patients with moderate to severe alzheimer's disease: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.limited pharmacological options are available for the management of alzheimer's disease (ad) in severe stages. cognitive-enhancing properties of saffron, the dried stigma of crocus sativus l., have been evidenced in different studies. we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of saffron extract versus memantine in reducing cognitive deterioration of patients with moderate to severe ad.201425163440
crocin, the main active saffron constituent, as an adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical trial.herbal remedies play an important role in treatment of psychiatric disorders. the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of crocin, the main active constituent of saffron, as an adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder (mdd).201525484177
evaluation of saffron (crocus sativus l.) adulteration with plant adulterants by (1)h nmr metabolite fingerprinting.in the present work, a preliminary study for the detection of adulterated saffron and the identification of the adulterant used by means of (1)h nmr and chemometrics is reported. authentic greek saffron and four typical plant-derived materials utilised as bulking agents in saffron, i.e., crocus sativus stamens, safflower, turmeric, and gardenia were investigated. a two-step approach, relied on the application of both opls-da and o2pls-da models to the (1)h nmr data, was adopted to perform authen ...201525466103
gas chromatography of safranal as preferable method for the commercial grading of saffron (crocus sativus l.).we present a new extraction protocol, using ethyl alcohol as a solvent, to evaluate safranal by gas chromatography (gc). a linear response was obtained with r(2)=0.995 and a reproducibility standard deviation of 4.7-6.0%. the limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.05 and 0.25gkg(-1), respectively. the gc data for several samples of powdered saffron from different origins were compared to specific absorbance values measured according to the iso normative 3632-1:2011 method. the aroma ...201525624201
identification, cloning and characterization of an ultrapetala transcription factor csult1 from crocus: a novel regulator of apocarotenoid biosynthesis.crocus sativus is a triploid sterile plant with long red stigmas which form commercial saffron. saffron is the site for synthesis and accumulation of apocarotenoids like crocin, picrocrin and safranal which are responsible for its color, flavour and aroma making it world's most expensive spice. these compounds are formed by oxidative cleavage of zeaxanthin by carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases. although the biosynthetic pathway of apocarotenoids is known to a considerable extent, the mechanism tha ...201525640597
intestinal formation of trans-crocetin from saffron extract (crocus sativus l.) and in vitro permeation through intestinal and blood brain barrier.extracts of saffron (crocus sativus l.) have traditionally been used against depressions. recent preclinical and clinical investigations have rationalized this traditional use. trans-crocetin, a saffron metabolite originating from the crocin apocarotenoids, has been shown to exert strong nmda receptor affinity and is thought to be responsible for the cns activity of saffron. pharmacokinetic properties of the main constituents from saffron have only been described to a limited extent. therefore t ...201525636868
crocin protects pc12 cells against mpp(+)-induced injury through inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and er stress.the molecular machinery that mediates neuronal injury in neurodegenerative conditions such as parkinson's disease (pd) remains to be fully deciphered, which will hopefully provide novel therapeutic targets for these disorders. crocin, one of the water-soluble carotenoids isolated from the crocus sativus l (saffron) stigma, has been reported to exert therapeutic potential in many disease models. here, we establish an in vitro pd model using 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (mpp(+))-injured pc12 cells ...201526209153
a systematic review of randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of saffron (crocus sativus l.) on psychological and behavioral outcomes.throughout the past three decades, increased scientific attention has been given to examining saffron's (crocus sativus l.) use as a potential therapeutic or preventive agent for a number of health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and depression.201526165367
crocus sativus l. (saffron) for cancer chemoprevention: a mini review.cancer is one of the most feared diseases globally and there has been a sustained rise in its incidence in both developing and developed countries. despite the growing therapeutic options for patients with cancer, their efficacy is time-limited and non-curative. hence to overcome these drawbacks, an incessant screening for superior and safer drugs has been ongoing for numerous decades, resulting in the detection of anti-cancer properties of several phytochemicals. chemoprevention using readily a ...201526151016
diversity and relationships of crocus sativus and its relatives analysed by inter-retroelement amplified polymorphism (irap).saffron (crocus sativus) is a sterile triploid (2n = 3x = 24) cultivated species, of unknown origin from other diploid and polyploid species in the genus crocus (iridaceae). species in the genus have high morphological diversity, with no clear phylogenetic patterns below the level of section crocus series crocus. using dna markers, this study aimed to examine the diversity and relationships within and between species of crocus series crocus.201526138822
inhibitory effect of corcin on aggregation of 1n/4r human tau protein in vitro.alzheimer's disease (ad) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. one of the hallmarks of ad is an abnormal accumulation of fibril forms of tau protein which is known as a microtubule associated protein. in this regard, inhibition of tau aggregation has been documented to be a potent therapeutic approach in ad and tauopathies. unfortunately, the available synthetic drugs have modest beneficial efficacy with several side effects. therefore, pipeline drugs from natural sources wi ...201526124935
effect of crocus sativus extracts and its active constituent safranal on the harmaline-induced tremor in mice.due to unsatisfactory response or intolerable side effects of current drugs, treatment of essential tremor remains inadequate. thus, we aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of crocus sativus (saffron), and its active consistent, safranal, on the harmaline-induced tremor in mice.201526124930
energy analyses and greenhouse gas emissions assessment for saffron production cycle.population growth and world climate changes are putting high pressure on agri-food production systems. exacerbating use of energy sources and expanding the environmental damaging symptoms are the results of these difficult situations. this study was conducted to determine the energy balance for saffron production cycle and investigate the corresponding greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions in iran. saffron (crocus sativus l.) is one of the main spice that historically cultivated in iran. data were obta ...201526070740
identification of safranal as the main allelochemical from saffron (crocus sativus).dried parts of 75 medicinal plant species collected from different regions in iran were assayed by the dish pack method for volatile allelopathic activity, using lactuca sativa (lettuce) as the test plant. the highest (60%) inhibition was observed for saffron (stigma of crocus sativus), followed by dracocephalum kotschyi, solanum nigrum and artemisia aucheri. safranal was identified as the main chemical by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (hs- gc-ms) analyses of saffron. moreover, ...201526058156
quantitation of crocins and picrocrocin in saffron by hplc: application to quality control and phytochemical differentiation from other crocus taxa.a chromatographic method was developed and fully validated for the determination of the major saffron constituents, i.e., picrocrocin and five major crocins. dried samples (styles of crocus sativus and other crocus taxa) were extracted with meoh : water (1 : 1, v/v), and chromatographic separation of the analytes was achieved by reversed-phase chromatography using a gradient elution. full validation was performed using spiked samples with analytes, which were isolated, purified, and characterize ...201526018797
petals of crocus sativus l. as a potential source of the antioxidants crocin and kaempferol.saffron from the province of l'aquila, in the abruzzo region of italy, is highly prized and has been awarded a formal recognition by the european union with eu protected designation of origin (pdo) status. despite this, the saffron regions are abandoned by the younger generations because the traditional cultivation of saffron (crocus sativus l.) is labour intensive and yields only one crop of valuable saffron stamens per year. petals of the saffron crocus have had additional uses in traditional ...201526012879
effects of a topical saffron (crocus sativus l) gel on erectile dysfunction in diabetics: a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.erectile dysfunction is a man's persistent or recurrent inability to achieve and maintain erection for a satisfactory sexual relationship. as diabetes is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among diabetic men has been reported as 35% to 90%. this randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a topical saffron (crocus sativus l) gel on erectile dysfunction in diabetic men. patients were randomly allo ...201525948674
saffron as an antidote or a protective agent against natural or chemical toxicities.saffron (crocus sativus) is an extensively used food additive for its color and taste. since ancient times this plant has been introduced as a marvelous medicine throughout the world. the wide spectrum of saffron pharmacological activities is related to its major constituents including crocin, crocetin and safranal. based on several studies, saffron and its active ingredients have been used as an antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive, antidepressant, antitussive, anticonvulsant, memo ...201525928729
the effect of chronic administration of safranal on systolic blood pressure in rats.safranal, the main component of crocus sativus essential oil, exhibits different pharmacological activities. in this study, the effects of safranal, on blood pressure of normotensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate (doca) - salt induced hypertensive rats in chronic administration were investigated. three doses of safranal (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg/day) and spironolactone (50 mg/kg/day) were administrated to the different groups of normotensive and hypertensive rats (at the end of 4 weeks treatment by d ...201525901167
aflp and ms-aflp analysis of the variation within saffron crocus (crocus sativus l.) germplasm.the presence and extent of genetic variation in saffron crocus are still debated, as testified by several contradictory articles providing contrasting results about the monomorphism or less of the species. remarkably, phenotypic variations have been frequently observed in the field, such variations are usually unstable and can change from one growing season to another. considering that gene expression can be influenced both by genetic and epigenetic changes, epigenetics could be a plausible caus ...201525885113
cardioprotective effect of saffron extracts against acute doxorubicin toxicity in isolated rabbit hearts submitted to ischemia-reperfusion injury.doxorubicin (dox) is an anthracycline antibiotic routinely used as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of solid tumours. however, dox possesses an acute and cumulative cardiotoxicity due to free radical production. the present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of saffron (crocus sativus) extracts against dox-induced acute cardiotoxicity in isolated rabbit hearts submitted to 30 min global ischemia followed by 40 min reperfusion. dox was delivered during rep ...201525854766
gc-ms-olfactometric characterization of the most aroma-active components in a representative aromatic extract from iranian saffron (crocus sativus l.).aroma and aroma-active compounds of iranian saffron (crocus sativus l.) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry. the saffron aromatic extracts were obtained by four different extraction techniques including solvent-assisted flavour evaporation (safe), liquid-liquid extraction (lle), solid phase extraction (spe), and simultaneous distillation extraction (sde) and compared to achieve a representative aromatic extract from saffron. according to sensory analysis, the aroma ...201525842335
evaluation of antioxidant activities of bioactive compounds and various extracts obtained from saffron (crocus sativus l.): a review.saffron (crocus sativus l. stigma), the most valuable medicinal food product, belongs to the iridaceae family which has been widely used as a coloring and flavoring agent. these properties are basically related to its crocins, picrocrocin and safranal contents which have all demonstrated health promoting properties. the present review article highlights the phytochemical constituents (phenolic and flavonoid compounds, degraded carotenoid compounds crocins and crocetin) that are important in anti ...201525829569
safranal of crocus sativus l. inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase and attenuates asthma in a mouse model of asthma.the present study involves evaluation of antioxidant potential of crocus sativus and its main constituents, safranal (sfn) and crocin (cro), in bronchial epithelial cells, followed antiinflammatory potential of the active constituent safranal, in a murine model of asthma. to investigate the antioxidizing potential of crocus sativus and its main constituents in bronchial epithelial cells, the stress was induced in these cells by a combination of different cytokines that resulted in an increase in ...201525756352
anti-asthma potential of crocin and its effect on mapk signaling pathway in a murine model of allergic airway disease.crocin, a diterpenoid glucoside, has multitudinous activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-allergy, anti-oxidation and relaxing smooth muscles.201525753844
neuropharmacological aspects of crocus sativus l.: a review of preclinical studies and ongoing clinical research.crocus sativus l. (iridaceae) is an important member of the genus crocus having high medicinal value. its dried stigmas, known as "saffron" are being widely used form past many centuries as a food additive, coloring agent, flavoring agent and a potential source of traditional medicine. the stigmas along with other botanical parts of crocus sativus are being extensively used in ethnomedical treatment of varied central nervous system diseases. in line with its ethnomedical importance, several prec ...201525714974
the effect of crocus sativus l. and its constituents on memory: basic studies and clinical applications.memory-related disorders are a common public health issue. memory impairment is frequent in degenerative diseases (such as alzheimer's disease and parkinson disease), cerebral injuries, and schizophrenia. the dried stigma of the plant crocus sativus l. (c. sativus), commonly known as saffron, is used in folk medicine for various purposes. several lines of evidence suggest that c. sativus and its constituents are implicated in cognition. here we critically review advances in research of these eme ...201525713594
effects of sulfur water extraction on anthocyanins properties of tepals in flower of saffron (crocus sativus l).a sulfur solution with different metabisulfite concentrations (100, 400, 700, 1,000 and 2,000 ppm) was used to extract anthocyanins from saffron tepals. the extraction process was compared with acidified ethanol solution at similar extraction times of 20, 40, 60, 120, and 180 min at 40 °c. the recovery of anthocyanins with sulfur solution was higher than ethanol extraction and reached to 700 mg anthocyanins/100 g, when the sulfur concentration and extraction time were 700 ppm and 60 min, respect ...201525694689
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