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An Update Review of Saffron and its Active Constituents
Abstract
This paper reviews the literature on recent research on the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of saffron (Crocus sativus) and its active constituents, mainly as antitumoral, hypolipidemic and tissue oxygenation enhancement agents.
... Saffron, which has been utilized for its medicinal properties since ancient times across various regions of the world (10), comprises several bioactive compounds, including safranal, picrocrocin, and crocin. Among these, crocin serves as the primary antioxidant in saffron and contributes to its distinctive coloration (11). Saffron and crocin have been associated with potential benefits for central nervous system function and psychological well-being by regulating the production of important neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine (5-hydroxytryptamine) (6). ...
Background & Objectives: Drug addiction constitutes a global issue associated with severe personal, economic, social, and health problems. Saffron, an herbal medicine, has demonstrated potential therapeutic applications for mental and physical symptoms. This review assesses the efficacy of saffron crocin in managing the clinical and psychological complications of opioid substance withdrawal syndrome(OWS). Materials & Methods: The research methodology entailed a comprehensive literature review spanning from 2010 to 2023, utilizing databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The search focused on the impact of saffron crocin on clinical and psychological complications of OWS. Human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and animal studies published in English were included for data synthesis. Subsequently, information was collated based on the following parameters: study author, number of studies, dosage, control group, duration, outcome criteria, and primary outcomes. Results: Eight articles were analyzed, demonstrating the efficacy of saffron and crocin in treating OWS by ameliorating withdrawal symptoms and improving laboratory indicators. Conclusion: While several RCTs support the effectiveness of saffron crocin in alleviating OWS symptoms, further rigorous studies are warranted to corroborate these findings.
... Constituent composition of dried saffron stigmas[23] ...
Saffron, the dried stigma of the Crocus sativus L. flower, is a highly valuable spice widely used in the Mediterranean and West and South Asia. The stability and quality of saffron are influenced by factors such as harvest conditions, post-harvest handling, and storage. This review addressed technical information gaps and provided guidelines for optimizing saffron drying to ensure the best quality. It covered diverse drying methods, including hot air-dryer, vacuum oven dryer, electric oven drying, hybrid photovoltaic-thermal dryer, infrared dryer, microwave dryer, refractance-window drying, freeze drying, and fluidized bed dryer, emphasizing their impact on the drying process and final product quality. The review also discussed the theory of saffron dehydration and summarized experimental findings from the past few decades. Additionally, it integrated important aspects of saffron production and processing, such as harvesting and pretreatments like pulsed electric field and cold plasma, highlighting the need to control temperature, humidity, and airflow to preserve saffron’s valuable bioactive compounds and sensory properties. Ultimately, this comprehensive review aimed to inform and guide saffron producers and researchers in selecting and optimizing drying techniques to maintain and enhance the quality of this precious spice.
... Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) is a perpetual plant belong to the Iridaceae family (1) . It is currently being cultivate intensively in India ,Iran, Azerbaijan, Spain, Greece, Italy, Turkey, France, Pakistan, Switzerland, China, Egypt, Japan, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as in Australia (2) .Saffron was used in unorthodox medication as an eupeptic, pain reliever, antispasmodic, anti-catarrhal,nerve sedative, diaphoretic, gingival sedative,carminative, expectorant, emmenagogue, aphrodisiac and stomachic (3) . It is further used in the field of cooking to flavour food in innumerable parts of the world and as an agent for treating a range of diseases (4) . ...
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the invasion and growth expansion of bacteria in a part of the urinary tract system, most of the time (about 80% to 85%) it caused by Escherichia coli. E.coli are one of the most core sources of the disease and infect peoples of all ages. This infection could lead to many difficult issues, including the most attention-grabbing issue which is the increasing of microbial resistance to antibiotics. Nowadays, the increased bacterial resistance to antibiotic has make room to herbal therapies with less side effects supersede the conservative medicines. Consequently, this study focused on the antibacterial effects of methanolic extract of saffron petal against E.coli strains.The method used to evaluate the extract effect is the disc diffusion method. The result showed that the crude extract has a very effective antibacterial activity against the mentioned bacteria causing UTI. More studies should be conducted to verify the safety of the extract, and then it could be considered as an alternative for antibiotics used in UTI treatment.
Background
Saffron has been utilized in numerous studies as an additive to augment egg quality and to enhance the oxidative stability of egg yolk.However, there is limited knowledge on the responses of hens to dietary supplementation with saffron petals on egg chemical composition, fecal mineral excretion, and ammonia emission.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of saffron petal extract‐enriched diet on egg quality, blood metabolites and odorous gas emission from excreta in laying hens.
Methods
The experimental methodology involved a feeding trial conducted over a period of 12 weeks, using 200 Hy‐line W36 laying hens aged 39 weeks. The dietary intervention included a basic diet (serving as a control with no supplementation), as well as diets fortified with 40, 60 or 80 parts per million (ppm) of hydroalcoholic saffron petal extract in a completely randomized design.
Results
Results showed that the inclusion of saffron petal extract in the diet did not significantly affect the egg crude protein, fat and ash content. However, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in yolk cholesterol concentration was observed. No substantial effect was noted on feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and egg weight (p > 0.05). On the other hand, a significant increase (p < 0.05) was documented in the egg production percentage of hens fed on the 80 ppm saffron petal extract diet compared to the control. Furthermore, saffron petal extract supplementation resulted in a significantly lower yolk cholesterol together with reduced serum cholesterol content (p < 0.05). Blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations also demonstrated a decrease subsequent to the inclusion of 80 ppm saffron petal extract. The excretion of faecal minerals did not show any significant alterations due to the dietary interventions (p > 0.05). Notably, hens supplemented with 60 and 80 ppm saffron petal extract displayed significantly diminished concentrations of faecal ammonia (NH3) emissions (p < 0.05) compared to the control.
Conclusion
The study suggests that the inclusion of 80 ppm saffron petal extract in the diet of laying hens may serve as a functional food source to mitigate cholesterol levels in egg yolk and blood serum, as well as to reduce faecal ammonia emissions.
Background
Clinical depression is a serious public health issue that affects 4.7 % of the world's population and can lead to suicide tendencies. Although drug medications are available, only 60 % of the depressed patients respond positively to the treatments, while the rest experience side effects that resulted in the discontinuation of their medication. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing a new anti-depressant with a distinct mode of action and manageable side effects. One of the options is using medicinal plants or plant-based traditional medicine as alternative therapies for psychiatric disorders.
Objectives
Therefore, the objective of this review was twofold; to identify and critically evaluate anti-depressant properties of medicinal plants or those incorporated in traditional medicine; and to discuss their possible mechanism of action as well as challenges and way forward for this alternative treatment approach.
Methods
Relevant research articles were retrieved from various databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, for the period from 2018 to 2020, and the search was updated in September 2024. The inclusion criterion was relevance to antidepressants, while the exclusion criteria included duplicates, lack of full-text availability, and non-English publications.
Results
Through an extensive literature review, more than 40 medicinal plant species with antidepressant effects were identified, some of which are part of traditional medicine. The list of the said plant species included Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F.Macbr., Calculus bovis Sativus, Celastrus paniculatus Willd., Cinnamomum sp., Erythrina velutina Willd., Ficus platyphylla Delile, Garcinia mangostana Linn., Hyptis martiusii Benth, and Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Anti-depressant mechanisms associated with those plants were further characterised based on their modes of action such as anti-oxidation system, anti-inflammation action, modulation of various neurotransmitters, neuroprotective effect, the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and anti-depressant mechanism. The challenges and future outlook of this alternative and complementary medicine are also explored and discussed.
Conclusion
This pool of identified plant species is hoped to offer health care professionals the best possible alternatives of anti-depressants from natural phytocompounds that are efficacious, safe and affordable for applications in future clinical settings.
Objectives
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome manifests through a range of symptoms, including anxiety and anhedonia, significantly affecting the quality of life of those affected. This study investigates the potential therapeutic effects of the methanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaves (MPG) on anxiety and anhedonia in Swiss albino female mice undergoing alcohol withdrawal.
Methods
Four groups of mice underwent alcohol withdrawal, with one group undergoing saline withdrawal as a control. On the test day, behavioral assessments were conducted to evaluate anxiety and anhedonia. Groups I and II received sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Group III received diazepam, and Groups IV and V received varying oral doses of MPG.
Results
The results indicate significant anti-anhedonic and anxiolytic effects of MPG. These effects were observed through changes in parameters measured in the Open Field test, Elevated Plus Maze test, Marble Burying test, and Sucrose Preference test. Mice treated with MPG displayed reduced anxiety-like behaviors and increased sucrose preference compared to untreated mice undergoing alcohol withdrawal.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that Psidium guajava leaf extract may have therapeutic potential in alleviating anxiety and anhedonia associated with alcohol withdrawal. The observed effects indicate that MPG could serve as a promising adjunct therapy for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of individuals undergoing alcohol cessation.
Background: Neurodegeneration has been recognized as the main pathophysiological alteration in the majority of brain-related diseases. Despite contemporary attempts to provide acceptable medicinal therapies, the conclusion has not been much beneficial. Besides, the complex pathophysiological mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) urge the needs for finding novel multi-target agents. Accordingly, saffron with major active constituents and as multi-targeting agents have shown beneficial effects in modulating NDDs with higher efficacy and lower side effects.
Purpose: The present study provides a systematic and comprehensive review of the existing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data on the effectiveness, and signaling pathways of saffron and its key phytochemical components in the management of NDDs. The need to develop novel saffron delivery systems is also considered.
Methods: Studies were identified through systematic and comprehensive searches in Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus databases through April 30, 2024. The whole saffron major constituents (e.g., saffron, crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal) and NDDs (e.g., neuro*, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington*, Parkinson*, Alzheimer*, and brain) were selected as keywords to find related studies. In the systematic analysis, 64 articles were directly included in the current study. Additional reports were added within a comprehensive review.
Results: Saffron and its active metabolites crocin, crocetin, safranal, and picrocrocin have shown acceptable efficacy in managing NDDs like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, and other NDDs via modulating apoptotic (e.g., caspases, Bax/Bcl-2, cytochrome c, and death receptors), inflammatory (e.g., NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2), and oxidative strass (e.g., Nrf2, GSH, GPx, CAT, SOD, MDA, ROS, and nitrite) signaling pathways. The presented in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidences showed us a better future of controlling NDDs with higher efficacy, while decreasing associated side effects with no significant toxicity. Additionally, employing novel delivery systems could increase the efficacy of saffron phytoconstituents to resolve the issues pharmacokinetic limitations.
Conclusion: Saffron and its major constituents employ anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant mechanisms in modulating several dysregulated-signaling pathways in NDDs. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise underlying mechanisms in exploring the feasibility of using saffron active compounds against NDDs. More studies should focus on dose-response relationships, long-term effects, highlighting key mechanisms, and designing more well-controlled clinical trials. Additionally, developing stable and cost-benefit novel delivery systems in future works helps to remove the pharmacokinetic limitations of saffron major constituents.
. Tissue culture has proved to be an efficient alternative for faster
multiplication of quality planting material. Since saffron lacks seed production due to
sterility therefore tissue culture can be a profitable alternative to vegetative propagation.
Adoption of tissue culture route offers an opportunity for availability of quality planting
material to farmers to facilitate cultivation over 12000 ha, and provide additional source
of income to youth for commercial up-scaling.
This technical manual on “Saffron Micro-corm Production” is a step forward towards
dissemination of knowledge on the subject. Saffron Micro-corm Production is an
important area of skill development among youth for entrepreneurship, and would be
useful in creation of livelihood opportunities as well as meeting the demands of disease
free corms
Chloroform and methanol extracts of various herbs and spices as well as food additives were screened for mutagenicity using the Salmonella/microsome assay of Ames and the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA98. The results of this general screening, however, did not provide sufficient information to fully assess the mutagenic potential of certain herbs and spices since the assay of their respective extracts was accompanied by a growth inhibition of the bacterial tester strain. These findings were attributed to the effects of toxic compounds that were presumably contained within the complex mixtures that comprise both herbs and spices. An apparent reduction in the effects of toxicity was observed when separation methods were used as a means to obtain fewer compounds in each of the samples assayed for mutagenicity.
Different methods for the separation of crocetin glycosyl esters from the ethanolic extract of saffron by high-performance liquid chromatography are discussed. After a clean-up by gel filtrationl on Sephadex G-50, best results were obtained with LiChrosorb SI 60 as stationary phase and ethyl acetate-isopropanol-water (56:34:10) as mobile phase.
Bulbs of Crocus sativus, variety Cartwrightianus contain a protein factor with aggregating properties on human platelets. This factor was purified by different chromatographic techniques and shows a molecular weight of 42 000, as it was estimated by Sephadex G-75 column chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis.
The binding of the carotenoid crocetin to human and bovine plasma albumin was studied using absorption and fluorescence techniques. Shifts in the absorption spectrum of crocetin, quenching of the albumin fluorescence, and competitive binding studies all provided information about the binding of crocetin to albumin. These studies suggest that crocetin binds to plasma albumin by occupying the free fatty acid binding sites. The binding constants for the first two binding sites are in the 105−107 M-1 range and are an order of magnitude less than the values reported for other conjugated polyene fatty acids. The importance of this strong plasma albumin binding to the pharmacology of crocetin is discussed.
The sulfite radical anion (SO
3
–) was found to react rapidly with the flavonoid quercetin (k = 2.5 108 dm3mol–1 s–1) and the carotenoids crocin (k = 1.0 109 dm3mol–1 s1–) and crocetin (k = 1.5 109 dm3mol1– s1–). The reactions can easily be monitored due to the strong absorptions of the substrates and, in the case of quercetin, the formation of a strongly absorbing transient species. Using these substances, we determined by means of competition kinetics rate constants of SO
3
– reactions with nucleic acid components, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and glutathione.