A Review on Potential Pharmacological Uses of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract

Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) of family Asteraceae is a medicinal plant with great potential. Its extract
and oil has many therapeutic uses and having great pharmacological importance. Plant is mainly cultivated for
its seeds, oil and flowers. It is to cure many day to day ailment, and has proved importance as purgative,
analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, menstrual problems, post-partum hemorrhage, osteoporosis, diabetes,
hepatoprotection, cancer, fibrosis and antioxidant. Carthamine, hydroxyl safflower yellow-A, carthamidine,
luteolin are the main phytoactive principles of this plant. This review highlights the pharmacological aspects of
Carthamus tinctorius.

Full text

*Corresponding Author Address: Rashmi Dehariya, Department of Botany, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur, Koni, C.G India
495009
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
ISSN (Print): 2321-3310; ISSN (Online): 2321-3086
Published by Atom and Cell Publishers © All Rights Reserved
Available online at: http://www.wjpsonline.org/
Review Article
A Review on Potential Pharmacological Uses of Carthamus tinctorius L.
Rashmi Dehariya *and Ashwini Kumar Dixit
Department of Botany, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur, Koni, C.G India 495009
Received: 27-06-2015 / Revised: 31-07-2015 / Accepted: 01-08-2015
ABSTRACT
Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) of family Asteraceae is a medicinal plant with great potential. Its extract
and oil has many therapeutic uses and having great pharmacological importance. Plant is mainly cultivated for
its seeds, oil and flowers. It is to cure many day to day ailment, and has proved importance as purgative,
analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, menstrual problems, post-partum hemorrhage, osteoporosis, diabetes,
hepatoprotection, cancer, fibrosis and antioxidant. Carthamine, hydroxyl safflower yellow-A, carthamidine,
luteolin are the main phytoactive principles of this plant. This review highlights the pharmacological aspects of
Carthamus tinctorius.
Keywords- Carthamus tinctorius, Safflower, Pharmacology, future drug.
INTRODUCTION
Carthamus tintorius L. safflower rather false
saffron, belongs to family Asteraceae or
compositae in the order Asterales, native of Egypt.
Safflower planted and cultivated in places with dry
hot climate and moderate rainfall. It is a thistle like
annual, bushy, herbaceous plant with profuse
branching attains height up to 1 meter. Leaves are
stalk less, lanceolate, half-clasping 4 to 10.5
centimeter long, 1 to 2.8 centimeter wide narrow
towards the top, toothed spiny margin and have
numerous spines all around. Flowers are bright
yellow orange or red in color, large and surrounded
by a cluster of leafy bracts which forms involucre 3
centimeter across. The fruits are achenes, obovoid
in shape 4 ribbed deformed and truncate at the top.
Seeds are with and without hair having thick
pericarp. This plant is also suitable for rain
cropping system because its deep tap root system
helps to take water and nutrient from the depth of
the soil.
Cultivated in various parts of the world mainly for
its seeds oil and carthamin dye from flowers.
Flower dye is used as substitute for the saffron. In
China young shoots eaten at the time of scarcity. In
Chhattishgarh, India, its tender leaves has been
used as leafy vegetable. India, United State and
Mexico are the leading producer along with
Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, China, Argentina and
Australia as emerging countries. Vernacular names
of safflower are as follows Arabic: Asfur, Asfoor,
Usfur; Croatian: Bojadisarski Bodalj, Šafranika;
Czech: Azafrán, Světlice Barvířská; Danish:
Farvetidsel, Safflor; Dutch: Carthamusbloem,
Saffloer, Saffloer-Bloem; Finnish: Värisaflori;
French: Carthame Des Teinturiers, Fleur De
Carthame, Graine De Carthame, Safran Bâtard;
German: Färberdistel, Färbersaflor, Falscher
Safran, Saflor; Greek: Knikos; Hindi: Kusum;
Hungarian: Magyar Pirosító, Pórsáfrány, Sáfrányos
Szeklice, Szaflór, Szeklice; Italian: Cartamo, Falso
Zafferano; Japanese: BeniBana; Korean: Hong
Hwa; Persian: Gulrang; Portuguese: Açafrão-
Bastardo, Cártamo, Falso-Açafrão; Russian: Saflor,
Saflor Krasil'nyi; Slovenian: Barvilni Rumenik,
Barvilni Žafran, Žafranika; Slovakian: Požlt
Farbiarska; Spanish: Alazor, Alazor Bastardo,
Azafrán Bastardo, Cártamo; Swedish: Färgtistel,
Safflor; Tamil: Kusumb; Turkish: Safran Yalancı,
Yalancı Safran; Urdu: Gul Rang; Vietnamese:
CâyRum, Hồng Hoa.
Phytochemistry of Carthamus tinctorius
Meselhy et al. 1993, reported quinochalcone C-
glycosides, tinctormine yellow pigments from
Carthamus tictorius and studied calcium
antagonistic activity of tictormine [1]
Triterpene alcohol constituents, Heliaol, α-amyrin,
β-amyrin, lupeol, cycloartenol, 24-
methylenecycloartanol, tirucalla-7,24-dienol and
dammaradienol isolated from the Carthamus

Rashmi and Kumar, World J Pharm Sci 2015; 3(8): 1741-1746
1742
flowers act as anti-inflammatory agents reported by
Akishia et al, 1996[2]. Akisia et al. 1997, recorded
11 novel secondary alkane-1,3-diols from the dried
flower petals of C. tinctorius[3]. Zhang et al. 1997
isolated Seven antioxidative compounds from
safflower oil cake most of which were serotonin
derivatives, N-[2-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-
ferulamide, N-[2-(5-ydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-
p-coumaramide,N-,N-[2,2'-(5,5-dihydroxy-4,4'-bi-
1H-indol-3,3'-yl) diethyl]-di-pcomaramide, N-
[[3'[2-(p-comaramido) ethyl]-5, 5'-dihydroxy-4,4'-
bi-1H-indol-3-yl]ethyl] ferulamide, N,N'-[2,2'-
(5,5'-dihydroxy-4,4'-1H-indol-3,3'yl)diferulamide,
N-[2[5-(beta-D-glucosyloxy)-1H-indol-3-ylethyl]-
p-comatamide and N-[2-[5-(beta-D-lucosyloxy)-
1H-indol-3-yl]-ethyl] ferumaramide[4].
Kim et al. 2000 studied the properties of chemical
composition of Carthamus tinctorius seeds and
reported that crude protein ranged from 14.9% to
17%, total sugar from 3.2% to 9.2% and extractable
lipids from 25% to 40%. Oil content of the seeds is
similar to that of olive and includes linoleic acid
(63%–72%), oleic acid (16%–25%) and linolenic
acid (1%–6%).[5] Serotomide (trans-N-
caffeoylserotonin) and safflomide (trans-N-
caffeoyltryptamine) belonging to serotonin-derived
phenyl propenoid amides modulate forskolin
stimulated cAMP formation via 5-HT1receptor
have been reported by Park, [6]2008 in C.
tinctorius.Lee et al. 2002, while studying anti
oxidative flavonoids of Carthamus leaves isolated
Luteolin and its glucopyranosides[7].The essential
oils from flowers of safflower contains chalcones
including hydroxysafflor yellow A, safflor yellow
A, safflamin C and safflamin A, and safflomin-A
has been reported by Jiang and Wang,
2005[8]Huang et al. 2007 reported Nicotiflorin, a
natural flavonoid extracted from coronal of C.
tinctorius and its protectivesffects on reducing
memory dysfuntion, energy metabolism failure and
oxidative stress in rats [9]. Systematic screening
and characterization of flavonoid glycosides in
Carthamus tinctorius was carried out by Jin et al.
2008 [10]. Zhau and Zhao, 2009 reported some 200
compounds from C. tinctorius and the commonly
known ones are flavonoids, phenylethanoid
glycosides, coumarins, fatty acids, steroids and
polysaccharides[11].A new coumaroyl spermidine
elucidated as N(1),N(5)-(Z)-N(10)-(E)-tri-p-
coumaroyl spermidine with serotonin transporter
inhibition from safflower was identified by Zhao et
al., 2010[12]. Shao et al. 2011, studied daily
variations in essential oil composition of flower of
different accessions from Carthamus flower and
identified Caryophyllene, p-allyl toluene, 1-
acetoxytetralin and heneicosane as the major
constituents [13].
Phytochemistry, pharmacology and medicinal
properties of Carthmus tinctorius was reviewed by
Asgarpanah and Kazemivash, 2013[14].
Pharmacological Properties of Carthamus
tinctorius
Anti-inflammatory activity: A substance with its
property to reduce the swelling is known as anti-
inflammatory substance.Ho-1 is a potent anti-
inflammatory agents. Methanolic extract of
Carthamus tinctorius is proved to induce the
expression of ho-1 via translocation of Nrf -2.
Methanolic extract of Carthamus triggers the
inhibition of nf-kB activity, nf-кB is a transcription
factor for the inflammation [15].Vascular adhesion
molecule is unable to express by the inhibition of
TNF–α in the presence of ethanolic extract of
Carthamus tinctorius whose expression causes
chronic inflammatory disorders.
The methanolic extract of Carthamus tinctorius is
also induces the expression of HO-1 which is an
anti – inflammatory agent via Nrf2 translocation
pathway [16]. Flavones luteolin and its
glucopyranoside luteolin 7-O-beta-D-
glucopyranoside and luteolin-7-O-(6”-O-acetyl)-
beta-D-glucopyranosideare the reported anti-
inflammatory substances from Carthamus
tinctorius [16]. Helianol sterols and alkane-6,8
diols, ψ-taraxasterol and taraxasterol are the anti-
inflammatory substances isolated from the flower
having anti-inflammatory response against 12-O-
Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate- induced
inflammation.
Analgesic properties: Analgesics are commercially
available drugs or group of drug used to achieve
relief from pain, which acts in various ways on
central and peripheral nervous system. Carthamus
flower is reported to be a potent of analgesic
isolated from the seeds of Carthamus tinctorius. In
one such study a dose of 100ul causes a marked
reduction in nociceptive and proprioceptive
activity. Anti-oxidative activity of flower also has
analgesic effect. Serotonin conjugates are also
reported from the flower inhibits the tyrosinase
action and this inhibition in tyrosinase causes
increase in serotonin content and ultimately
serotonin is a common agent use to provide relief
against sciatic pain. Carthamus oil is a rich source
of unsaturated linoleic acid, unsaturated linoleic
acid triggers the inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme.
Proteolytic degradation of tyrosinase is responsible
for the inhibition of monoaminergic
neurotransmitter (a pain signal transmitter).
Carthamus flower can be used in Korean
pharmacopuncture. In another study it was found

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1743
that 50-100 mg/kg dose of carthamus flower
sustained analgesic activity [17].
Antioxidant Activity: Energy is a first requirement
for the survival of all living organism which is
obtained from the food Oxygen is a prerequisite for
the metabolism and for the use of dietary nutrient.
Oxygen mediates many reactions and metabolize
fat, protein, carbohydrates .Oxygen is also a part of
life damaging molecule called free radical. Free
radicals neutralize themselves by capturing other
substances their formation is controlled by
antioxidants. Flavonoids are the phenolic
compounds found in many plants as a major
phytochemical work as an antioxidant.
Antioxidants help in the prevention of diseases like
atherosclerosis, heart disease, Parkinson’s,
ischemic Alzheimer’s, and aging [18,19]. Ethanol
ethyl acetate extract of safflower defatted seeds
reported to have phenolic compounds and serotonin
derivatives which are effective against
atherosclerosis [20]. The serotonin are the unique
phenolic constituent of safflower defatted seeds
[21]. 0.4 % of serotonin derivatives dose results in
a lesion reduction with the inhibition of V 70 and
Cu 2+ induced oxidation this marked inhibition is
due to the presence of derivative N-pcoumaryl
serotonin and N-feruloylserotonine [21]. DPPH
scavenging assay is widely used to determine
antioxidant activity .Carthamus tinctorius shows
scavenging effect on the DPPH and reduction of
ferric [22]. Carthamus tinctorius flowers aqueous
extract shows 99.65% DPPH scavenging activity.
Ferric reduction determined was 1,140umol/g at
50% concentration value [22]. Methanolic and
aqueous extract reported to have phenolic content
2.12 and 1.32g/100g respectively [23]. Phenolic
compound in a plant is associated with its anti-
oxidative activity [24].
Antidiabetic effect: High blood sugar levels over a
prolonged period result in a metabolic disorder
called Diabetes mellitus in this major endocrine
disorder pancreas do not produce sufficient insulin.
Associated common symptoms are frequent
urination, increased thrust, and increased urination.
The process like glycogenolysis, glycogenesis and
gluconeogenesis takes place in a vital organ liver
[25]. It has been reported, after alloxan injection
increase in alanine and aspartate transferase occurs
[26]. The oil obtained from the seeds of Carthamus
tinctorius is rich source of mono and
polyunsaturated fatty acid regulate insulin secretion
response and glucose homeostasis. The higher
activity of enzymes like glutamic pyruvic
transaminase, serum glutamic transaminase and
ALP shows that diabetes associated with the liver
dysfunction. It has been observed that 28 days
doses of Carthamus tinctorius oil recovers the
activities of the above enzymes in the alloxan
induced diabetic rats [26]. Protein breakdown and
glycogenesis process restores after Carthamus
tinctorius flower extract administration. N-P-
coumaryl and N-feruloyl are the active alpha
glucosidase inhibitors isolated from the seeds of C.
tinctorius their IC 50 value were calculated as 47.2
umol/L and 99.8 u mol/L while that of the
reference drug as 907.5 umol/L and 278.0 umol/L
for the drugs ascarbose and 1- deoxy-nojirimycin
respectively [27] With the Carthamus tinctorius
supplementation renal abnormalities like
glycosylated protein tissue levels, heamodynamics
changes within the kidney tissue and increased
oxidative stress, high plasma urea, uric acid and
creatinine level glucose simultaneously glucose
level are also regulated in streptocin induced
diabetic rats.
Increase in the insulin level simultaneously
lowering in the level of cholesterol, LDL-C,
VLDL-C observed in a male wistar rats treated
with Carthamus tinctorius hydroalcoholic extract
[28]. The increase in the size of islets of Langerhan
cell with the Carthamus tintorius administration
also reported [28].
As anticoagulant: Coagulation or clotting is a
process in which blood changes from a liquid to a
gel. It results into hemostasis. Anticoagulants are
the class of drugs that work to prevent the
coagulation of blood. Ischemia –induced damages
occurs in brain followed by thrombotic block.
cerebral ischemia is result of hypercoagulation and
hyper viscosity in blood circulation more prone to
thrombosis [29]. Studies demonstrated the
therapeutic effect of hydroxyl safflor yellow A on
focal cerebral ischemia injury in rats, HYSA dose
dependently improve the neurological defect and
reduced the cerebral infract area HYSA shows its
inhibitory action on ADP-induced platelets
aggregation in a dose dependent manner. With the
maximum inhibitory aggregation rate
41.8%.HYSA suppress the production of TXA2
without significant effect on plasma PGI2. Blood
rheological parameter were improved after HYSA
dose such as whole blood viscosity ,plasma
viscosity, deformability and aggregation of
erythrocyte but no effect on hematocrit was found.
HYSA has a potential to treat cerebral ischemia
and underlying mechanisms might be involved the
inhibitory effects on thrombosis formation and
platelet aggregation [29].
Carthamine yellow (CY) obtained from the
Carthamus tinctorius used for coloring food is also
proved to be effective in hemorological disorders
of blood stasis in rats. CY administration decreases
the whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and

Rashmi and Kumar, World J Pharm Sci 2015; 3(8): 1741-1746
1744
erythrocyte aggregation index in a stasis rat.
Hematocrit and platelet aggregation were reduced
while prothrombin time was delayed after the
administration of CY dose. BY increasing blood
fluidity CY decreases the plasma visosity [31].
Effect on Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a
progressive bone disease characterized by a
decrease in bone mass and density which can lead
to the increased risk of fracture. The disease
classified as primary type -1, primary type 2 or
secondary. Women are commonly suffered from
primary type- 2 disease. Aging, post menopause
calcium loss, general calcium deficiency,
immobilization, lack of nutrition, and
endocrinology changes are the causes of
osteoporosis. Osteoporosis associated with the
estrogen deficiency occurs after the menopause in
women. Estrogen deficiency and calcium
deficiency are the reason behind the genesis of this
diseases [31].
High mineral content such as Ca, K, P are reported
from the methanolic extract of Safflor extract used
in Korea as a folk medicine and these osteoblast
markers increases. In Sprague –Dowley rat after the
administration of methanolic extract of safflower
seed Osteoblast content, bone specific alkaline
phosphatase, insulin like growth factor-I are
reported to increases . Simultaneous enhancement
in the growth parameter like length of tibia and
femur are also observed as well as MESS
cytotoxicity are absent under the experimental
conditions .
Bone resorption is an osteoclast mediated
breakdown of bones. In bone resorption calcium
transfers from bone fluid to the blood due to the
released of minerals mediated by Tyrosine kinase,
cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin. Carthamus
tinctorius called Honghwain (HHI) in Korean
medicine. Synergy between IL-B, TNF-a, IL-6 on
PGE2 production is due to enhanced COX 2
expression HHI is a possible Src family kinase
inhibitor may be useful for the treatment of
diseases associated with bone loss [32]. Safflower
seed contains high linoleic acid helps in its anti-
inflammatory activity by decreasing prostanoid
formation and recover bone loss due to over recto-
my and increasing calcium uptake [31]. Estrogen
deficiency causes bone loss, safflower seeds are the
rich source phytoestrogens shows the protective
effect against the bone loss by estrogen deficiency
without substantial effect on uterus [33].
Hepatoprotective Activity: Many major functions
of human body are associated with liver,
hepatocytes are the specialized tissues regulate
many biochemical functions including regulation of
glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells,
plasma protein synthesis, hormone production and
detoxification produces bile a compound aids in
digestion via emulsification of lipids. Carthamus
red is a reported hepatoprotective compound from
the Carthamus tinctorius effective against liver
damages induced by CCl4 [34]. Trichloromethylene
radical, oxidized macromolecules and lipids
oxidative stress inducer. Carthamus red treatment
lowered serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP and total
protein liver damage in a rat model. It was also
reported to induce the Nrf2, GsTα and NQO1
expression [34]. Safflower seed ethanolic extract
and aqueous extract lowered the plasma cholesterol
and triglycerides contents which are injurious to
hepatocytes. The hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl
glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity were high
and hepatic acyclo-enzyme A cholesterol acetyl
transferase activity were low by the administration
of safflor seeds extract as well as atherogenic risk
factor are also reduces in high cholesterolemic rats.
Dehyroabietylamine is an hepatoprotective
compound isolated from the leaves of Carthamus
tinctorius Carthamus tinctorius induces the P 450
activation, cytochrome free radicles responsible for
the hepatic injuries are hidden in the presence of P
450 [35]. Dichloromethane extract of Carthamus
seeds administration for a week causes decreased
body weight decrease as well as reduction in total
cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol
observed after the dichloromethane extract doss in
a hypercholestromic rats.
Antifibrosis activity: Fibrosis is a state of excess
deposition of fibrous tissues as well as the
connective tissues deposition in a healing process.
Hydroxy safflor yellow A isolated from safflor is
an antioxidative compound reported to have
preventive effect against oxidative stress mediated
injury. Hepatic stress is a result of oxidative stress.
Carthamus tinctorius shows anti-fibrosis activity by
the activation of anti-oxidative enzymes, up
regulation of the expression of PPARy and MMP-2
and by down regulating the activity of TGF-B1 and
TIMP-1and reducing a- SMA level [36].
Anticancer Activity: Increase in a number and
growth of cells is a root of cancer, which is also
invade to other parts of the body. Apoptosis in the
SW 620 cell lines is reported to induced by the
Dichloromethane extract of Carthamus due to its
administration m RNA level of caspases 3,
7,9increases but do not showing its effect against
the proliferation of 3 sub sets of T lymphocytes
[37]. It was reported that TNFα and IL-1β were
increases by the CT extract pulsed with DC
vaccine. Reduced tumor weight were observed
also observed after the administration of DC
vaccine treated with CT Which is 15.3 % more

Rashmi and Kumar, World J Pharm Sci 2015; 3(8): 1741-1746
1745
than the tumor lysate without CT .ex vivo CT
induced population increment of cytotoxic
lymphocytes were also reported[38]Zhu-Xiang a
compound isolated from the herbal extract of
ginseng and Carthamus tinctorius is proved to be a
potent against the MAD-MB-231 breast cancer cell
and in normal memory gland cell lines of human it
induces the apoptosis of cell due to which cell
proliferation is stopped [39]. Two polysaccharides
obtained from the safflower petals stimulated the
synthesis of various cytokines by peritoneal
macrophages. Safflower polysaccharides proved to
be activate the NF-Кβ signaling via toll like
receptor 4[40].
CONCLUSION
Present review reveals that Carthamus tinctorius
seeds and flowers has great pharmacological
importance as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective,
antihyperlipedemic agent. The phytochemical
active principles and their derivatives has a
remarkable pharmacological importance and prove
to be useful in curing many diseases. The tender
leaves of Carthamus tinctorius were consumed as
very popular, nutritive, curative, restorative, vigor
full leafy vegetable in Chhattishgarh, India, Its
leaves were neglected in research which will prove
to have great potential as medicine and alternate to
mal nutrition. Flavonoid derivatives and
Furanocoumarins is a target for inflammatory,
antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiarrheal drugs.
Much research is required to employ this plant as a
new wonderful multipurpose broad spectrum drug.
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