Saffron (stigmata of Crocus sativus L.) has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia.

Throughout history, uses against cancer and depressive mood can regularly be identified.

These applications have also been in the focus of modern research.

Promising and selective anti-cancer effects have been observed in vitro and in vivo, but not yet in clinical trials.

Antidepressant effects were found in vivo and in clinical pilot studies.

Saffron extracts thus have the potential to make a major contribution to rational phytotherapy.

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Saffron in Phytotherapy: Pharmacology and Clinical Uses

The post Saffron in Phytotherapy: Pharmacology and Clinical Uses appeared first on Krokos Kozanis.

Abstract

The known properties of saffron (Crocus sativus, L.) and its components have been examined.

Recently, hormone like effects in green algae and the anti-cancerogenic and anti-toxic effects, have been observed. In particular, the effects of crocetin, a carotenoids (8,8′-diapo-8,8′-carotenoic acid) present in saffron and characterized by a diterpenic and symmetrical structure with seven double bonds and four methyl groups, have been taken into consideration.

It has been found that this compound enhances the oxygen diffusivity through liquids, such as plasma.

As a consequence of this property, it has been observed that crocetin increases alveolar oxygen transport and enhances pulmonary oxygenation.

It improves cerebral oxygenation in hemorrhaged rats and positively acts in the atherosclerosis and arthritis treatment.

It inhibits skin tumor promotion in mice (i.e., with benzo(a)pyrene); it has an inhibitory effect on intracellular nucleic acid and protein synthesis in malignant cells, as well as on protein-kinase-C and prorooncogene in INNIH/3T3 cells.

This is most likely due to its anti-oxidant activity.

Furthermore, crocetin protects against oxidative damage in rat primary hepatocytes.

It also suppresses aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxic lesions and has a modulatory effect on aflatoxin, B1 cytotoxicity, and DNA adduct formation on C3H10/T1/2 fibroblast cells.

It also has a protective effect on the bladder toxicity, induced by cyclophosphamide.

The experiments reported in the scientific literature and the interesting results obtained have been carried out in vitro or on laboratory animals, but not yet on man.

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Crocetin From Saffron: An Active Component of an Ancient Spice

The post Crocetin An Active Component appeared first on Krokos Kozanis.

Abstract

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 characterized by MS due to a lack of commercial standards.

The method showed a good fit (r2 > 0.999) for all analytes with limit of quantitation values in the range of 1-15 µg/mL, and demonstrated adequate intra- and inter-precision (< 15 % RSD) and accuracy (< 7 % RE).

The method was applied to the analysis of various commercial saffron samples and of indigenous Crocus taxa and allowed for the first time the absolute quantitation of several Crocus components.

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Quantitation of Crocins and Picrocrocin in Saffron by HPLC: Application to Quality Control and Phytochemical Differentiation From Other Crocus Taxa

The post Phytochemical Differentiation appeared first on Krokos Kozanis.

Abstract

In current review is described in short the findings indicating that Crocus sativus exerts antithrombotic and antiatherosclerosis effect.

Summarily, these findings include the documented antioxidant activity of C. sativus on LDL oxidation leading to the initiation of atherosclerosis, its inhibitory effect on the expression of cell adhesion molecules and the adhesion of leucocytes to endothelial cells.

Additionally, C. sativus contributes in the inhibition of platelet aggregation, inhibiting coagulation factor Xa and COX-1 (in vitro and in silico studies). All these activities contribute to the inhibition of the progression of atherosclerosis.

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The Effect of Saffron (Crocus sativus) Carotenoids on Hemostasis and Atherosclerosis

The post Hemostasis and Atherosclerosis appeared first on Krokos Kozanis.