Pharmacological Applications of Saffron (Crocus sativus): A Review

Introduction

Crocus sativus L. is a stemless perennial herb belonging to the family Iridaceae. The word saffron was derived from the Latin word safranum that means “yellow. It is the native Mediterranean to western China, although cultivated in many countries such as Turkey, Morocco, Iran, Italy, Spain, Greece, Israel, Azerbaijan, Egypt, China, India and Mexico. It is commonly known as Red Gold in producer countries as it is the most expensive spice for its characteristic aroma, color and aphrodisiac properties. The botanical name of saffron is Crocus sativus L and in Hindi, it is called Keshar.

Saffron are dried red stigma (25-30 mm long) of the colored flower of C. sativus L. The flower of C. sativa is light purple containing three stigmas. For Centuries, it has been used in food for its bright orange-yellow color and intense flavor and aroma. Crocetin and crocin are the degraded carotenoids responsible for the yellow color and the sweet fragrance of saffron is due to the presence of a specific essential oil in the flower. In folklore medicine, it has been useful in treating many digestive disorders, as a nerve sedative with anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, eupeptic, and expectorant properties (Rıos et al., 1996).

The stigmas of the saffron flower contain a number of chemical substances, including carbohydrates, minerals, musilage, vitamins B1 & B2, pigments, and carotenoids. In addition, it contains small amounts of the pigment anthocyanin; oil-soluble pigments including alpha-carotene, betacarotene and zegxantin. A phytochemical investigation of Saffron has been an isolated variety of biologically active constituents, including crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which is responsible for its distinct color, aroma, and medicinal properties. Safranal is the major principle of active compounds constituting around 70% of total essential oil. . Saffron contained more than 150 volatile and several nonvolatile compounds and approximately 40–50 constituents have been detected thus far (Bolhasani et al., 2005; Caballero-Ortega et al., 2007). This review article aims to summarize the pharmacological/biological activities of saffron and its bioactive constituents with possible therapeutic applications.