Crocus sativus L. belonging to the family Iridaceae (syn - kesar) comprises the dried red stigma and is widely cultivated in Iran and other countries such as India and Greece. Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds mainly terpenes, terpene alcohol, and their esters. The bitter taste and an iodoform or hay-like fragrance are caused by chemicals picrocrocin and safra...

The effects of aqueous-ethanolic extracts of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae) on muscarinic receptors were examined on tracheal chains of guinea pigs. The effects of three concentrations of aqueous-ethanolic extract, safranal, atropine and saline on muscarinic receptors were tested (n=8). The EC50 (effective concentration of methacoline causing 50% of maximum response) obtained in the presence of atr...

The use of intergenic spacer (IGS) fragments of plant ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for the differentiation between genera and species is tested by cross-hybridization experiments with different IGS probes of two Cucurbitaceae, Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) and Cucumis sativus (cucumber). Hybridization with cloned fragments of different parts of the IGS of ribosomal DNA exhibit a different degree of conserv...

Common root rot caused by Cochliobolus sativus is a serious disease of barley. A simple and reliable method for assessing this disease would enhance our capacity in identifying resistance sources and developing resistant barley cultivars. In searching for such a method, a conidial suspension of C. sativus was dropped onto sterilized elongated subcrown internodes and incubated in sandwich filter...

The aqueous fruit extract of Cucumis sativus L. was screened for free radical scavenging and analgesic activities. The extract was subjected to in vitro antioxidant studies at 250 and 500 μg/ml and analgesic study at the doses 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The free radical scavenging was compared with ascorbic acid, BHA (Butylated hydroxyl anisole), whereas, the analgesic effect was compared...

This work aimed to evaluate the influence of root exudates from cover crops: Raphanus sativus, Avena strigosa and Vicia villosa on germination development Zea mays, Amaranthus spinosus Ipomoea grandifolia. The tests performed were gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, rate, vigor, protrusion dry matter. Aliphatic amino acids (Alanine, Glycine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Proline, Serine, Threonin...

For more than three decades, various in vitro and in vivo studies have linked radishes with diabetes, though this link has not been discussed. This review systematically addresses and summarizes the effect of radishes on diabetes. We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE databases for English language articles from June 1987 through May 2017 using the key words "radish" and "diabetes,...

Saffron, Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus) is rich in carotenoids and used in traditional medicine for treatment of various conditions such as coughs, stomach disorders, amenorrhea, asthma and cardiovascular disorders. These therapeutic effects of the plant are suggested to be due to its relaxant effect on smooth muscles. The effect of C. sativus and its constituents on different smooth muscles an...

A 49-year-old woman presented with an eczematous reaction on her hands that which had appeared 5 days previously. To treat her wrist sprain, she had applied hot compresses with a herbal water decoction of multi-ingredient formulations on her hands for half an hour, and bathed her hands in this decoction for another 20min. After 1 day, her hands became erythematous, with burning and itching (Fig...