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...

Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is now generally perceived to be the dominant operating system in conventional medicine. It is unsurprising then that some have counseled complementary and alternative medicine practitioners to resist EBM . The efficacy of medicinal herbs does need to be established and toxicity, contraindications and side effects also need to be investigated, and this is best done...

Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, is got by Crocus sativus L. stigmas. The production of this substance has attracted human interest, since ancient cultures, for its medicinal and culinary properties. Because of saffron high economic value, sometimes, since Middle Ages, it is adulterated with other vegetal materials, dyes or synthetic molecules. Object of this work was the study o...

BACKGROUND Guaiacol peroxidases (GP) are haem-containing enzymes participating in many physiological processes in plants. The expression pattern of these enzymes is organ-specific and developmentally regulated. METHODS The presence of GP activity in extract samples, prepared from Crocus sativus L. corms that were either dormant or rooting for 3, 6 and 10 days, was investigated. RESULTS Kine...

effect of automobile pollution on the productivity of crocus sativus was studied for one year time period (october 2005-april 2006). the parameters which were analyzed viz total chlorophyll, carotenoids, leaf area, plant height, corm size, corm weight, corm yield, biomass, flower production, and length of stigma and style, showed a remarkable decrease as compared to control. total chlorophyll ,...

the acute and sub-acute toxicity of safranal were studied in rat and mice within 2 and 21 days after exposure, respectively. for subacute toxicity, changes in weight as well as biochemical, hematological and pathological parameters were studied. the intraperitoneal ld50 values of safranal were 1.48 ml/kg in male mice, 1.88 ml/kg in female mice and 1.50 ml/kg in male rats. oral ld50 values were ...