The inhibitory effects of aqueous-ethanolic extracts of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), on histamine (H1) receptors was examined on tracheal chains of guinea pigs. The effects of three concentrations of aqueous-ethanolic extract, 10 nM chlorpheniramine, and saline on histamine (H1) receptors were tested on three groups of guinea pig tracheal chains as follows; incubated trachea with: 1) indomethaci...

Depressive disorders are very common in clinical practice, with approximately 11.3 of all adults afflicted during any a year. Saffron is the world's most expensive spice and apart from its traditional value as a food additive, recent studies indicate several therapeutic effects for saffron. It is used for depression in Persian traditional medicine. Our objective was to compare the efficacy of h...

Crocetin is an aglycon of carotenoid extracted by saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus L.) and known to have a potent anti-oxidative effect. Amyliod β (Aβ), hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, is reported to have neurotoxicity partly via oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of crocetin on hippocampal HT22 cell death induced by Aβ1-42. Furthermore, to clarify the mechanism underly...

The identification and quality evaluation of Flos carthami were studied using tunable liquid spectral imaging instrument, to discuss the application range and advantages of spectral imaging technology in Chinese medicine identification and quality control field. The Flos carthami was indentified by extracting the normalized characteristic spectral curves of Flos carthami, Crocus sativus and Den...

This work focused on determining the micronutrient status of Crocus sativus L.stigmas with studying different correlations between physical-chemical compounds (moisture, minerals, ash, total phenolic content, carotenoids, zeaxanthin, vitamins and antioxidant activity). The mineral composition (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Mo B) was analyzed by ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical ...

Saffron is a spice obtained from the dried stigmas of the purple-flowered saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.). The determination of the water content in saffron is very important in order to establish its microbiological stability and consequently to determine the commercial value. The average moisture content in dried saffron powder ranges between 10-12% causing a slow degradation of the produc...