To study the mechanism(s) of the relaxant effects of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), the stimulatory effect of aqueous-ethanolic extracts of this plant and one of its constituent, safranal was examined on beta-adrenoceptors in tracheal chains of guinea pigs. The beta(2)-adrenergic stimulatory was tested by performing the cumulative concentration-response curves of isoprenaline-induced relaxation of...

Crocus sativus is the source of saffron spice, the processed stigma which accumulates glucosylated apocarotenoids known as crocins. Crocins are found in the stigmas of other Crocuses, determining the colourations observed from pale yellow to dark red. By contrast, tepals in Crocus species display a wider diversity of colours which range from purple, blue, yellow to white. In this study, we inve...

Crocus sativus stigmas are one of the widely known spices (saffron) and consist of unusually polar carotenoids. Alzheimer's disease is characterized pathologically by deposition of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) fibrils. Oxidation is thought to promote Abeta fibril formation and deposition. To identify agents inhibiting the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, we examined in vitro the antioxidant...

objective(s): quinolinic acid (qa)-mediated excitotoxicity has been widely used as a model for studying neurodegenerative disorders. recent studies suggested that saffron (crocus sativus) or its active metabolite, i.e. safranal, exerts pharmacological actions on central nervous system including anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective properties. the present study aimed to investigate th...

objective(s) anti-helicobacter pylori effects of saffron (crocus sativus l., iridacea) and its major constituents, crocin and safranal, were evaluated. materials and methods macerated aqueous and methanol extracts tested against 45 clinical isolates of helicobacter pylori, using paper disc diffusion method (ddm) on modified egg yolk emulsion agar (eye agar). four antibiotics also tested against...

objective: inflammation is one of the major components of asthma. our aim was to evaluate the effects of c. sativus extract on total and differential white blood cells (wbc) count in lung lavage fluid (llf) of ovalbumin-sensitized rats. materials and methods: forty rats were divided into five groups (n = 8 for each group) as control (c), sensitized with injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (oa...