Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus), commonly known as saffron, is used as a food additive, preservative and medicinal herb. It has been considered as an alternative treatment for gastrointestinal diseases. C. sativus’ medicinal effects are associated to its major ingredients including crocin, crocetin and safranal. This study found that the gastrointestinal effects of C. sativus and its major ingre...

Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus), commonly known as saffron, is used as a food additive, preservative and medicinal herb. It has been considered as an alternative treatment for cardiovascular diseases. C. sativus’ medicinal effects are associated to its major ingredients including crocin, crocetin and safranal. This study found that the cardiovascular effects of C. sativus and its major ingredien...

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...

Saffron or Crocus sativus L. (C. sativus) has been widely used as a medicinal plant to promote human health, especially in Asia. The main components of saffron are crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. The median lethal doses (LD50) of C. sativus are 200 mg/ml and 20.7 g/kg in vitro and in animal studies, respectively. Saffron has been suggested to be effective in the treatment of a wide range of d...

BACKGROUND Cadmium (Cd) is known to cause various disorders in the testis. The general population may be exposed to Cd through ingestion of food and drinking water, inhalation of particulates from ambient air, tobacco smoke and ingestion of contaminated soil and dust. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is widely used as a food flavour, and has well known medicinal effects. OBJECTIVES The aim of this...

BACKGROUND Crocus sativus L. (saffron), which belongs to the Iridaceae family, is widely cultivated in Iran. Cardiovascular effects of saffron has been established in some studies but the effects of chronic administration of saffron (C. sativus) stigma aqueous extract on blood pressure has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES In this study the effects of saffron (C. sativus) stigma aqueous extra...

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...

From ancient times, saffron, the flower of the plant Crocus sativus L., is widely used as a traditional medicine to promote health and fight disease. Crocus sativus is cultivated in different parts of the world such as Greece, Spain and, mainly, Iran. In view of its wide range of medicinal uses, saffron has submitted to extensive phytochemical and biochemical studies and a variety of biological...

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...

Anxiety disorders and schizophrenia are common public health issues. The dried stigma of the plant Crocus sativus L., (C. sativus) commonly known as saffron are used in folk medicine for various purposes. Several lines of evidence suggest that C. sativus, crocins and safranal are implicated in anxiety and schizophrenia. Here, I intend to critically review advances in research of these emerging ...