Crocus sativus L.: A Comprehensive Review

Pharmacognosy Reviews,2010,4,8,200-208.
Published:October 2010
Type:Short Review
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

R. Srivastava, H. Ahmed, R. K. Dixit, Dharamveer, S. A. Saraf

Faculty of Pharmacy, Babu Banarasi Das National Institute of Technology and Management, Dr. Akhilesh Das Nagar, Faizabad Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract:

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 safranal. C. sativus possesses a number of medicinally important activities such as antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antitussive, antigenototoxic and cytotoxic effects, anxiolytic aphrodisiac, antioxidant, antidepressant, antinociceptive , anti-inflammatory and relaxant activity. It also improves memory and learning skills and increases blood flow in retina and choroid. The present review explores the historical background, chemical constituents, pharmacological actions, uses, substitutes and adulterants and toxicity. It also deals with its evaluation, formulations and chemical tests in detail.

Cite This Article

Vancouver Style ::
R. Srivastava, Ahmed, H. , Dixit, R. K. , , , and Saraf, S. A. , Crocus sativus L.: A Comprehensive Review, Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol. 4, no. 8, pp. 200-208, 2010.