Title:Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Drugs from saffron crocus
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Author(s): Anna Poma, Gabriella Fontecchio, Giuseppe Carlucci and Giuseppe Chichiricco
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Crocetin, crocetin esters, DNA damages, inflammation, reactive oxygen species and saffron, chromosomal DNA, anti-DNA autoantibodies, Antioxidants, saffron pigments, atherosclerosis, liquid chromatography, Phytochemistry, toxicity, secondary metabolites, crocin
Abstract: The medicinal uses of saffron (Crocus sativus Linnaeus) have a long history beginning in Asian countries since
the Late Bronze Age. Recent studies have validated its potential to lower the risk of several diseases. Some metabolites
derived from saffron stigmas exert numerous therapeutic effects due to hypolipidemic, antitussive, antioxidant, antidiabetic
activities and many others. Water and ethanol extracts of Crocus sativus L. are cardioprotective and counteract neurodegenerative
disorders. Many of these medicinal properties of saffron can be attributed to a number of its compounds
such as crocetin, crocins and other substances having strong antioxidant and radical scavenger properties against a variety
of radical oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Botany, worldwide spreading of cultivars, biochemical pathways,
active constituents and chemical detection methods are reviewed. Therapeutic uses of saffron principles with particular
regard to those exhibiting antioxidant and thus anti-inflammatory features are discussed. To date, very few adverse
health effects of saffron have been demonstrated. At high doses (more than 5 g/die day), it should be avoided in pregnancy
owing to its uterine stimulation activity.
