PHYTOCONSTITUENTS, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND TRADITIONAL USES OF CROCUS SATIVUS Linn.: An UPDATED REVIEW

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah 11172, United Arab Emirates

2 Department of General Education, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah 11172, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Crocus sativus Linn., (family- Iridaceae) commonly known as saffron (Kesar), is grown widely in tropical and subtropical regions and is used both in the home and for medicine. Various chemical constituents present in the stigma of Crocus sativus, including crocetin (14), crocin (15), safranal (16) and picrocrocin (17) which are very important volatile and aromatic compounds. The presence of these constituents makes the herb very costly and imparts different medicinal properties to it. Since prehistoric times, saffron is used as a traditional/ herbal medicine in Asian countries. It is reported that Crocus sativus L. has antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antigenotoxic, antiproliferative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antinociceptive, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and relaxant effects. In this review, a comprehensive detail of the salient features, chemical constituents, and therapeutic uses of C. sativus L. has been highlighted.

Keywords