Research progress on chemical constituents of Crocus sativus and their pharmacological activities
10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2014.20.026
- Author:
Ping WANG
1
Author Information
1. Key Laboratory of Green Pharmaceutical Technology and Equipment, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Anthraquinones;
Crocus sativus L.;
Flavonoids;
Neurodegenerative disease;
Terpenes
- From:
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs
2014;45(20):3015-3028
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Crocus sativus (saffron), widely used in food industry as coloring or flavoring agent, is widely cultivated in Iran and other countries, such as Greece, Italy, Spain, India, China, and Japan. But modern pharmacological studies have shown its potential to promote health. In this paper, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of saffron are systematically reviewed. More than 100 compounds were isolated from saffron, primarily including terpenes, flavonoids, anthraquinones and so on. Pharmacological references showed that it had the treatment effects on diseases, such as mental disorder, neurodegenerative disease, learning and memory dysfunctions, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, ulcer, fatty liver, epilepsy, and convulsions. This review provides a reference for the further research and development of saffron.
