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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Names |
Crocus sativus
Linn. (Iridaceae)
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Saffron |
Kumkuma, Kashmira |
Kesar, Zafran |
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| Habitat |
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| The plant is
a native of south Europe and is cultivated in Spain, France,
Italy, Greece, Turkey, Persia, India and China. Cultivation
in India is mostly confined to the table-land of Pampur (5,300
ft. above sea level) in Kashmir and Kishtwar in Jammu. |
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
The saffron plant is a small bulbous
perennial, cultivated for its large, scented, blue or lavender flowers.
The flowers have a trifid, orange-coloured stigma which along with
the style-tops yield the saffron of commerce.
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| Principal
Constituents |
The glycosides, crocin
and picrocrocin together with lycopene, ß-carotene, g-carotene,
zeaxanthin and a
crystalline hydrocarbon1. The essential oil of saffron
deposits, on standing, stearoptene, probably a tertiary alcohol2.
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| Pharmacology |
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The stigma showed remarkable inhibitory effects on blood coagulation;
it prolonged both PT and PTT and inhibited platelet aggregation
induced by ADP and collagen. It accelerated in vitro fibrinolysis
activity of urokinase and plasmin. A platelet aggregation inhibitor
containing adenosine has been isolated from the stigma. The IC50
values of adenosine against platelet aggregation induced by ADP
and collagen are 7.5 and 0.82 µg/ml, respectively3.
In mice, an extract of C.sativus stigmas partially prevented
the decrease in body weight, hemoglobin levels and leucocyte counts
caused by 2mg/kg of cisplatin i.p. for 5 days. Treatment with C.sativus
extract also significantly prolonged the life span of cisplatin-treated
mice almost three fold4.
Oral administration of 100mg/kg of the saffron extract significantly
inhibited the growth of Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) and S-180
solid tumor by 87 and 41 percent respectively, in mice. A dose of
150mg/kg delayed the onset of tumor formation and inhibited further
growth of Dalton's lymphoma ascites and solid tumor by 80 percent.
Chromium release cytotoxicity assay reflected the sensitivity of
DLA and S-180 tumor cells to cytolysis (in vitro) in the presence
of the extract. Estimation of serum vitamin A and beta-carotene
levels from S-180 tumor bearing mice treated with saffron extract
indicated elevated serum levels of serum vitamin A and beta-carotene.
Chemical analysis of the antitumor compound from saffron extract
indicated that crocin (a natural carotenoid) was responsible for
the observed biological effects. Crocin probably induces the therapeutic
antitumor effect by its provitamin A activity and/or its antioxidant
activity or by modulating the functional levels of other antioxidants5.
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| Toxicology |
Saffron bulbs are
toxic to young animals, and the stigmas in overdoses are narcotic6.
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| Indications |
Saffron is credited with various
medicinal properties. It is used as a nerve sedative and emmenagogue.
It is used in fevers, melancholia and enlargement of the liver. It
also has stimulant and stomachic properties and is considered to be
a remedy for catarrhal affections of children.
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| Product
Range |
Abana (HeartCare),
Geriforte (GeriCare / StressCare), Tentex forte (VigorCare for Men),
Tentex Royal, Geriforte Aqua, Geriforte Vet, Speman forte Vet, Tentex forte Vet.
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| References |
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- Mayer & Cook, 71; Wallis, loc.cit.
- Mayer & Cook, 71; Wallis. loc. cit; U.S.D., loc. cit.,
Winton & Winton, IV, 278.
- Nishio et al, Shoyakugaku Zasshi, 1987, 41, 271; Chem Abstr,
1993, 119, 131174.
- Nair, S.C. et. al., J. Ethnopharmacol., 1991, v.,31,
75-83.
- Nair, S.C. et. al., Int. J. Pharmacog., 1994, v., 32(2),
105-114.
- Chopra & Badhwar, Indian J. agri. Sci.,1940, 10, 40.
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