Saffron Agronomy and Technology

Saffron Agronomy and Technology

Cardiovascular effects of saffron and its active constituents: A review article

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
B. Marjan Razavi 1
Mohsen Imenshahidi 2
Khalil Abnous 3
Hossein Hosseinzadeh 4
1 - Assistant Professor, Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad
2 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad
3 Associate Professor, Department of Medicinal chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad
4 Professor, Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,
10.22048/jsat.2014.4814
Abstract
(Crocus sativus L.) Commonly known as saffron, is a perennial stem less herb of the iridaceae family, widely cultivated in Iran and other countries. It is used as a flavoring and coloring agent for many thousands of years. In traditional medicine, saffron has been used for various purposes including abortion, as a fever reducer, an analgesic, expectorant, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, sedative, digestive and a carminative. Various pharmacological studies have been described that saffron and its constituents exhibit different beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antiischemic, antigenotoxic, antidote, antiapoptotic, antitussive, antidepressive, sedative and hypnotic, hypolipidemic, antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects. Research projects have also revealed that saffron also exhibits protective effects against cardiovascular diseases including cardiac ischemia, arrhythmia, hypertension and atherosclerosis. In this review article, the effects of saffron and its active constituents on cardiovascular system were introduced.
Keywords
Crocus sativus L
Cardiovascular
Crocin
Crocetin
Saffron
Safranal

Subjects

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