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Saffron (Crocus sativus L., family Iridaceae) is used traditionally for medicinal purpose in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Persian and Unani medicines. The bioactive constituents such as apocarotenoids, monoterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and phytosterols are widely investigated in experimental and clinical studies for a wide range of therapeutic effects, especially on the nervous system. Some of the active constituents of saffron have high bioavailability and bioaccessibility and ability to pass the blood-brain barrier. Multiple preclinical and clinical studies have supported neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, learning and memory-enhancing effect of saffron and its bioactive constituents (safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin). Thus, this plant and its active compounds could be a beneficial medicinal food ingredient in the formation of drugs targeting nervous system disorders. This review focuses on phytochemistry, bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity of phytochemicals in saffron. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of saffron against different nervous system disorders has also been discussed in detail.

Cancer is considered one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many chemopreventive agents have been associated with antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on cancer cells because of their high antioxidant activity. The current study was aimed to evaluate the anti-tumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Saffron aqueous extract and its active components against Ehrlich Ascites tumor (EAC). A total of 120 female mice were randomly divided into eight groups. The antitumor effect was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, tumor cell count , survival time and increase in life span of EAC bearing mice. The effect of Crocus Sativus .L ( saffron ) aqueous extract , Crocin and Safranal on different parameters (liver enzymes , kidney function , cardiac markers and antioxidant parameters). These results indicated that Saffron , Crocin and Safranal is a promising protective agents against EAC cells. . Crocus Sativus L ( saffron ) aqueous extract (100mg/kg), Crocin(10 mg/kg) and Safranal(1/10 LD50) (0.188 ml/kg) showed significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) in the volume of the EAC and in the count of EAC cells and increase the life span of EAC bearing mice. Also, showed significantly increased in antioxidant levels, decreased the lipid peroxidation( oxidative stress) as compared to positive control group . We found that The treatment of Crocus Sativus . L ( saffron ) aqueous extract , Crocin and Safranal significantly reduced the liver enzymes, cardiac markers and reduced elevated levels of Urea, Uric acid and Creatinine in positive control as compared with negative control and also increase the level of albumin as compared with positive control group . our data was confirmed by histopathological examination.

In the present research the electronic tongue system was proposed consisted of an array of 4 voltammetric sensors to discriminate saffron samples based on the safranal concentration. Different samples were provided by blending saffron samples with distilled water and pure safranal with ethanol. The provided signals by the electronic tongue system were analyzed using the PCA and ANN methods. The total variance among safranal concentrations by PCA method were 90% and 100% in pure safranal and saffron samples, respectively. Also, it was revealed that the electronic tongue could provide good prediction for safranal concentration in saffron as 98.81% accuracy by means of optimized ANN model. Results showed that there are some relationships between HPLC and electronic tongue signals to determine safranal concentration levels in different saffron samples.

LLKL, a new traditional Chinese medicine formula containing Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn., Sibiraea angustata and Crocus sativus L. (saffron), was designed to ameliorate type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite the therapeutic benefits of LLKL, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study evaluated the LLKL anti‐diabetic efficacy and its effect on gut microbiota to elucidate its mechanism of action in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. We found that administration of different LLKL concentrations (4.68, 2.34 and 1.17 g/kg/d) improved several diabetic parameters after a 6‐week treatment. Moreover, LLKL modulated gut microbiota dysbiosis, increased the expression of occluding and maintained intestinal epithelial homeostasis, leading to a reduction in LPS, TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels. Hepatic transcriptomic analysis showed that the Toll‐like receptor signalling pathway was markedly enriched by LLKL treatment. RT‐qPCR results validated that LLKL treatment decreased the expressions of TLR4, MyD88 and CTSK. Furthermore, a gene set enrichment analysis indicated that LLKL enhanced the insulin signalling pathway and inhibited glycerolipid metabolism and fatty acid metabolism, which were verified by the liver biochemical analysis. These findings demonstrate that LLKL ameliorates hyperglycaemia, modulates the gut microbiota and regulates the gut‐liver axis, which might contribute to its anti‐diabetic effect.

In this study, the response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite face-centered design (CCD) was used to optimize the extraction of bioactive constituents from Crocus sativus corms. The ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was compared with the conventional direct solvent extraction (DSE) procedure. The optimum conditions of ethanol (80%), 48 °C and 60 min in DSE, and ethanol (80%), 37 °C, 45 min, and 37 kHz in UAE, were determined to receive extracts with maximum antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC). The results showed TPC values of 89.28 and 100.39 (mg gallic acid equivalents in 100 g dry saffron corm) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of 0.912 and 1.558 (mg quercetin equivalents in100 g dried saffron corm) for the optimized DSE and UAE extracts, respectively. The GC-MS analysis showed n-hexadecanoic acid as one of the main non-polar constituents in the saffron corm extract (39.315% and 19.015% in DSE and UAE extracts, respectively). The disc diffusion tests revealed a degree of activity of saffron corm extracts against Staphylococcus aureus at a minimum concentration of 300 mg/mL.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) byproducts are considered as a cheap source of bioactive polyphenolics endowed with potential antioxidant effects. The saffron biowaste is utilized for extraction of flavonoid glycosides and their potential biological properties. The total amount of polyphenolics and polysaccharides was found to be higher in the tepal than in the stamen. The bioactive compounds quercetin-3-O-sophoroside (Q-3-sop) and kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside (K-3-sop) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The antioxidant effects were studied using 2,2 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC); Q-3-sop showed stronger antioxidant effects compared to K-3-sop, crocin-I, and crocin-II. Furthermore, Q-3-sop also inhibited cell apoptosis caused by H2O2 by reducing the levels of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In terms of cytogenetic effects, Q-3-sop revealed no cytogenic effects on onion root meristem cells but chromosomal aberration was observed at the highest dose (200 ppm). Thus, saffron byproducts and its flavonoids could be utilized as natural antioxidant agents with no cytogenetic effects.

Water scarcity is one of the main factors limiting crop production worldwide. The study on response of saffron to irrigation regime showed that one-time irrigation at field capacity of 100% resulted in the greatest number and weight of flower, and dry stigma yield, but weekly irrigation regime at the same conditions prevented flowering process. One-time irrigation regime reduced water potential (Ψw) of plants, while the contents of chlorophylls, carotenoid, anthocyanin, carbohydrates, phenol, amino acid, proline, H2O2, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the one-time irrigated plants were higher than in the weekly irrigated plants. The nitric oxide (NO) donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), significantly increased photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic pigments, metabolites, and antioxidants in both irrigation regimes, with the highest content in the one-time irrigated plants. The SNP treatment increased the flower yield in the one-time irrigated plants, but it could not induce flowering in the weekly irrigated plants. Collectively, these results demonstrated the importance of irrigation regime in flower induction in saffron. Even though the exogenous SNP improved the performance of saffron, it could not overcome the importance of irrigation frequency regime on flowering process. Overall, the SNP application accompanied with the one-time irrigation regime provided higher flower yield and improved the physiological performance of saffron plant.

Natural products are important resources for drug discovery and have marvelous roles in the treatment of various diseases, such as malaria, cancers, and viral infections. Crocins are the colored apocarotenoids derived from the stigmas of Crocus sativus and often used as a spice/colorant in the food industry. Pharmacologically, crocins confer protection to the central nervous system (especially in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease) and prevent cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. Unfortunately, the demand for crocins based on their pharmacological benefits combined with a complex harvesting process of C. sativus has driven the retail price of C. sativus stigmas up to 2000–7000 €/kg. Thus, their expense and limited supply greatly restrict the development and clinical application of crocin-based pharmaceuticals. It is therefore urgent to develop an alternative, sustainable way to bolster the supply of crocins. In recent years, synthetic biology has been widely used to overcome shortages of plant-based natural products, including artemisinic acid, etoposide aglycone, opioids, cannabinoids, breviscapine, and ginsenosides. As such, the genetic tools required for crocin biosynthesis have attracted a great deal of attention. The crocin biosynthetic pathway includes three stages: Stage (I), the precursor geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) is generated by the methylerythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) biosynthetic pathway; stage (II), C40-carotenoids are produced via the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway; stage (III), crocins are synthesized by three key catalytic steps, namely, carotenoid cleavage, aldehyde oxidation, and glucosyl group transfer. A series of studies have successfully decoded the crocin biosynthetic pathway and led to its reconstitution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli . Hereby, we summarized the chemical characterization of crocins using spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and elucidated stage (III) of the crocin biosynthetic pathway. Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) degrade carotenoids. CsCCD2, CaCCD2 ( Crocus ancyrensis ), BdCCD4.1 ( Buddleja davidii ), BdCCD4.3 and GjCCD4a ( Gardenia jasminoides ) can cleave the 7,8 (7′,8′) double bond of zeaxanthin to yield crocetin dialdehyde. Subsequently, crocetin dialdehyde was oxidized to crocetin by the catalysis of aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), including CsALDH54788, CsALDH3898, CsALDH20158, CsALDH11367, CsALDH3I1, CsALDH3, and GjALDH2C3. Finally, the biosynthesis of crocins from crocetin was catalyzed by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), including CsUGT74AD1, GjUGT74F8, GjUGT75L6, GjUGT94E5, GjUGT94E13, Bs-GT ( Bacillus subtilis 168), and Bc-GTA ( Bacillus cereus WQ9-2). And then, we displayed the research progress on the synthetic biology of crocins. With the rapid updating of genetic tools, we have the potential to generate more types of crocins. The in vivo production of crocins is highlighted in this review. The engineered E. coli with GjUGT74F8 and GjUGT94E13 can catalyze crocetin into five types of crocins. Furthermore, we put forward some suggestions that might help to improve the bioproduction of crocins, such as the exploration of evolutionary mechanisms of the key enzymes and the optimization of reaction conditions, etc. Taken together, this review will facilitate the industrial production of crocins and the development of crocin-based pharmaceuticals, providing a theoretical basis and method guidance for the sustainable development of crocin-based traditional Chinese medicine.

نانوذرات سیلیکون دارای ویژگی های فیزیکوشیمیایی متمایزی هستند که از طریق ورود به گیاهان بر متابولیسم گیاه تاثیرگذاشته و موجب بهبود رشد و عملکرد گیاه در شرایط محیطی نامطلوب می‌شوند. این تحقیق به منظور بررسی اثرات فیزیولوژیک نانوسیلیکون بر روی بنه زعفران انجام شد. گیاهان با نانو ذره سیلیکون در دو غلظت 9 و 18 میلی گرم بر لیتر تیمار و مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفتند. آزمایش به صورت طرح کاملا تصادفی با سه بار تکرار انجام شد. نتایج نشان داد که تیمار با نانوسیلیکون محتوای عناصری از جمله سیلیکون، پتاسیم، آهن، روی، منیزیم و کلسیم را افزایش داد. اما تفاوت معنی داری بر وزن تر و خشک و همچنین محتوای پروتئین مشاهده نشد ولی تعداد بنه های دختری در گیاهان تحت تیمار نسبت به شاهد افزایش یافت. همچنین محتوای پرولین و مالون دی آلدئید به طور معنی داری در بنه‌های زعفران تحت تیمار افزایش یافت. بیشترین میزان فنل و فلاونوئید، به ترتیب در گیاهان تیمار شده با غلظت های 9 و 18 میلی گرم بر لیتر نانوسیلیکون مشاهده شد. بر اساس نتایج به دست آمده می توان نتیجه گرفت تیمار با نانو ذرات سیلیکون می تواند محتوای تغذیه ای بنه زعفران و ظرفیت سیستم پاداکسایشی را از طریق تولید متابولیت های ثانوی افزایش دهد.

Harvesting of flowers of Crocus sativus L. at optimum time is a very crucial step in the agribusiness of the species. Therefore, the flower phenology with respect to temperature and light intensity needs to be understood properly. In this regard, a strong correlation between atmospheric temperature and floral phenology whereas no linear correlation between floral phenology and light intensity are worked out. Further, morning hours between 0400 and 0600 h during flowering period are attributed as the optimum time for harvesting the maximum yield of the species.

The stigma of Crocus sativus is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has drawn attention as a rich source of crocin, a compound with a reported activity that counters various cancers, depression, and cardiovascular diseases. However, our knowledge of crocin biosynthesis in Crocus is still limited. To identify the genes that encode key enzymes responsible for crocin production, transcriptome analyses of Crocus stigma, petal, and stamen were performed. There were 109 136 unigenes in the three Crocus flower tissues: 10 862 unigenes were expressed explicitly in stigmas. A total of 469 and 335 down-regulated differentially expressed genes in comparison to stigmas were detected in stamens and petals, respectively. There were 290 down-regulated genes in both tissues. The gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that most genes in the two tissues served a similar function. The results of the differences of gene expression among the three tissues showed that most of the carotenoid pathway genes in stigmas had a high expression which was a benefit for producing zeaxanthin, a substrate of crocin. Fourteen candidate genes were identified in Crocus from the co-down-regulated genes, and the genes were expressed explicitly in stigmas and were predicted to be involved in crocin biosynthesis. Overall, the expressions of genes in the crocin biosynthesis pathway in the three Crocus flower tissues had a positive relationship with their crocin content, and some new candidate genes related to crocin biosynthesis were identified. The results can help elucidate the crocin biosynthesis pathway in Crocus.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L) is a plant with high economical and medicinal value. Тhe dried and dark-red stigmas of flowers of Crocus sativus L., is the most expensive spice in the world. Saffron is used mainly as a spice for flavouring and coloring of food, but also numerous pharmacological studies have indicated its therapeutic potential including antioxidant, anticancer, antiischemic, hypolipidemic, antitussive, antidepressive, sedative and antiinflammatory effects. Saffron contains more than 150 volatiles and aroma-yielding compounds, and many non-volatile active components (such as: zeaxanthin, lycopene, and various α- and β-carotenes). Three main pharmacologically active metabolites: crocins; picrocrocin and safranal are responsible for the colour, taste and aroma of saffron. The quantities of secondary metabolites are influenced by many factors. Agronomic and environmental factors can affect the morphological and anatomical features of the plants as well as quantity of secondary metabolites. However, the most considerable influence on chemical composition of saffron has a post-harvest processing. The dehydration treatment necessary to convert Crocus sativus L. stigmas into saffron spice is one of the most important factors. Different treatments used for draying stigma have different impact on secondary metabolite contents, and they determine stability, quality, and economical value of the saffron.

The potential health benefits of Safforn (Crocus sativus), Ginger (zingiber officinale) andCumin (Cuminumcyminum ) powder as functional food supplement to improve iron absorption as well as to treat anemia associated with deficiency in iron intake were evaluated in rats. Four experimental groups were fed on diet supplemented with 5% of tested herbs and 1%iron gluconate for 4 week versus the control rats group fed on basal diet free in iron as positive control group and the group fed on basal diet as negative control.At the end of the experiment, rat groups fed herbs supplemented diets were characterized by the level of serum iron, measured levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin. Liver functions was assessed by estimation of plasma concentration of enzymes activities of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), uric acid, creatinine, MDA level, GSH and GSSG activity.Results showed significant increasing in the level of serum iron, in addition, there were variable increases in the measured levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin in herbs fed groups as compared with the positive control group. In addition, there was an improvement in case of tested herbs at the level of 5% for the above parameters as compared to positive control group. These data suggested that saffron followed by ginger, herbs mixtures andcumin powder could improve tested parameters and iron bioavailability when incorporated in daily diets and therefore, could be considered as a very effective food supplement to prevent and treat anemia.

Summary Aim This study aimed to investigate effects of acute dose of saffron (SAF) on anaerobic performance in young active males. Methods Twelve male sport students (mean ± SD: age = 21.0 ± 1.41 years) participated in this randomized controlled, double-blind study. Participants completed two experimental trials with one week washout period. In each session, the participant was randomly allocated to receive either a capsule of saffron (SAF session) or a capsule of lactose (PLB session) two hours before performing a 30 sec Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). Peak power output, mean power output and fatigue index were measured during the WAnT trial. Results Peak power output (10.4 ± 1.43 vs. 9.99 ± 1.48 w/kg, P = 0.05, ES = 0.30), mean power output (4.60 ± 1.28 vs. 4.06 ± 1.11 w/kg, P = 0.002, ES = 0.47) were significantly higher during the SAF session compared to the PLB session, while fatigue index (51.9 ± 7.09 vs. 52.8 ± 7.43%, P = 0.039, ES = 0.13) was significantly lower in the SAF session. Conclusion Acute SAF ingestion resulted in significant improvements in WAnT indices. These data suggest that acute SAF intake could be effective to improve anaerobic power. Further research is needed to enlighten mechanisms of potential SAF ergogenic effect.

The quality of commercial saffron largely depends on apocarotenoid levels. Whether they are affected by different flower cultivation regimes remains unknown. In present study, apocarotenoid levels and the expression profiles of 12 genes related to apocarotenoid biosynthesis between field- and indoor-cultivated Crocus sativus L. were analyzed during stigma development. Under both cultivation regimes, apocarotenoid accumulation and gene expression showed similar profiles, first sharply increasing and then gradually decreasing with stigma development, which suggested the coordinated function of gene expression and apocarotenoid accumulation. However, the rate of increase/decrease varied widely between two blossom regimes at different developmental stages. Based on correlation analysis, βCH1 and ZDS seemed to play a more crucial role in apocarotenoid accumulation under both cultivation regimes. At anthesis, the total apocarotenoid level in saffron cultivated in the field was higher than that cultivated indoors. This may be due to lower gene expression levels in the apocarotenoid pathway, especially βCH1, ZDS, and CCD2, and higher CCD4a and NCED expression in the competitive pathway in saffron cultivated indoors than that in the field, which indicated higher conversion in apocarotenoid biosynthesis flux from crocins and picrocrocin synthesis to β-ionone and the ABA biosynthetic branch in saffron cultivated indoors. These results provide valuable information for modifying planting mode to enhance saffron quality.

AIM: To evaluate the antimicrobial potential of Juglomycins isolated from Streptomyces achromogenes E91CS4, an endophyte of Crocus sativus Linn. METHODS AND RESULTS: The extract from E91CS4 displayed significant antimicrobial activity against several pathogens. The endophyte was identified as S. achromogenes on by 16S ribosomal gene analysis. Chemical investigation of the extract led to the isolation of two naphthoquinone antibiotics, Juglomycin A and B. Juglomycin A inhibited several pathogens, with an MIC value of 13·7µg ml⁻¹, whereas it was most potent against Escherichia coli, Bacillus thuringiensis and Xanthobacter flavus with MIC values of 6·8, 3·4 and 6·8 µg ml⁻¹ respectively. It was found to reduce the biofilm formation in E. coli through inhibition of swimming and swarming motilities and downregulation of fimH gene. The α‐haemolysin‐related gene (hlyA) was also downregulated indicating that the compound is also reducing the virulence in E. coli. In vitro time kill kinetics showed efficient bactericidal activity of this compound. Furthermore, Juglomycin A inhibited bacterial transcription/translation in vitro, while also inducing postantibiotic effect in E. coli. CONCLUSIONS: Juglomycin A is a potential antimicrobial compound against several bacterial pathogens, particularly, E. coli. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study showed the promising potential of Juglomycin A as an antimicrobial agent. Efforts should be made to scale up the production of this compound and conduct further studies to explore its efficacy as an antibiotic, using in vivo models.

An FNR project entitled “Promotion of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation for the profit of arid and semi-arid regions’ women” is led by the CRSTRA. The investigations made during 2013 and 2014 in different arid and semi-arid regions of Algeria have permitted to install Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation in five principle sites: Ain Zaatout, Beni Souik, Branis, Djemorah and Maafa (Algeria). These mountainous oases are characterised especially by lack of water. After analysing the investigation results, saffron corms were distributed to women to be cultivated. The sowing was realised on different dates. The results obtained in the first year of saffron cultivation in mountainous oases of Algeria are promising. The flowering took place in the same year in four sites; it is the case of Ain Zaatout, Beni Souik, Djemorah and Maafa. However, the flowering took place in the second year in the site of Branis. The difference in saffron flowering occurrence can be attributed to the difference in altitude, the pedo-climatic difference as well as the difference in the date of sowing.

Background: Saffron is one of the main food products in Iran, and its countless medicinal properties have been used widely in traditional medicine. Many studies conducted and reported in the literature have shown that plant-based medicines, such as chemical drugs, may also have unexpected side effects. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the saffron petal (HAESP) on the liver and kidney, particularly on their functional parameters in rats. Methods: The first group (control) received ordinary daily dietary regime. In addition, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed an ordinary dietary regimen along with HAESP (at 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg/day). The treatment was continued on a daily basis for four weeks, and upon the termination of the treatment, blood samples were collected from all the rats. Then, tissue samples were prepared from the animals’ kidney and liver for histological studies. Results: The histological results are indicators of notable changes in the glomerulus, tubules, and interstitial tissue of the kidney cross-sections for the groups receiving HAESP. In the central vein region and the port space of the liver cross-sections, dose-dependent changes were found in the groups that had received HAESP. The study results also suggest a considerable statistical increase in the mean levels of renal enzymes and hepatic enzymes in different groups receiving HAESP. Conclusion: The findings of the present study reflect the idea that the saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract can be effective even on renal and hepatic cells, and even in non-poisonous dosages. Therefore, care should be exercised in using the extract for its potentially therapeutic effects.

Evaluation of the relationships between nutritional patterns and farms’ age with the behavior of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) daughter corms based on farmers’ management (on-farm) can be crucial in ...

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) petal is the main by-product of saffron processing, which is produced in large amounts annually. The objectives of this study were to study the antioxidant and radical-scavenging activity of saffron petal extracts. Saffron petal extract was γ-irradiated to different doses (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 kGy). The antioxidant activity of irradiated and nonirradiated saffron petal extract was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical method. The total antioxidant activity of nonirradiated (0 kGy) and irradiated (10, 20, 30 and 40 kGy) samples of saffron petal was 20, 66, 61, 53, and 54%, respectively. The IR spectra of γ-irradiated and nonirradiated saffron petals revealewd an increase in the content of phenolic and flavonoid components of saffron petals with increasing dose up to 30 kGy. Thus, γ-irradiation allows enhancement of the antioxidant activity and content of phenolic and flavonoid components in saffron petals, with 20 kGy being an optimum dose.

Subcritical water extraction (SWE) was employed for the extraction of bioactive constituents from Crocus sativus corms. The extraction temperature and time, as the principal experimental variables, were investigated in the range of 100–180 °C and 10–30 min respectively. A central composite face-centered design (CCD) showed 180 °C and 21.99 min were the optimum conditions for maximizing the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) of the extract. Under the optimized conditions, the amount of TPC, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) IC50 were 816.34 mg gallic acid/100 g dry matter, 1138.95 mM, and 61.67 mg kg−1, respectively. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis showed dodecane (20.043%) is one of the main non-polar constituents in the saffron corm (SC) SWE extract (SC-SWE extract). Microdilution and disc diffusion methods revealed a degree of activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results exhibited that SWE is a practical technique to extract bioactive constituents with antioxidant and antibacterial properties from Crocus sativus corms.

Salinity is a major environmental stress worldwide that adversely affects plant’s growth and metabolism. Various studies have demonstrated the positive effect of growth regulators on improving stre...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relatively prevalent mental disorder that poses significant health burdens on the community. Although current conventional medications have good efficacy for many patients, they can elicit a range of associated adverse effects. Plant-based compounds have been evaluated for different mental disorders, with a range of anxiolytic properties revealed. To determine the current evidence in the area, we conducted a systematic review using the electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up to June 12, 2019, for pharmacological and clinical evidence of herbal medicines and phytochemicals with antiobsessive-compulsive effects. Additional search criteria were employed for locating research on the underpinning mechanisms of action. Results revealed that tentative low-quality evidence exists for several plant medicines, including Crocus sativus, Silybum marianum, Echium amoenum, Hypericum perforatum, and Withania somnifera, along with several natural molecules, including crocin, cannabidiol, and curcumin. Although more research is needed to confirm effectiveness, present preclinical studies indicate that monoamine pathway modulation (in particular serotonin reuptake inhibition) may be the most important anti-OCD mechanism among the studied natural compounds.

Saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.) is being used as a source of saffron spice and medicine to cure or prevent different types of diseases including cancers. We report the isolation, characterization of bioactive small molecule ([crocetin (β-d-glucosyl) ester] from the leaf biowastes of saffron plant of Kashmir, India. MTTC assay and Bio-autography aided approach were used to assess anti-oxidant activity and anti-cancer properties of crocin (s) against DPPH free radical and breast cancer cell line respectively. Crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester restrained proliferation of human breast adeno-carcinoma cell model (MCF-7) without significantly affecting normal cell line (L-6). Further studies involving molecular mechanics generalized born surface area and molecular docking showed that crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester exhibits strong affinity for estrogen receptor alpha and histone deacetylase 2 (crucial receptors involved in breast cancer signalling) as evidenced by the negative docking score and binding free energy (BFE) values. Therefore, crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester from Crocus sativus biowastes showed antiproliferative effect possibly by inhibiting estrogen receptor alpha and HDAC2 mediated signalling cascade. Keywords: Saffron, Floral biowastes, Antioxidant, Crocetin beta-d-glucosyl ester, Breast cancer, Molecular docking

Graphical abstract, Crocus sativus, containing remarkably amounts of crocin, picrocrocin and safranal, is the source of saffron with tremendous medicinal, economic and cultural importance. Here, we present a high-quality full-length transcriptome of the sterile triploid C. sativus, using the PacBio SMRT sequencing technology. This yields 31,755 high-confidence predictions of protein-coding genes, with 50.1% forming paralogous gene pairs. Analysis on distribution of Ks values suggests that the current genome of C. sativus is probably a product resulting from at least two rounds of whole-genome duplication (WGD) events occurred at ~28 and ~114 million years ago (Mya), respectively. We provide evidence demonstrating that the recent β WGD event confers a major impact on family expansion of secondary metabolite genes, possibly leading to an enhanced accumulation of three distinct compounds: crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Phylogenetic analysis unravels that the founding member (CCD2) of CCD enzymes necessary for the biosynthesis of apocarotenoids in C. sativus might be evolved from the CCD1 family via the β WGD event. Based on the gene expression profiling, CCD2 is found to be expressed at an extremely high level in the stigma. These findings may shed lights on further genomic refinement of the characteristic biosynthesis pathways and promote germplasm utilization for the improvement of saffron quality.