saffron mode of action and drugs, introduction

1. Saffron
Crocus sativus
Al Nahrain university
Collage of science
Dept. of Biotechnology
BY
Lena Kanaan

3. Introduction
 Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae.
 ornamental plant has spice derived from dried flower
stigmas
 herbaceous plant growing to 20–30 cm tall.
 native to Greece slowly propagated in North
Africa, North America later.
 Iran contribute to 90% of production
 Adultration since expensive
 more than 150 volatile, aroma-yielding
 nonvolatile active components, many are carotenoids
 including zeaxanthin, lycopene and various α- and β-
carotenes.

4. Identification of saffron
Saffron is a spice containing the antioxidant carotenoids
crocin and crocetin. Saffron has been known for its
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell protective effects.
Daily doses of up to 1.5 g are thought to be safe.
Crocin, which is the main carotenoid in saffron has a
stronger antioxidant activity than α-tocopherol and can
prevent the formation of peroxidized lipids and partly
restore superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.

5. Synthesis from vinblastine

6. Active compounds
Crocin : digentiobiose ester of the carotenoid crocetin
Hydrophilic carotenoids
saffron's golden yellow-orange colour
Saffron: 2-hydroxy-4,4,6-trimethyl-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-
one,
saffron's fragrance despite its being present in a lesser quantity than
safranal.

7. o enhances oxygen diffusivity
in plasma also improves
pulmonary oxygenation.
o help prevent Alzheimer’s
disease, asthma
o slow down eye diseases
progression like macular
degeneration التنكس البقعي
o Anti skin cancer
o Super high dosage of above
12 to 15 grams may be fatal.
Stigmas:

8. Mode of Action
•Mechanisms by which saffron exerts its neuroprotective
action on retinal cells are different and include:
- Modification of gene expression levels working on repair
pathways and protective mechanisms
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Inhibiting TNF-α induced apoptosis, by modulating Bcl-2
family protein expression.
- Suppressing caspase activation.
- Antiapoptic, leading to preservation of the photoreceptor
morphology and function.
- Anti-neovascularization, preventing pathologic
angiogenesis in wet Age-related Macular Degeneration.

9. Saffron Supplements by
Millenium Nutritional
Products
Saffron for macular degeneration eye
disease. Age-related macular degeneration is
a medical condition which usually affects
older adults.
Saffron macular degeneration treatment has
been shown to be useful to slow progress of
disease and even heal damaged cells .
Lutein with its isomer zeaxanthin are
macular carotenoids of dietary origin. Lutein
is a main pigment in macula of eye
and zeaxanthin.
Also named saffron 2020

10. Saffron Supplements by
Millenium Nutritional
Products
for natural weight loss. Shown as a
miracle appetite suppressant that
help individuals struggling with
emotional eating to lose significant
weight in a relatively short amount
of time.
increasing the levels of serotonin.
It has long been known that eating
food has a deep interaction with
serotonin levels in the brain which
are responsible for regulating mood.
Saffron extract has not negative side
effects.

11. Saffron Supplements by
Millenium Nutritional
Products
Saffron for Depression. for
treating mild to moderate
depression
Saffron exerts its antidepressant
activity by increasing the levels of
serotonin.

12. Solid-liquid extraction:
Two steps:
Crocin extraction:
• In ethanol 80% its semisoluble while other
components are soluble
• filteration, crystallization to separate from
completely soluble other substances
• Repeat at -5C slower, higher quality
• more than 97% efficiency

13. summary
1) Adultration since expensive
2) more than 150 volatile, aroma-yielding compound
3) pesticidal and insecticidal
4) saffron 2020 to treat macular degeneration eye disease
By Lutein with its isomer zeaxanthin activity.
5) for natural weight loss by increasing serotonin levels in
the brain which are responsible for regulating mood,
also used for treating mild to moderate depression
6) Crocin extraction:In ethanol 80%, filteration, At -5C.
7) Active compounds: Crocin, Saffron, safranal, Lutein,
zeaxanthin
8) identification: Crocin, which is the main carotenoid in
saffron has a stronger antioxidant activity
9) Mode of Action: Modification of gene expression, Anti-inflammatory,
- Suppressing caspase activation, Anti-neovascularization

14. Refrances
1) "Saffron – Definition and More". Merriam-Webster.
Retrieved 21 November 2012.
2) Kafi et al. 2006, p. 23.
Jump up^ Rau 1969, p. 53.
3) Hill 2004, p. 272.
4) Grigg 1974, p. 287.
5)authorstream.com
6) http://www.slideshare.net/johnbanderson/saffron-presentation-
270512?qid=4e3862cd-d883-44c3-8bc5-
232107ffa312&v=default&b=&from_search=5
7) Schmidt et al. 2007.
8) Ochiai et al. 2004
9) Oost, Thorten K. et al Discovery of Potent Antagonists
of the Antiapoptotic Protein XIAP for the Treatment of
Cancer
10)Christen et al. 2008