medicinal uses of Saffron

1. Level 1 Pharm D
students
Section 3
No.150 -163
Saffron Plant
Red Gold
Under vision:
Dr. Ahmed Mohsen

2. Outline:
 Name
 Origin
 Traditional uses
 Main constituents
 Reported biological activities
 Marketed products
 Contraindications
 Side effects

3. Name of Saffron:
Saffron has many names, depending on
the country……..
• Middle East:
Zafran
• China:
Stigma croci
• India:
Kesar, Kashmira
and Kumkuma
*The most commen is Saffron crocus

4. Origin:
-Dried threads
(stigma and style)
of Crocus sativus,
which is a triploid form of
C. cartwrightianus,
Fam. Iridaceae
There are other possible sources like
C. thomasii and C. pallasii

5. Spain, Iran and Kashmir

6. Traditional uses

7. India
Saffron is considered an …..
-Immune stimulant -cardio tonic
-liver tonic -nervine tonic
-carminative -diuretic
-glactogogue -febrifuge
-sedative and relaxant -anxiolytic

8. China (TCM):
As………….
-cardiovascular application
-immune stimulate
-anti-inflammatory
-respiratory tract (asthma)
-and to protect the brain from
oxygen deprivation

9. Iran (TIM):
As………
-invigorate the body
-strengthen the body
-elevate mood :)
-for swelling, headache, insomnia
-eye problems
-bleeding

10. Main constituents:
Saffron stigmas have more than 150
components. We can say that it has
every thing Like…..
 Alkaloids
 Phenolic compounds
 Tannins
 Flavonoids
 Saponins
 Terpanoids *

11. In addition to……..
 Glycosides (Picrocrocin, crocin and
crocetin)
 Volatile oil (Safranal)
Notes:
1. Picrocrocin is a precursor of Safranal, which is
the main volatile oil responsiple for the aroma.
2. The color of Saffron comes from the water
soluble glycoside (crocin) and a glycosyl ester of
(crocetin).

12. Biological activities:
• Anti-cancer:
crocin, crocetin and safranal have
significant anticancer activity.
• Anti-inflammatory:
crocin and safranal supresse inflammatory
pain and increase the number of some white cells.

13. • Glycosides Lower blood
pressure and also for
congestive heart failure
and cardiac arrhythmia.
• The growth of fungi, yeasts,
bacteria, and viruses is inhibited
by Tannins.
• Treatment for cough, asthma and
fever because of Terponoids.
Digitalis
Cinchona

14. • Anxiolytic activity
• Anti-diabetic:
reducing fasting blood glucose.
• Anti-oxidant (Flavonoids- Phenols)
• Effects on retinal:
increasing the blood flow in the retina.
• Immunity effect:
increasing some kinds of the anti-bodies.
Lavender

15. Marketed products

18. Contraindication:
• Pregnancy: larger amounts of
saffron can act as uterine
stimulant so miscarriage.
• Bipolar disorders: saffron may
trigger mood swings.
• Allergy to aloe. People who are
allergic to this plant might also be
allergic to saffron.

19. • Heart conditions : saffron might
affect how fast and how strong the
heart beats. Taking large amounts
of saffron might worsen heart
conditions.
• Low blood pressure : saffron might
lower blood pressure.

20. Side effects:
Very high dose of saffron could
prove to be dangerous at times.
Like……..
• diarrhea
• yellowish skin
• yellowish eye
• yellowish mucus membrane
• nose bleeding
• numbness of eyelids and lips

21. Reference
empir,2017,4(6), 690-693