Crocin inhibits neutrophil migration and activation to treat hypoxic pulmonary hypertension through targeting HCK.

Protective effects of crocin against gentamicin-induced damage in rat testicular tissue: Modulating the levels of NF-κB/TLR-4 and Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 signaling pathways.

Alginate hydrogel-encapsulated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and crocin improve cardiac function in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

Saffron and its active constituents ameliorate hypercholesterolemia by inhibiting PCSK9 and modulating Sortilin, LDLR, and SREBP-2 signaling in high fat diet induced hypercholesterolemic C57BL/6 mice.

Crocin (CRO), the main active component of Crocussativus (saffron), exhibits significant therapeuticpotential for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). However,its clinical application is hindered by poor oral administration dueto the intestinal barrier. To overcome this limitation, a CRO-incorporatedbiodegradable microneedle (CRO–DMN) patch was developed totransdermally deliver CRO into the bloodstream, enhancing its therapeuticeffect against MI. The microneedle patch, fabricated from sodium hyaluronate(HA), demonstrated excellent mechanical strength, effectively penetratingthe stratum corneum and facilitating CRO infiltration to a depth exceeding300 μm successfully. Studies revealed that CRO was fully releasedwithin 30 min postapplication, and the skin self-healed within 90min after patch removal. Importantly, administration of CRO–DMNsto MI mice resulted in significant improvements in cardiac functionand reductions in infarct size compared with CRO treatment alone.Additionally, CRO–DMNs also provided superior protective effectson the myocardium and mitochondria and significantly increased angiogenesisin the infarction border area. In conclusion, CRO–DMNs representa promising transdermal drug delivery system that effectively improvesthe therapeutic efficacy of CRO in the treatment of MI.

Crocin (CRO), the primary antioxidant in saffron, is known for its anticancer properties. However, its effectiveness in topical therapy is limited due to low bioavailability, poor absorption, and low physicochemical stability. This study aimed to prepare crocin nanoparticles (CRO-NPs) to enhance their pharmaceutical efficacy and evaluate the synergistic effects of Cro-NPs with doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy on two cell lines: human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and non-cancerous cells (WI38). CRO-NPs were prepared using the emulsion diffusion technique and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Cell proliferation inhibition was assessed using the MTT assay for DOX, CRO, CRO-NPs, and DOX+CRO-NPs. Apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry, and changes in the expression of apoptotic gene (P53) and autophagic genes (ATG5 & LC3) were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. TEM and SEM revealed that CRO-NPs exhibited a relatively spherical shape with an average size of 9.3 nm, and zeta potential analysis indicated better stability of CRO-NPs compared to native CRO. Significantly higher antitumor effects of CRO-NPs were observed against HepG2 cells (IC50 = 1.1 mg/ml and 0.57 mg/ml) compared to native CRO (IC50 = 6.1 mg/ml and 3.2 mg/ml) after 24 and 48 hours, respectively. Annexin-V assay on HepG2 cells indicated increased apoptotic rates across all treatments, with the highest percentage observed in CRO-NPs, accompanied by cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Furthermore, gene expression analysis showed upregulation of P53, ATG5, and LC3 genes in DOX/CRO-NPs co-treatment compared to individual treatments. In contrast, WI38 cells exhibited greater sensitivity to DOX toxicity but showed no adverse response to CRONPs. Although more in vivo studies in animal models are required to corroborate these results, our findings suggest that CRO-NPs can be a potential new anticancer agent for hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, they have a synergistic effect with DOX against HepG2 cells and mitigate the toxicity of DOX on normal WI38 cells.

Background: Muscle mass gradually declines with age and the development of an effective strategy to prevent this is important. Gardenia fruit (Gardenia jasminoides; GJ), commonly used as a natural food colorant and in traditional herbal medicines, possesses antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiangiogenic properties. However, its effects on muscle atrophy remain unexplored.Purpose: In this study, we investigated the potential of GJ extract to mitigate dexamethasone (DEX)‐induced muscle atrophy.Methods: Cell experiments used C2C12 cells and myotube atrophy was induced with 50 μM DEX. Animal experiments used 7 week‐old C57BL/6 mice and fed GJ at 0.05% or 0.1% in the diet for 8 weeks. DEX was injected intraperitoneally at 15 mg/kg per day for 18 days before dissection to induce muscle atrophy and the effects were evaluated.Results: GJ enhanced myogenic differentiation by upregulating myogenic regulatory factors like Myf5 and MyoD and inhibited DEX‐induced myotube atrophy. Additionally, GJ reduced DEX‐induced ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction via Nrf2 activation. In mice, GJ protected the loss of muscle mass and decrease in muscle function by DEX. DEX‐induced oxidative stress was reduced by GJ via the activation of Nrf2, followed by the transcription of antioxidant genes. HPLC analysis identified geniposide (GP) and crocin (CC) as the main constituents of GJ. However, only CC was found to exert antioxidant effects and effectively reduce DEX‐induced oxidative stress and muscle atrophy via Nrf2 activation.Conclusion: These findings suggest that GJ, particularly its bioactive component CC, may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for muscle atrophy.

Objectives Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a severe microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Crocin (CRO), an active ingredient extracted from Crocus sativus and Gardenia jasminoides, has multiple bioactivities such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-depressive activities. However, the potential effects and mechanisms of CRO in the treatment of DN are still unclear. Methods In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of CRO in treating DN using in vivo and in vitro experiments, and intensively investigate the potential therapeutic mechanisms of CRO against DN based on the inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inducing adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated autophagy. Results The results showed that CRO had a therapeutic effect and anti-EMT effect in kidney of DN mice. CRO also moderated AMPK/mTOR pathway and improved autophagy in kidney of DN mice. In high glucose (HG)-induced tubular epithelial cell EMT model, CRO inhibited EMT, moderated AMPK/mTOR pathway and improved autophagy. AMPK inhibitor abolished the above effects of CRO on tubular epithelial cells. Conclusion CRO exhibited considerably therapeutic and anti-EMT effects on DN both in vivo and in vitro, these may be associated with restoring autophagy through regulating AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Background and Purpose: The most significant pathogen hypothesized to be causing the formation of Acute lung injury (ALI) in sepsis is thought to be lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a key endotoxin component of gram-negative bacteria. The main objective of this study is to determine possible anti-inflammatory effects of crocin (CRO) which has many biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic in LPS-induced ALI. Methods: 40 Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Control (no treatment), CRO (given 50 mg/kg crocin for 9 days), LPS (given 30 mg/kg LPS at 9th day), LPS+CRO (given 50 mg/kg crocin for 9 days and 30 mg/kg LPS at 9th day). After experimental, rats were sacrificed and lungs were extracted. Histological examinations were performed in the lung tissue and the changes in the HMGB1 and TLR4 expressions were determined via immunohistochemical staining. Results and Conclusion: Hemorrhage, mononuclear cell infiltration and HMGB1 and TLR4 expressions significantly increased in the LPS group. However, CRO administrations exerted a strong protective effect on the lungs in terms of these parameters in LPS+CRO group. According to our results, we suggest that CRO can be considered as a protective agent against LPS induced ALI via inhibition of HMGB1/TLR4 pathway-mediated inflammatory response.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex, severe psychotic disorder that is highly persistent. Patients often cannot control their emotions and have delusions of victimization, world-weariness, and even suicide. Therefore, safer and more effective drugs are urgently needed. Rannasangpei (RNSP) from "the four medicine tantras" was used as a neuroprotective agent. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of RNSP on MK-801-induced SCZ in mice. Fifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an RNSP group, a crocin (CRO) group, and an olanzapine (OLA) group, except for the normal group. The remaining mice were used to establish the MK-801-induced SCZ model. Changes in positive symptoms and cognitive impairment in mice before and after drug intervention were assessed by using the prepulse inhibition (PPI) test, Y-maze test (YMT), and open-field test (OFT). Intragastric administration of RNSP alleviated the symptoms of SCZ in SCZ mice, as demonstrated by the PPI, YMT, and OFT results. Compared with the model group, the first-line antipsychotic olanzapine reversed the anxiety-like phenotypes, hypermotility, and PPI deficits in the SCZ model mice. Further analysis revealed that RNSP reduced oxidative stress in SCZ model mice, as evidenced by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the hippocampus, cortex, and blood of SCZ model mice. In our study, RNSP treatment restored the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine D2 receptor, p-Trkb, Akt/p-Akt, and doublecortin and inhibited the expression of IBA1 and Bax in the hippocampus of SCZ model mice. The polymerase chain reaction data indicated that RNSP treatment increased the expression of Bcl-2 and TGF-β and decreased the expression of Bax, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the brains of the model mice. Our results are the first to show that RNSP reverses SCZ-like behaviors in rodents (both positive symptoms and cognitive deficits) by reducing oxidative stress and activating the BDNF-TrkB/Akt pathway, suggesting that RNSP is a novel approach for treating SCZ.

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with oxidative stress and neuron damage triggered by valproic acid (VPA) in a post-natal rat model of ASD. It was hypothesized that crocin (CRO), may have beneficial effects in ASD due to its antioxidant activities. The study investigated the neuro-behavioural and biochemical modifications of crocin in VPA-induced ASD. Wistar albino rat pups aged 13 days were divided into five groups (06 each). 400 mg/kg VPA subcutaneously on PND 14 successfully induced autism. From PND 14 to 40, crocin was dispensed daily. Different neuro-behavioral markers were examined while the groups were receiving therapy. Animals were sacrificed at the completion of the research for biochemical calculations. Crocin treatment significantly improved behavioral activity and oxidative changes compared to animals treated with the VPA-exposed group. The effects were more pronounced at higher dose of crocin, providing evidence of reversing the valproic acid-induced autistic deficits. Crocin could be a viable option for ASD treatment due to its potential neuronal cytoprotective effects, likely attributed to its antioxidant properties

Imatinib resistance remains a major obstacle in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Crocin (CRC) and astaxanthin (ATX) are phytochemicals with anti-cancer properties. This study aimed to explore the effects of combination treatment of Imatinib with CRC and ATX on Imatinib-resistant K562 (IR-K562) cells. After the establishment of IR-K562 cells, growth inhibitory activity was determined by the MTT assay. To test the regeneration potential, a colony formation assay was performed. Cell cycle analyses were examined by flow cytometry. Cell injury was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Real-time PCR was applied to assess the expression of IL6, TNF-α, STAT3, BAD, CASP3, TP53, and Bcl-2 genes. Caspase-3 activity was determined by a colorimetric assay. Antioxidant activity was measured using a diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. After 48h of treatment, ATX (IC50 = 30µM) and CRC (IC50 = 190µM) significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation ability, induced G1 cell cycle arrest and cell injury, upregulated the expression of apoptosis-associated genes, and downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic and inflammatory genes. The combination of IM with ATX and/or CRC synergistically reduced cell viability (combination index [CI] < 1). Our data suggest that IM shows better therapeutic efficacy at lower doses when combined with ATX and/or CRC.

Simple SummaryLiver cancer represents one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounting for the majority of its incidences and deaths. Currently, sorafenib is the first-in-line option for treating advanced and unresectable HCC. It is a multi-kinase inhibitor that intervenes with tumor growth and progression. Considering the modest results provided by sorafenib, identifying novel approaches to treating HCC remains a clinical imperative. Based on our previous work, crocin, a constituent of saffron, prevented HCC development. This study aimed to investigate its therapeutic effect in combination with sorafenib against an induced model of hepatocellular carcinoma arising from a cirrhotic milieu in rats. Our results confirmed that combination therapy yielded more effective outcomes compared to crocin and sorafenib monotherapies. It exerted the most pronounced effects in inhibiting inflammation and tumor cell proliferation while activating apoptosis and restoring macroscopic and cellular liver morphology. These results introduce a potential strategy for optimizing the anticancer effects of sorafenib using the bioactive natural compound crocin against HCC.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies, with continuously increasing cases and fatalities. Diagnosis often occurs in the advanced stages, confining patients to systemic therapies such as sorafenib. Sorafenib (SB), a multi-kinase inhibitor, has not yet demonstrated sufficient efficacy against advanced HCC. There is a strong argument in favor of studying its use in combination with other medications to optimize the therapeutic results. According to our earlier work, crocin (CR), a key bioactive component of saffron, hinders HCC development and liver cancer stemness. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic use of CR or its combination with SB in a cirrhotic rat model of HCC and evaluated how effectively SB and CR inhibited tumor growth in this model. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was administered intraperitoneally to rats once a week for 15 weeks, leading to cirrhosis, and then 19 weeks later, leading to multifocal HCC. After 16 weeks of cancer induction, CR (200 mg/kg daily) and SB (10 mg/kg daily) were given orally to rats for three weeks, either separately or in combination. Consistently, the combination treatment considerably decreased the incidence of dyschromatic nodules, nodule multiplicity, and dysplastic nodules when compared to the HCC group of single therapies. Combined therapy also caused the highest degree of apoptosis, along with decreased proliferating and β-catenin levels in the tumor tissues. Additionally, when rats received combined therapy with CR, it showed anti-inflammatory characteristics where nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) were considerably and additively lowered. As a result, CR potentiates the suppressive effects of SB on tumor growth and provides the opportunity to strengthen the therapeutic effects of SB in the treatment of HCC.

Studying the cis–trans isomerization process in crocin (CR), one of the few water-soluble carotenoids extracted from saffron, is important to better understand the physiological role of cis-carotenoids in vivo and their potential as antioxidants in therapeutic applications. For that, cis–trans isomerization of both methanol- and water-dissolved CR was induced by light or thermally generated singlet oxygen (1O2). The kinetics of molecular concentrations were monitored by both high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and non-destructive spectrophotometric methods. These last made it possible to simultaneously follow the cis–trans isomerization, the possible bleaching of compounds and the amount of thermally generated 1O2. Our results were in accordance with a comprehensive model where the cis–trans isomerization occurs as relaxation from the triplet state of all-trans- or 13-cis-CR, whatever is the way to populate the CR triplet state, either by photon or 1O2 energy transfer. The process is much more (1.9 to 10-fold) efficient from cis to trans than vice versa. In H2O, a 1O2-induced bleaching effect on the starting CR was not negligible. However, the CR “flip-flop” isomerization reaction could still occur, suggesting that this process can represent an efficient mechanism for quenching of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo, with a limited need of carotenoid regeneration.

Exposure to nanoparticles became inevitable in our daily life due to their huge industrial uses. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) are one of the most frequently utilized metal nanoparticles in numerous applications. Crocin (CRO) is a major active constituent in saffron having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials. We designed this study to explore the probable defensive role of CRO against CuONPs-induced rat hepatic damage. Therefore, 24 adult rats were randomly distributed into 4 equal groups as negative control, CRO, CuONPs, and co-treated CuONPs with CRO groups. All treatments were administered for 14days. The hepatotoxic effect of CuONPs was evaluated by estimation of hepatic alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes, hepatic oxidative malondialdehyde and antioxidant glutathione reduced, serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1-beta, and nuclear factor kappa B), and expression of the apoptotic BAX in hepatic tissues; in addition, histopathological examination of the hepatic tissues was conducted. We found that concurrent CRO supplement to CuONPs-treated rats significantly averted functional and structural rat hepatic damage as documented by decreased hepatic enzymes activities, restored hepatic oxidant/antioxidant balance, decreased serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers, reversed BAX-mediated apoptotic cell death in hepatic tissues along with repair of CuONPs-induced massive hepatic structural and ultrastructural alterations. It is concluded that combined CRO supplement to CuONPs-treated rats improved hepatic function and structure by, at least in part, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms.

Clinical use of triptolide (TP) is restricted due to severe toxicity. This study assessed the protective effect of crocin (CR) as a natural antioxidant against TP-induced toxicity in bovine collagen type II-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. The mice in the CIA model group showed macroscopic signs of severe arthritis. The anti-arthritis effects in the control, TP + CR, and TP groups were evaluated through assessment of foot volume, arthritis score, and proinflammatory cytokines, and collagen antibody assay. Crocin reduced TP-induced toxicity, as evidenced by evaluation of survival rate, body weight, visceral index, hepatic and renal functions, histopathologic analyses, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Transcriptome sequencing resulted in identification of 76 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with hepatotoxicity between the TP and TP + CR groups. Of these, Three DEGs (Cyp1a2,Gsta4, and Gstp1) were validated using quantitative real-time PCR analysis. In conclusion, CR protected CIA mice from TP-induced toxicity through modulation of the cytochrome P450 and glutathione metabolism pathways.

ABSTRACT Crocin (CRO) is feasible in alleviating atherosclerosis (AS), the mechanism of which was therefore explored in the study. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-treated macrophages received CRO treatment. Treated macrophage viability was determined via MTT assay. In both murine and macrophage, the lipid level and total Cholesterol/Cholesteryl l Ester (TC/CE) levels were quantified by oil-red-O staining and ELISA, respectively. Lipid droplet, aortic plaque formation and collagen deposition were detected via Oil-red-O staining, hematoxylin–eosin staining and Masson staining, respectively. Liver X Receptor-α (LXR-α), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ), CD68, PCSK9, CD36, ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily A Member 1 (ABCA1), phosphorylated (p)-AKT, and AKT expressions were detected via Western blot, the former three also being detected using Immunohistochemistry and the first being measured by qRT-PCR. CRO decreased HFD-induced weight gain, ameliorated the abnormal serum lipid levels of HFD-treated mice, and inhibited aortic plaque formation and lipid deposition, and increased collagen fibers, with upregulated high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and downregulated TC and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). CRO alleviated the HFD-induced upregulations of CD68, PCSK9 and CD36 as well as downregulations of PPARγ/LXR-α, ABCA1 and AKT phosphorylation. In LPA-treated macrophages, CRO alone exerted no effect on the viability yet inhibited the lipid droplets formation and downregulated TC/CE levels. Silent LXR-α reversed the effect of CRO on the lipid droplets formation and levels of lipid metabolism-related factors. CRO ameliorated AS by inhibiting foam cells formation and promoting reverse cholesterol transport via PPARγ/LXR-α.

Objective: Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of crocin-loaded collagen scaffold on the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Significance: Different studies have been conducted to develop an efficient strategy to accelerate and improve the recovery process of bone defects. It was shown that crocin (CRO), extracted from saffron, could induce osteogenic differentiation of rat BM-MSCs. Scaffolds can also provide a 3-dimensional environment for migration, adhesion, growth, and proliferation of MSCs. Methods: Collagen (COL) scaffolds were fabricated through freeze-drying followed by cross-linking by dehydrothermal method. Then, crocin was incorporated into the scaffolds. Physicochemical characterization of the scaffolds was evaluated. Rat BM- MSCs were seeded on crocin-loaded collagen scaffolds and cultured for 14 days. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated using alizarin red (ALZ) staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and compared to the positive control group. Results: The average pore size of the collagen scaffolds was about 97 ± 6.7 µm. Formation of amide cross-links was confirmed by FTIR. The scaffolds were capable of uptaking water up to 50 times more than their initial dry weight and releasing above 90% of their uploaded crocin during 24 h. Collagen scaffolds containing crocin (25 and 50 μM) increased ALZ intensity (3.16 ± 0.3 and 7.32 ± 0.3 folds, respectively) and ALP activity (13.7 ± 1.1 and 12.2 ± 9.4 folds, respectively) in comparison with the positive control group. Conclusion: Crocin-loaded collagen scaffold could effectively enhance calcium deposition and ALP activity in BM-MSCs and therefore proposed as a good candidate to accelerate the healing process of vital bone defects.

BackgroundSide effects of cisplatin (CIS) such as testicular toxicity restrict its clinical use. Instead, evidence indicates that crocin (CR) has synergistic anti-cancer potential with CIS and exhibited beneficial effects on CIS-induced hepatorenal damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective potential of CR against CIS-induced testicular toxicity in rats.MethodsFifty adult male Wistar rats randomly assigned to five equal groups including control, CIS, and CIS plus CR at doses of 6.25 mg/kg (CIS + CR6.25), 25 mg/kg (CIS + CR25), and 100 mg/kg (CIS + CR100). CIS and CIS + CR groups received a single intraperitoneally (i.p.) injection of CIS (7 mg/kg). CR (6.25–100 mg/kg i.p.) injections were started three days before the CIS injection and continued once a day for up to 13 days. On the 14th day, all animals were sacrificed and their blood samples and testes were removed for biochemical and histological analyses.ResultsCompared to the control group, CIS significantly decreased relative testis weight (0.28 vs. 0.39, p < 0.001), testosterone level (0.3 vs. 2.31 ng/mL, p < 0.001), germinal layer area (25,886 vs. 35,320 µm2, p < 0.001), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (0.9 vs.1.73 U/mg, p < 0.001) and increased testicular lipid peroxidation (3.05 vs. 15.35 nmol/mg, p < 0.001). CR at 25 mg/kg ameliorated testicular lipid peroxidation and enhanced SOD activity compared to CIS group (p < 0.05). Besides, CR treatment at the maximum dose (100 mg/kg) resulted in reversing CIS effects on testis weight, testosterone level, SOD, lipid peroxidation, and germinal layer area.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrated that CR co-treatment could prevent CIS-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Abstract Emergence and spread of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus, is considered a public health emergency threatening global health systems, as of June, 2020, It caused a cumulative total of 9,033,423 confirmed cases and more than 469,539 deaths across 215 countries, person to-person transmission has being identified as the route for spreading. So far, the lack of effective vaccines for the treatment or prevention of Covid-19 has further worsened the situation. In this context, the present study aims to assess whether naturally occurring components have an antiviral effect via a computational modeling approach. Density Functional theory (DFT) was performed to estimate the kinetic parameters, frontier molecular orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential as well as chemical reactivity descriptors of various ligands. The results revealed that Crocin and Digitoxigenin exhibited a potential applicant with the lowest resistance to electronic charge transfer with a chemical hardness of 2.19eV and 2.96eV respectively, as well as the lowest HOMO-LUMO difference. In addition to the DFT calculation, a docking simulation study was conducted on the SARS-CoV-2 base protease (PDB: 6LU7) to determine the binding affinity of ligands. The findings show that Crocin exhibits the lowest binding energy of -8.1 Kcal/mol and may be a good inhibitor of CoV-2-SARS compared to hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, which have a binding affinity of -5.4 and -4.9 Kcal/mol, respectively. The high binding affinity of L3 was assigned to the existence of 14 hydrogen bonds connecting the ligand to the critical amino acid residues of the receptor.