Saffron Extract Research Articles

Affron®eye, a natural extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) with colorant properties as novel replacer of saffron stigmas in culinary and food applications

Natural color becomes the first sensory perception in food and improves consumers' acceptability. To this aim, the commercial saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract affron®eye can be directly used in cold dishes due to the follow advantages: absence of microbial load, easily soluble in water and with homogeneous colorant properties due to the presence of the carotenoids crocins which are standardized in all batches by high performance liquid chromatography.In this work two different cold desserts were prepared, employing saffron stigmas or affron®eye to study the improvement of their sensory properties and final presentation. The cold recipe prepared with affron®eye showed significantly better taste (F = 6.1, p < 0.05) and acceptability by the consumers (F = 7.5, p < 0.05), compared to the recipe with saffron stigmas. The new affron®eye extract contributed to this improvement because it is easier and much more precise for dosage control, more safety (free of microorganisms), homogenizes sensory attributes, and therefore the consumer´s acceptability.

Affron®, a standardised extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

BackgroundSaffron has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in adults with mild-to-moderate depression. However, this is the first study examining its mood-related effects in teenagers. MethodsIn this 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, youth aged 12–16 years, with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms were given tablets containing placebo or a saffron extract (affron®, 14 mg b.i.d). The youth and parent versions of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) were used as outcome measures. Results80 participants were enrolled and 68 completed the study. Based on youth self-reports, affron® was associated with greater improvements in overall internalising symptoms (p = 0.049), separation anxiety (p = 0.003), social phobia (p = 0.023), and depression (p = 0.016). Total internalising scores decreased by an average of 33% compared to 17% in the placebo group (p = 0.029). However, parental reports of improvements were inconsistent as mean improvements in RCADS scores were greater in the saffron group (40% vs 26%) (p = 0.026), although no other significant differences were identified. affron® was well-tolerated and there was a trend of reduced headaches in participants on the active treatment. LimitationsThe use of a self-report instrument, limited study duration, single treatment dose, and non-clinical sample used in this study limit the generalisability of study findings. ConclusionThe administration of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) for 8 weeks improved anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth with mild-to-moderate symptoms, at least from the perspective of the adolescent. However, these beneficial effects were inconsistently corroborated by parents.

The Effect of Saffron Aquatic Extract and Crocin on the Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells Into Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells

Background: Oligodendrocytes are myelin-producing cells, which develop from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and may be damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS) and traumatic brain injuries. Promotion of neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation into oligodendrocytes in vivo is a viable strategy to replace the lost myelinating cells and restore motor functions in such debilitating diseases. Crocus sativus L. or saffron has been used as a spice since ancient times. Saffron and its major active component, crocin, are well-known for their medicinal and neuroprotective activities. The current study aimed at assessing the effect of saffron extract and crocin on the differentiation of NSCs into OPCs. Methods: To isolate NSCs, 14-day embryonic rats cortices were cultured, using the neurosphere assay. NSCs were cultured in a complete NSC medium under 4 different treatment conditions: 1, Negative control group, 10 ng/mL of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); 2, Positive control group, 10 ng/mL of bFGF plus 30 ng/mL of platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA); 3, Crocin group, crocin extract plus 10 ng/mL of bFGF; and 4, Saffron group, saffron extract plus 10 ng/mL of bFGF in 2 or 5 days. The level of Olig2 protein, an early OPC marker, was evaluated by flow cytometry 2 days after the treatment. The level of sox10 mRNA expression, involving in OPC maturation processes, was assessed in the study groups via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 5 days after the treatment. All the experiments were done in triplicate. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Graph Pad Prism version 6.01; P < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: The present data demonstrated that, similar to the positive control group, the rate of olig2+ cells in the crocin and saffron extract groups did not exceed 80% indicating that these components could significantly increase olig2 expression in NSC differentiation compared with that of the negative controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mean expression level of sox10 gene in the positive control, saffron and crocin groups was 1 ± 0.012, 0.72 ± 0.13, and 0.835 ± 0.015, respectively, which significantly higher than that of the negative control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that crocin and saffron are the proper alternatives for PDGF-AA in the enhancement of NSC differentiation into oligodendrocytes.

Crocin improved amyloid beta induced long‐term potentiation and memory deficits in the hippocampal CA1 neurons in freely moving rats

Extracellular beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and deposition is the main factor, which causes synaptic loss and eventually cells death in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Memory loss and long-term potentiation (LTP) dysfunction in the hippocampus are involved in the AD. The involvement of crocin, as the main and active constituent of saffron extract in learning and memory processes, has been proposed. Here we investigated the probable therapeutic effect of crocin on memory, LTP, and neuronal apoptosis using in vivo Aβ models of the AD. The Aβ peptide (1-42) was bilaterally administered into the frontal-cortex using stereotaxic apparatus. Five hours after surgery, rats were given intraperitoneal crocin (30 mg/kg) daily, which repeated for 12 days. Barnes maze results showed that administration of crocin significantly improves spatial memory indicators such as latency time to achieving the target hole and the number of errors when compared to Aβ-group. Passive avoidance test revealed that crocin significantly increased the step-through-latency compared to Aβ-treated alone. These learning deficits in Aβ-treated animals correlated with a reduction of LTP in hippocampal CA1 synapses in freely moving rats, which crocin improved population spike amplitude and mean field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) slope reduction induced by Aβ. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay and the expression levels of c-Fos proteins were examined by Western blotting. Crocin significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the CA1 region and decreased c-Fos in the hippocampus compared to Aβ-group. In vivo Aβ treatment altered significantly the electrophysiological properties of CA1 neurons and crocin further confirmed a neuroprotective action against Aβ toxicity.

Effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) enrichment on antioxidant and sensorial properties of wheat flour pasta

Saffron, used in cookery as a flavouring and colouring agent, is well-known for its antioxidant and beneficial health properties. In the present work, the effect of saffron addition (0-control, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4%, w/w) in the formulation of fresh pasta was evaluated on textural, physical-chemical, and sensory properties of the cooked product. Content and retention of the bioactive molecules of saffron (crocins) were evaluated by HPLC along with the corresponding antioxidant activity of enriched pasta. The presence of saffron significantly influenced textural and physical-chemical properties of pasta. Higher saffron concentrations enhanced the antioxidant activity of pasta with the higher values of crocins in samples enriched with 0.4% saffron extract even after 3 min of cooking (4.23–5.06 mg/g db). Sensory analysis showed an increased acceptability of the saffron enriched pasta for all descriptors selected (visual aspect, colour, aroma, taste, chewiness, hardness, gumminess and overall acceptability).

Comparison Effects of Acute and Chronic Intra-peritoneal Injections of Saffron Stigma Extract and Safranal-Crocin Mixture on Anxiety, in Mice

Saffron is a highly consumed food seasoning that is important due to its anti-anxiety properties. This study aimed at comparing the effects of acute and chronic injection of saffron stigma extract and Crocin-Safranal mixture (CSM) on the anxiety in mice. In this experimental study, 56 male mice assigned to seven groups, treatments were administered as acute or chronic intra-peritoneal injections and anxiety degree as measured by the use of plus maze. Results showed that acute injection of saffron stigma extract at 50 and 150 mg/kg and CSM at all 3 doses significantly increased the percentage of time spent in the open arm compared to the control. Also, saffron extract at acute dose of 50 mg/kg and CSM at acute dose of 0.68 mg/kg significantly increased percentage of time spent in the open arm compared to the same chronic doses. Overall, the comparison of saffron extract and CSM doses showed that 2.04 and 4.08 mg/kg acute and chronic doses of CSM significantly increased percentage of time spent in the open arm compared to saffron extract at 150 and 300 mg/kg (p<0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that acute intra-peritoneal doses of saffron stigma extract, in a dose dependent manner, and CSM, at all doses applied, had anti-anxiety effects. Furthermore, 50 mg/kg saffron extract and 4.08 mg/kg CSM had the highest anti-anxiety effect at acute phase and acute doses of saffron extract and CSM were generally more effective than chronic doses in reducing anxiety.

Antiproliferative effect of saffron and its constituents on different cancerous cell lines

Background: Use of herbs as medicinal plants to treat various clinical ailments has grown for the last two decades. Cancer is one of the most dreadful disease and extracts of various medicinal herbs have been subjected for the analysis to elucidate their possible role in the prevention of proliferation of cancer cells. Crocus sativus is an autumnally flowering plant rich in active ingredients apocarotenoids such as crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal which have been reported to have antiproliferative potential due to their strong antioxidant potential. Objective: To elucidate the antiproliferative potential of C. sativus extract (CSE) and its major constituents crocin and safranal on four different malignant cell lines (Alveolar lung epithelial cancerous cell line [A549], breast epithelial cancerous cell line [T47D], colon colorectal cell line [HCT-116], and prostrate cancerous cell line [PC3]) and nonmalignant cell line (L929). Materials and Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the content of crocin and safranal in saffron extract and antiproliferative effects of CSE, crocin, and safranal were evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. All cells were incubated with different concentrations of CSE, crocin, and safranal for 48 h. In a concentration-dependent manner, both safranal and crocin reduced cell proliferation in all malignant cell lines. Results: The IC50 values ranged between 0.32 and 0.42 mM for safranal, 0.31 and 0.92 mM for crocin, and 0.58 and 0.98 mg/ml for saffron extract. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that saffron and its components can inhibit cell proliferation in cancerous cells. Consequently, these agents could potentially be used as a chemopreventive agent for cancer management in the near future. Abbreviations Used: CSE: Crocus sativus extract; A549: Alveolar lung epithelial cancerous cell line, HCT-116: Colon colorectal cell line, T47d cell line: Breast epithelial cancerous cell line, PC-3 cell line: Prostrate cancerous cell line; HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography, MTT: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide.

The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) hydroalcoholic extract on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A triple-blinded randomized clinical trial.

Background:Metabolic control is a major concern in preventing diabetic complications. Saffron as a natural source of antioxidants could play a role in alleviating diabetes insults. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of saffron hydroalcoholic extract on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus.Materials and Methods:This randomized triple blind study was included 54 T2D patients which randomly received either saffron (Group 1) or placebo (Group 2) twice daily other than routine antidiabetic treatments for 8 weeks. Serum concentration of fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2-h plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein were measured as the markers of metabolic control. Anthropometric measures and blood pressure were also measured at the baseline, every 2 weeks during the intervention and the end of the study. Data analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance test.Results:The baseline metabolic parameters were the same in two group (P > 0.01). FBS serum level significantly decreased within 8 weeks in the saffron group (128.84 ± 31.86) as compared to the placebo (153.76 ± 41.23), (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in other metabolic parameters such as serum lipids, blood pressure, and HbA1c (P > 0.01).Conclusion:Saffron hydroalcoholic extract may improve blood glucose control by reducing FBS in T2D patients. However, saffron extract has no significant effect on other aspects of diabetic control in diabetic patients.

A comparative evaluation of the staining capacity of microhybrid and nanohybrid resin-based composite to indian spices and food colorants: An In vitro study

Resin composite restorative materials can mimic the natural color and shade of the tooth. However, exogenous colorants from food and drinks can stain them due to adsorption. The influence of Indian food colorants and spices on resin composite restorations has not been evaluated extensively. This study aims to evaluate the staining capacity of microhybrid and nanohybrid resin-based composites, to saffron extract, tandoori powder, and turmeric powder. Forty samples of microhybrid (Kulzer Charisma) and nanohybrid (3M Filtek Z350) resin composites were prepared using an acrylic template of dimension 5 mm × 3 mm. They were randomly divided into four groups and immersed into solutions of saffron extract, tandoori powder, and turmeric powder. Distilled water was used as the control group. Color values (LFNx01, aFNx01, bFNx01) were measured by colorimeter using the CIE LFNx01aFNx01bFNx01 system before and after 72 h of immersion. Color differences ΔEFNx01ab were statistically analyzed. Two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey (honest significant difference) test were done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 19.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. : All the immersion media changed the color of the resin composites to varying degrees. However, turmeric solution showed the maximum mean color variation ΔEFNx01ab of 14.8 ± 2.57 in microhybrid resin composites and 16.8 ± 3.50 in nanohybrid resin composites. Microhybrid and nanohybrid resin composites tend to stain to Indian food colorants, especially to turmeric powder.

Simple and green synthesis of CuFe2O4–CuO nanocomposite using some natural extracts: photo-degradation and magnetic study of nanoparticles

Copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method by applying various surfactants such as sucrose, gelatine, polyethylene glycol, sodium dodecyl sulphate, saffron and turmeric extract. Then copper oxide nanoparticles and CuFe2O4–CuO nanocomposite were prepared using water solvent and the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. SEM images approve the best mono-disperse nanoparticles were obtained in the presence of sucrose and gelatine. Vibrating sample magnetometer was used for magnetic characterization of the samples. The results illustrate super-paramagnetic behaviour of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles. The photocatalytic behaviour of CuFe2O4–CuO nanocomposite was investigated using degradation of three various azo dyes under visible light irradiations. The results indicate that the prepared nanocomposite is suitable for degradation of toxic azo dyes.

The effect of Saffron aqueous extract on hepatocellular carcinoma rat model

The aim of this study was to investigate the tumor suppressive effects of saffron in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats. Thirty rats were included in this study and divided into:- Control group : Rats which receive distilled water only. HCC group : induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and CCl4 only. Saffron group : Rats were administered orally saffron respectively 2 weeks prior to HCC initiation and continued for 6 weeks. The effect of saffron on ALT and AST activity and albumin level were studied also TGF-beta level and the TAC level were estimated and induction of apoptosis was determined by histopathological studies. Treatment with saffron was significantly decreased the activities of ALT and AST also increased the albumin level, decreased the TGF-beta level and increased the TAC level, it also reduced the elevation in the number and the incidence of hepatic dyschromatic nodules. Moreover, treatment with saffron extract brought significant restoration of the hematological parameters to values that were comparable to those of the negative control group, it also enhances the liver and kidney health, this study provides evidence that saffron exerts anti-oxidant, chemoperventive effect against liver cancer through induction of apoptosis as appeared in histopathological studies

Therapeutic effects of different doses of saffron extract on memory trend in subchronically stressed rats as determined by behavioral, hormonal, and gene expression assays

Background: Stress reportedly impairs memory and saffron (Crocus sativus L.) enhances memory via anxiolytic effects.

Anti-inflammatory and protective effects of saffron extract in ischaemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury.

Inflammation is one of the major challenges in the management of ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury. Our aim was to assess the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of saffron extract against I/R-induced renal disturbances. A total of 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 7) as sham, I/R and three groups of I/R that were pretreated with different doses of saffron extract (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The I/R-induced renal inflammation was assessed by measuring leukocyte infiltration and mRNA expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and tumour necrotic factor-alpha. For the assessment of oxidative stress, thiobarbituric acid reactive species and antioxidant capacity of kidneys were measured in the right kidneys. In addition, plasma creatinine and urea-nitrogen concentrations were determined for renal functional disturbances. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance using the Duncan post hoc test. The I/R increased all of the measured parameters, except for the tissue level of ferric reducing/antioxidant power, which decreased. Pretreatment with saffron extract in all doses significantly reduced the severity of these disturbances in such a way that there were no significant differences between the FRAP level and urea-nitrogen concentrations between the sham and all three saffron extract-treated groups. However, the saffron extract could decrease the plasma creatinine concentration, malondialdehyde level, tumour necrotic factor-alpha and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and leukocyte infiltration in a dose-dependent manner. The present study showed anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and protective effects for the hydro-ethanolic extract of saffron in I/R-induced acute kidney injury.

The Role of Saffron in Attenuating Age-related Oxidative Damage in Rat Hippocampus.

Using antioxidant diets may be a good strategy for the inhibition of oxidative stress connected to age-related disease. Saffron is a dried stigma of with antioxidant properties. This investigation was done to study the effects of saffron administration on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in female aged rats. The rats were treated with the ethanolic extract of saffron for 4 weeks. At the end of our investigation, the hippocampi of rats were removed. The homogenate was used for the evaluation of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxides (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH). There are recent patents also suggesting the use of saffron and its gradients for prevention of oxidative stress in aged tissues. The results showed that the aging was connected with a significant reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and an increase in MDA and nitric oxide levels in the hippocampus of aged rats. In addition, treatment of saffron was effective in reducing hippocampus MDA and NO levels and in increasing the antioxidant status. There is a possibility that saffron extract acts as a hormetin by inducing mild oxidative damage which leads to the activation of antioxidative enzymes. Therefore, saffron exerted considerable neuroprotective effect and proved to be efficacious in protecting rat hippocampus against age-related oxidative damage.

The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) hydro-alcoholic extract on liver and renal functions in type 2 diabetic patients: A double-blinded randomized and placebo control trial

Background and aimUncontrolled diabetes causes liver and renal dysfunctions. Since, saffron may improve diabetes control and indicate renal and liver protection, this study purposed to illustrate for the first time the effects of saffron extract on some liver and renal functional parameters among diabetic patients. Materials and methodsIn this double-blind clinical trial, 54 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly recruited to consume either 15 mg saffron extract (n = 27) or placebo capsules (n = 27) twice a day for 8 weeks. Alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine amino transferase, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine of the patients as well as their physical activity, dietary intakes, anthropometric measures and blood pressure were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS.18 software. ResultsUric acid and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased in the saffron group (P < 0.05), however, there were no significant differences between the two groups at the end of the study (p = 0.29 and 0.14, respectively). Moreover, changes in other profiles, including liver enzymes, were not statistically significant in the two groups. Also, no significant changes in blood pressure, dietary intakes, and physical activity were seen among the two groups. ConclusionSaffron hydro-alcoholic extract did not considerably improve renal and liver functions in T2DM patients in an 8-week randomized clinical trials. The results deserved further investigations with more accurate methods to confirm.

Volatile composition, antioxidant activity, and antioxidant components in saffron cultivated in Turkey

ABSTRACTOven dried cut stigmas of Crocus sativus L. cultivated in Eskisehir and Safranbolu regions of Turkey were subjected to micro distillation to extract steam volatiles. They were then analysed by Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, simultaneously. The colour compounds were extracted with 80% methanol and analysed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography HPLC/DAD and HPLC/MS/MS. The activities of the extracts of saffron against 2,2ʹ-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid free radical (ABTS●+) were investigated using on-line (HPLC-ABTS●+) and off-line methods. Safranal (62.1 and 49.3%) and α-isophorone (10.0 and 16.3%) were found as the characteristic aromatic volatiles in the Eskisehir and Safranbolu samples, respectively. Crude saffron extracts showed high total antioxidant activity against ABTS●+ radical.

Characterization of the Saffron Derivative Crocetin as an Inhibitor of Human Lactate Dehydrogenase 5 in the Antiglycolytic Approach against Cancer.

Inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) represents an innovative approach to tackle cancer because this peculiar glycolytic metabolism is characteristic of most invasive tumor cells. An investigation into the biological properties of saffron extracts led to the discover of their LDH-inhibition properties. In particular, the most important saffron components, crocetin, was found to inhibit LDH (IC50 = 54.9 ± 4.7 μM). This carotenoid was independently produced by chemical synthesis, and its LDH-inhibition properties manifested via its antiproliferative activity against two glycolytic cancer cell lines (A549 and HeLa, IC50 = 114.0 ± 8.0 and 113.0 ± 11.1 μM, respectively). The results described in this article suggest that saffron may be a helpful alimentary component in the prevention of cancer that potentially contributes to the efficacy of approved cancer therapies.

Affron® a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BackgroundIn recent years phytotherapy has been explored as a source for alternative treatments for mood disorders. One potential candidate is saffron (Crocus sativus L.), whose main bioactive components are crocins and safranal. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of affron®, a standardised stigmas extract from Crocus sativus L. for improving mood, stress, anxiety and sleep quality in healthy adults. MethodsIn this 3 arm study, 128 participants self-reporting low mood but not diagnosed with depression, were given affron® at 28mg/day, 22mg/day, or a placebo treatment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 4 weeks. Mood was measured at baseline and at the end of the study, using the POMS (primary outcome measure) and PANAS questionnaires, and the DASS-21 scale. Sleep was monitored using Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). ResultsAnalysis indicated a significant decrease in negative mood and symptoms related to stress and anxiety at a 28mg/day dose (with a significant difference between 28mg/day and placebo on the POMS Total Mood Disturbance scale, p<0.001, d=−1.10), but no treatment effect at the 22mg/day dose. LimitationsThe main weaknesses of this investigation were found in the self-reporting nature of both the screening and the testing. Conclusionsaffron® increased mood, reduced anxiety and managed stress without side effects, offering a natural alternative to standard treatments.

Role of aqueous extract of Crocus sativus to improvement of sexual dysfunctions induced by imipramine in male mice

The present study was carried out to focus light on the possible improvement and enhancement of functional performance of male mice sexual activities by using the aqueous extract of Crocus sativus. Several pharmaceutical drugs affect sexual activities and upset the sexual desire sequence that can lead to impotence or loss libido, example of these drugs are tricyclic antidepressant such as imipramine. To achieve this goal, twenty adult albino male mice were used, which were randomly divided into equal four experimental groups. The first group was given 10 mg/kg B.W. imipramine, the second group was given 100 mg/kg B.W. aqueous extract of Crocus sativus, and the third group was given 100 mg/ kg B.W. Crocus sativus aqueous extract and 10 mg/ kg B.W. imipramine, while the fourth group served as control, which was given D.W. In all groups the doses were given orally by stomach tube at 0.1 ml/10 g. B.W. for 30 days. The recorded parameters were; latency of copulation (second), frequency of copulation (per-hour), and duration of copulation (second). At day thirty blood samples were collected to determine the hormonal levels of luteinizing and testosterone hormones and the testis were obtained for histopathological processing .The results of sexual activity measured parameters showed significant decrease (P&lt;0.05) in latency of copulation and significant increase in both frequency of copulation, and duration of copulation in the groups given aqueous extract of Crocus sativus and that given aqueous extract of Crocus sativus and imipramine as compared with imipramine and control groups. While results of hormonal levels showed significant increase (P&lt;0.05) in both groups of Crocus sativus aqueous extract and imipramine as compared with imipramine only and control groups. On bases of these results, it can be concluded that the sexual activities of male mice given imipramine tend to be improved and returned when administered with aqueous extract of Crocus sativus.

A comparative quality study of saffron constituents through HPLC and HPTLC methods followed by isolation of crocins and picrocrocin

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a precious commodity with a high economic value for exporting countries such Iran. One of the major challenges of saffron cultivation is the lack of a reliable method of saffron secondary metabolites determination. This study is aimed to introduce a reliable and accurate method for determining the quality of saffron. In the proposed method, a semi-preparative HPLC was optimized for isolation and purification of crocins and picrocrocin from Saffron extract. To ensure the accuracy of purified compounds, their structure was confirmed by HPLC-DAD-MS. Thereafter two common analytical methods were developed and validated, HPLC-DAD and HPTLC-DAD. The results of these two methods were compared with the aim of finding more accurate analytical method. Next, the obtained results were compared to results of ISO 3632 method. Since crocins and crocetin both have absorbance at maximum wavelength along with other of Saffron constitutes including safranal and picrocrocin, there is an overestimation in HPTLC and ISO 3632 in comparison with HPLC-DAD. The simultaneous comparison of these three analysis methods and the isolation of picrocrocin and crocins, for the first time are done in this study. Eventually HPLC, in both preparative and analytical scale, was recommended to determine Saffron quality.