MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF SAFFRON PLANT
Keywords:
Saffron, Crocus sativus, medicinal plantAbstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most valuable medicinal plants known since ancient times for its therapeutic properties. This study aims to analyze the pharmacological potential and bioactive compounds of saffron, emphasizing its role in modern and traditional medicine. Saffron contains important constituents such as crocin, crocetin, safranal, and picrocrocin, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and anticancer effects. Recent scientific evidence suggests that saffron may play a significant role in the prevention and management of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and metabolic syndromes. The growing interest in natural remedies highlights saffron as a promising plant for future pharmaceutical applications.
References
1. Hosseinzadeh, H., & Nassiri-Asl, M. (2013). Avicenna’s (Ibn Sina) the Canon of Medicine and saffron (Crocus sativus): A review. Phytotherapy Research, 27(7), 1013–1019.
2. Abdullaev, F. I. (2002). Cancer chemopreventive and tumoricidal properties of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Experimental Biology and Medicine, 227(1), 20–25.
3. Melnyk, J. P., Wang, S., & Marcone, M. F. (2010). Chemical and biological properties of the world’s most expensive spice: Saffron. Food Research International, 43(8), 1981–1989.
4. Samarghandian, S., & Borji, A. (2014). Antidepressant effect of saffron aqueous extract in rats. Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 17(2), 12–18.
5. Gohari, A. R., Saeidnia, S., & Mahmoodabadi, A. (2013). An overview on saffron, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 3(3), 182–193.
6. Srivastava, R., Ahmed, H., & Dixit, R. K. (2010). Pharmacological benefits of saffron: A review. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 5(2), 67–74.
7. Rezaee, R., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2013). Saffron as a potential therapeutic agent in depression and neurological disorders. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(3), 813–824.
8. Khazdair, M. R. (2015). The protective effects of saffron and its constituents on respiratory diseases. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 5(5), 448–459.
9. Bathaie, S. Z., Farajzade, A., & Hoshyar, R. (2017). Anticancer effects of saffron carotenoids. BioMed Research International, 2017, 1–10.
10. Fernández, J. A. (2004). Biology, biotechnology and biomedicine of saffron. Recent Research Developments in Plant Science, 2, 127–159.
