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Cited by 325Saffron Plant Research StudiesMedicinal Plant ResearchSunflower and Safflower Cultivation

Crocus sativus L.: A comprehensive review

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Srivastava, R, Ahmed, H, Dixit, RK, Dharamveer, Saraf, SA·2010·Pharmacognosy Reviews
DOI 10.4103/0973-7847.70919PMC PMC3249922
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Abstract

Crocus sativus L. belonging to the family Iridaceae (syn - kesar) comprises the dried red stigma and is widely cultivated in Iran and other countries such as India and Greece. Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds mainly terpenes, terpene alcohol, and their esters. The bitter taste and an iodoform or hay-like fragrance are caused by chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. C. sativus possesses a number of medicinally important activities such as antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antitussive, antigenototoxic and cytotoxic effects, anxiolytic aphrodisiac, antioxidant, antidepressant, antinociceptive , anti-inflammatory, and relaxant activity. It also improves memory and learning skills, and increases blood flow in retina and choroid. The present review explores the historical background, chemical constituents, pharmacological actions, uses, substitutes and adulterants, and toxicity. It also deals with its evaluation, formulations, and chemical tests in detail.

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Authors
Srivastava, R., Ahmed, H., Dixit, R., Dharamveer, & Saraf, S.
Affiliations
Babu Banarasi Das University (IN)
Corresponding author
Srivastava, R
Venue
Pharmacognosy Reviews
Publisher
Manuscript Technomedia LLP
Published
2010
Volume
4
Issue
8
Pages
200
ISSN
  • 0973-6581 (ISSN-L)
  • 0973-7847
DOI
10.4103/0973-7847.70919
PMC
PMC3249922
OpenAlex
W2113347752
Cited by
325
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 6
FWCI
2.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Pharmacognosy Reviews/Bioinformatics Trends/Pharmacognosy review (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Saffron Plant Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Medicinal Plant Research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Sunflower and Safflower Cultivation
Keywords
saffron, picrocrocin, safranal, terpenes, medicinal properties, pharmacological activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antinociceptive activity, adulterants, toxicity, quality assessment, formulation

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