Saffron (Crocus sativus) petal as a new pharmacological target: a review

Abstract

Saffron petal is the main by-product of saffron processing which produced at high level but it is not applied and thrown out. Saffron petal is containing of several compounds such as mineral agents, anthocyanins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and kaempferol. As saffron petal is cheaper and produces in large amounts compared to saffron stigma, so, it can be considered as an appropriate source for different purposes. In this review different pharmacological properties of saffron petal such as anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, immunomodulatory, anti-tussive, anti-depressant, anti-nociceptive, hepato-protective, reno-protective, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activity have been introduced. According to these properties, saffron petal can be used as an alternative or supplementary medicine in some diseases.

Keywords: Antidepressant; Crocus sativus; Hepatoprotective; Kaempferol; Metabolic syndrome; Saffron petal.

Figure 1

Chemical structures of some major bioactive constituents of saffron petal. A) kaempferol; B)crocin; C)crocetin; D) kinsenoside; E) goodyeroside A; F) crocusatin-K; G) crocusatin-L

Figure 2

The pharmacological effects of saffron petal