The phrase “saffron” (Crocus sativus L.) is derived from the Arabic phrase za’faran, which interprets to “yellow.” Saffron finds its title within the oldest textual content of Kashmir (Nilamatapurane, Vol-1). Additionally, within the a lot celebrated historical cluster of Kashmir, “Rajtarangini” Kalhana contains Kashmiri saffron amongst these particular attributes which in response to the individuals of Kashmir can’t be obtainable even within the paradise (Nehvi, 2010).Saffron additionally finds its point out in Kashmiri information which dates again to fifth Century BC (Nauriyal et al., 1977).Iran, India and Spain are the most important saffron producing international locations of the world. Iran occupies the utmost space of 47000 hectares with a complete manufacturing of 238 M.T contributing above 90 % to the whole world’s saffron manufacturing.
In India, saffron is predominantly cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir. Saffron is mainly cultivated round Pampore within the Kashmir Valley. District Pulwama accounts for 77.57% of saffron adopted by District Budgam (16.84%), Srinagar (7.66%) whereas, Poochal, Namil, Cherrad, Hullar, Blasia, Gatha, Bandakoota and Sangrambatta of District Kishtwar accounts for two.5% of the whole space of the state (Nehvi., 2010).
Saffron has been utilized for various components of world notably for confectionary, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, colouring agent for sausages, oleomargarines, dairy merchandise resembling butter, cheese and icecream for shade and flavour enchancment. In Kashmir, saffron has an extended historical past of being utilized in culinary (Kashmiri cusine, wazwaan) and Kashmiri tea (Kehwa). There’s a lengthy historical past that the stigmas of Saffron are being utilized by Chinese language, Iranian and Indian conventional medicines for anodyne, antidepressant, a respiratory decongestant, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, expectorant, and sedative. It was additionally utilized in folks treatment towards scarlet fever, smallpox, colds, bronchial asthma, eye and coronary heart ailments. Saffron was additionally used towards blood diarrhea, fever, measles, hepatitis, liver and spleen syrose, urine an infection, cholera, diabetes, and dermal ailments and to cut back the discomfort of teething infants.
Medical, pharmaceutical and different purposes of saffron
Impact on Studying Habits
The saffron extract and two of its important substances crocin and crocetin, improved reminiscence and studying abilities in ethanol-induced studying conduct impairments in mice and rats. Oral administration of saffron could also be helpful as remedy for neurodegenerative problems and associated reminiscence impairment. (Abe and Saito, 2000; Abe., 1994; Sigura et al., 1995).
Antioxidant exercise
The methanolic extract of Crocus sativus and its elements resembling safranal, crocin and many others. had been reported to own radical scavenging exercise, suggesting its use as a beauty to deal with age associated problems, as a meals complement. Crocin was discovered to own larger antioxidant capability than alphatocopherol in neuronally differentiated pheochromocytoma cells disadvantaged of glucose, whose absence brought about peroxidation of their cell membrane lipids and decreased intercellular superoxide dismutase exercise. These results had been reversed by crocin, promising it as a novel and potent antioxidant that combats oxidative stress in neurons. Additional it was additionally stated to extend the degrees of varied enzymes such because the glutathione reductase, glutathione–Stransferase
and likewise maintains the purposeful ranges of different antioxidants suggesting it as a possible antioxidant. (Hosseinzadeh and Sadeghnia.,2006).
Coronary heart Illness Safety
Antioxidants in saffron tea can scale back the danger of cardiovascular ailments. The flavonoids, particularly lycopene, present in saffron can present added safety. A medical trial on the Division of Medication and Indigenous Drug Analysis Heart confirmed constructive results of saffron on cardiovascular ailments (Verma et al.1998). The examine concerned 20 members, together with 10 with coronary heart ailments. In keeping with the Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, all of the members confirmed improved well being, however these with cardiovascular ailments confirmed extra progress. As well as, saffron has been discovered to be the richest supply of riboflavin (Schmidt et al.2007.,Bathaie and Mousavi,2010). Because of the presence of crocetin, it not directly helps to cut back ldl cholesterol stage within the blood and severity of atherosclerosis, thus decreasing the possibilities of coronary heart assaults. It might be one of many prime causes that in Spain, the place Saffron is consumed liberally, the incidence of cardiovascular ailments is kind of low. The crocetin current in saffron is discovered to extend the yield of antibiotics.(Basker and Negbi.1998)
Cytotoxic impact
The impact of the ethanolic saffron extract on macromolecular synthesis in three human cell traces: A549 cells (derived from a lung tumor), WI-38 cells (regular lung fibroblasts) and VA-13 cells (WI-38 cells reworked by SV40 virus), revealed that the malignant cells had been extra delicate than the traditional cells to the inhibitory results of saffron on each DNA and RNA synthesis (Abdullaev & Frankel.1992 b). It has been instructed that the inhibitory impact on mobile DNA and RNA synthesis, however not on protein synthesis, is among the important mechanisms of motion for saffron’s antitumor and anticarcinogenic actions (Abdullaev & Frankel.1992 a,b .,Abdullaev,1994).
Anti-diabetic exercise of saffron
The energetic constituent of saffron viz crocetin, was discovered to own anti diabetic exercise in fructose–fed rats because it alleviated free fatty acid induced insulin insensitivity and dysregulated mRNA expression of adiponectin, TNF–alpha and leptin in main cultured rat adipocytes, suggesting the potential of crocetin remedy as a preventive technique of insulin resistance and associated ailments (Liu et al .2005). Superior glycation finish merchandise are identified to trigger the oxidative response that often ends in endothelial cell apoptosis and thus end in diabetic vascular issues. Crocetin by advantage of its good antioxidant capability and calcium antagonistic exercise or stabilization could also be a very good treatment for diabetic vascular issues (Shen & Qian.2006).
Most cancers chemo preventive and tumoricidal properties of saffron
The saffron extract itself and its important constituents, the carotenoids, possess chemopreventive properties towards most cancers. Saffron within the presence of the T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin stimulated a non–particular proliferation of T lymphocytes invitro. Using crocetin in lung most cancers was discovered to lower the lipid peroxidation, glutathione metabolizing enzymes and likewise revert the histopathological modifications related to tumour incidence proving it as a possible antitumour agent (Inoue et al.2005.,). Crocetin was discovered to exert a small inhibitory impact on the event of pores and skin tumours induced in nude mice by the appliance of 9, 10–dimethyl–1,2–benzanthracene, 7–12 dimethyl benz [α] anthracin and croton oil (Nair et al.1995).
In the present day, primarily based on rising and efficient purposes of saffron in medical fields and in various drugs, it has attracted the eye of many researchers and it could substitute chemical medicines. The latest scientific findings on the organic actions of saffron, along with the physique of anecdotal proof for its therapeutic exercise towards quite a lot of ailments, present sturdy indications that saffron and/or its elements could also be helpful brokers in trendy drugs.
( The Creator is a Senior Reseracher and Columnist)
