PMC full text:
Table 1
Various effects of saffron in different parts of body
| Site of Action | Effects | Effective material | Dosage | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central nervous system | Anticonvulsant | Safranal Safranal Aqueous/ethanolic extracts of saffron | (0.15, 0.35 ml/kg) (72.75,145.5,291 mg/kg) (0.08-0.80 g/kg)/(0.2-2.0 g/kg) | 24 25 26 |
| Reducing neurotransmitters release | Safranal | (291 mg/kg) | 27 | |
| Antidepressant | Kaempferol Aqueous extract of saffron Crocin Safranal Crocin Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stigma | (100, 200 mg/kg in mice) (50 mg/kg in rats) (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg/day) (12.5,25,50 mg/kg) (0.5 ml/kg) (50-600 mg/kg) (0.2-0.8 g/kg) | 28 29 30 31 | |
| Neuroprotective | Crocin | (10-50 μM) | 32 | |
| Anti-Parkinson, anti-Alzheimer, improves memory and learning skills | Crocin Crocetin | ------- (8 mg/kg) | 10 33 | |
| Anxiolytic and hypnotic | Safranal Saffron aqueous extract | (0.15,0.35 ml/kg) (0.56 g/kg) | 34 | |
| Against cerebral ischemia, brain damage and memory deficits | Crocin Saffron extract | (25 mg/kg) (250 mg/kg) | 35 | |
| Reduction of morphine dependency | Crocin-Safranal | (different dosage) | 36 | |
| Cardiovascular system and blood cells | Protective effect against myocardial infarction | Saffron extract Safranal | (20, 40, 80, 160 mg/kg/day) (0.025, 0.050, 0.075 ml/kg) | 37 |
| Protective effect against cardiotoxicity | Crocin | (25,50 mg/kg/day) | 38 | |
| Effect on atherosclerosis | Crocin | (25,50,100 mg/kg/day) | 39 | |
| Effect on hypertension | Crocin | (12.5, 25,50 mg/kg) | 40 | |
| Hyperlipidemia (reduction of cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) | Crocin | (25 to 100 mg/kg/day) | 41 | |
| Reduction of hematological toxicity | Safranal Crocin | (0.025, 0.05, 0.1 ml/kg) (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) | 42 | |
| No effect on coagulant and anticoagulant system | Saffron | (200, 400 mg/week) | 43 | |
| Decreasing of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets and increasing of sodium, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine | Saffron | (400 mg/week) | 44 | |
| Immunity system | Against of infectious disease (measles, smallpox and scarlet fever) and antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal effects | Saffron components | ------------ | 10 |
| Anti-nociceptive effect | Saffron Safranal | ------------ (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 ml/kg) | 45 46 | |
| Analgesic and anti-inflammatory (earache, tooth-ache, swelling, otitis, anal pain, gout, cancer pain, gingivitis). Reduce the discomfort of teething infants | Saffron components | ------------- | 10, 47 | |
| Genital and urinary system | Ejaculation latency and erection disorders | Crocin Aqueous extract of saffron Saffron | (100, 200, 400mg/kg) (160 and 320mg/kg) (200mg) | 4 48 |
| Effects on male Sexual behavior and female Sexual behavior such as premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) | Saffron | ------------ | 16 | |
| Improving renal function | Saffron | ------------- | 49 | |
| Eye | Lacrimation, poor eyesight, day blindness, retina and corneal disease and cataract. Increases blood flow in choroid | Saffron components | ------------- | 10 |
| Skin | Sunscreen and moisturizing properties Used as emollient and anti-pruritic agent, add the shine, lighten the skin, reduce dark pigments, dark circles under the eyes, acne, pimple and treatment of other skin problems extensively | Liposomes containing safranal Lotions containing saffron | (8%) (4%) | 50 51 |