Oils, saffron

328.40200

328.16700

74.60000

4.60940

The dried stigma of Crocus sativus, a perennial of the iris family. The quality characteristics are measured by the total and acid insoluble ash. /Saffron/|From the dried stigma of Crocus saffron. Food additive. /Saffron/

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The color additive saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L. ... Saffron may be safely used for the coloring of foods generally, in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice, except that it may not be used to color foods for which standards of identity have been promulgated under section 401 of the act, unless the use of added color is authorized by such standards. ... Certification of this color additive is not necessary for the protection of the public health, and therefore batches thereof are exempt from the certification requirements of section 721(c) of the act. /Saffron/|Spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe for their intended use, within the meaning of section 409 of the Act. Saffron (Botanical name of plant source: Crocus sativus L.) is included on this list. /Saffron/|Essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free), and natural extractives (including distillates) that are generally recognized as safe for their intended use, within the meaning of section 409 of the Act. Saffron (Botanical name of plant source: Crocus sativus L.) is included on this list.

The anticonvulsant activities of Crocus sativus stigma constituents, safranal and crocin, were evaluated in mice using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in mice. Safranal (0.15 and 0.35 mL/kg, i.p.) reduced the seizure duration, delayed the onset of tonic convulsions and protected mice from death. Crocin (200 mg/kg, i.p.) did not show anticonvulsant activity. /Safranal and crocin/|Intragastric administration of 125-250.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) of a 50% ethanol extract of the stigmas had a tranquillizing effect in mice, and potentiated the sedative effects of barbiturates. /Ethanol extract of Stigma Croci/|Topical application of 100 mg/kg bw of a 95% ethanol extract of the stigmas inhibited two-stage initiation and promotion of skin carcinogenesis in mice, delaying the onset of papilloma formation and reducing the mean number of papillomas per mouse. Intragastric administration of 100.0 mg/kg bw of the same extract per day for 30 days reduced the incidence of soft tissue sarcomas induced by 20-methylcholanthrene by 10% in mice. Intragastric administration of 100.0 mg/kg bw of an ethanol extract of the stigmas to mice inhibited the growth of solid Dalton lymphoma ascites and sarcoma 180 tumors by 87% and 41%, respectively. Subcutaneous administration of 400.0 mg/kg bw of crocin weekly for 13 weeks, slowed the growth of colon adenocarcinoma and increased the lifespan of female but not male mice. /Ethanol extract of Stigma Croci/|Intraperitoneal administration of 50 mg/kg bw of a 95% ethanol extract of the stigmas to mice partially prevented the decreases in body weight, hemoglobin levels and leukocyte counts caused by cisplatin treatments. /Ethanol extract of Stigma croci/

LD50 Rats (male) 5.53 mL/kg /Safranal/|LD50 Rats (male) 1.5 mL/kg /Safranal/|LD50 Mice (female) i.p. 1.88 mL/kg /Safranal/|LD50 Mice(male) i.p. 1.48 mL/kg /Safranal/|For more Non-Human Toxicity Values (Complete) data for SAFFRON OIL (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Saffron oil is derived from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L, Iridaceae(1). Saffron is an expensive spice, cultivated in many regions of the world. Its chief metabolites include: crocins, which are responsible for the coloring ability; safranal, which is the main essential oil constituent; and picrocrocin which is the main bitter constituent of the spice(2).

EXPL THER The antitussive activity of Crocus sativus stigma and petal extracts and its components, safranal and crocin, was evaluated using the nebulized solution of citric acid 20% in guinea pigs. The extract and agents were injected intraperitoneally. The ethanolic extract of C. sativus (100-800 mg/kg) and safranal (0.25-0.75 mL/kg) reduced the number of cough. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of petal and crocin did not show antitussive activity. /Extracts of Stigma Croci/|EXPL THER Crocus sativus L. (saffron) is used in folk medicine, for example as an antiedematogenic agent. /The authors/ aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of saffron extracts in mice. /They/ used aqueous and ethanolic maceration extracts of Crocus sativus L. stigma and petals. Antinociceptive activity was examined using the hot plate and writhing tests. The effect of extracts against acute inflammation was studied using xylene induced ear edema in mice. The activity of the extracts against chronic inflammation was assessed by formalin-induced edema in the rat paw. In the hot plate tests, intraperitoneal injection of both extracts showed no significant antinociceptive activity in mice. The extracts exhibited antinociceptive activity against acetic acid induced writhing. Naloxone partially blocked only the antinociceptive activity of the stigma aqueous extract. Only the stigma extracts showed weak to moderate effect against acute inflammation. In chronic inflammation, both aqueous and ethanolic stigma extracts, as well as ethanolic petal extract, exerted anti-inflammatory effects. /The authors/ conclude that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of saffron stigma and petal have an antinociceptive effect, as well as acute and/or chronic anti-inflammatory activity. /Stigma extracts/|EXPL THER Administration of a monthly intramuscular injection of crocetin (dose not specified) to rabbits fed an atherosclerosis-inducing diet reduced serum cholesterol concentrations by 50%, and reduced the severity of atherosclerosis by ~30%. /Crocetin/|EXPL THER The antioxidant effects of the stigmas were assessed in a clinical trial involving 30 subjects in three groups: 10 healthy volunteers, 10 patients with coronary artery disease and 10 healthy controls. The two test groups received 50 mg of Stigma Croci in 100.0 mL of milk twice daily for 6 weeks, the controls received milk only. Lipoprotein oxidation in blood samples decreased by 42.3% in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001) and 37.9% (P < 0.01) in patients with coronary artery disease compared with controls. /Stigma Croci/|For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for SAFFRON OIL (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

At doses of 5.0 g or more, Stigma Croci may cause serious adverse reactions. Overdose of Stigma Croci (12.0-20.0 g/day) may be fatal. /Stigma Croci/|Stigma Croci may induce uterine contractions and is therefore contraindicated during pregnancy. Owing to a lack of safety data, use of the stigmas in children and nursing mothers should be restricted to normal food use. Stigma Croci is contraindicated in bleeding disorders. /Stigma Croci/|Stigma Croci inhibits platelet aggregation and should therefore be used with caution in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. /Stigma Croci/

The lethal dose of Stigma Croci is reported to be 20.0 g... /Stigma Croci/

/SRP:/ Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR if necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on the left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Poisons A and B/|/SRP:/ Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poisons A and B/|/SRP:/ Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Consider administering a beta agonist such as albuterol for severe bronchospasm ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poisons A and B/

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ C. sativus stigma tablets were evaluated for short-term safety and tolerability in healthy adult volunteers. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled design consisting of a 1-week treatment of saffron tablets. Volunteers were divided into three groups of 10 each (five males and five females). Group 1 received placebo; groups 2 and 3 received 200 and 400 mg saffron tablets, respectively, for 7 days. General measures of health were recorded during the study such as hematological, biochemical, and electrocardiographic parameters done in pre- and post-treatment periods. Clinical examination showed no gross changes in all volunteers after invention. Saffron with higher dose (400 mg) decreased standing systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressures significantly. Saffron decreased slightly some hematological parameters such as red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. Saffron increased sodium, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. This study showed that saffron tablets may change some hematological and biochemical parameters. However these alternations were in normal ranges and they were not important clinically. /Stigma Croci/|/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ The lethal dose of Stigma Croci is reported to be 20.0 g; however, smaller doses may cause vomiting, uterine bleeding, bloody diarrhea, hematuria, bleeding from the nose, lips and eyelids, vertigo, numbness and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. Oral administration of 5.0 g resulted in localized skin hemorrhages, marked thrombocytopenia, and abnormalities of blood clotting in one patient. /Stigma Croci/|/ALTERNATIVE and IN VITRO TESTS/ Crocin and crocetin, 0.8-2.0 umol/L, isolated from an extract of the stigmas, inhibited the growth of human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells in vitro. Crocetin, 35-55.0 ug/mL, inhibited the synthesis of nucleic acids and protein in cervical epitheloid carcinoma, lung carcinoma and transformed fetal fibroblast malignant human cell lines. Incubation of cervical epitheloid carcinoma cells (HeLa), lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and SV-40 transformed fetal lung fibroblast cells with varying concentrations of crocetin for 3 hours resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in DNA and RNA synthesis, and suppression of RNA polymerase II activity. /Crocin and crocetin/|/ALTERNATIVE and IN VITRO TESTS/ A hot aqueous extract of Stigma Croci, 10-100.0 mg/mL, prolonged partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times, and inhibited platelet aggregation in human platelets induced by adenosine diphosphate and collagen in vitro. /Extract of Stigma Croci/|For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for SAFFRON OIL (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Tincture (10% in 80% and also lower-strength ethanol). /Saffron/|The presence of 2,2,6-trimethyl-4,6-cyclohexadien-AL causes the characteristic spicy, warm odor of the dried product and tinctures; crocin yields the characteristic orange-yellow color. /Saffron/

Oils, saffron: ACTIVE|The major constituents include essential oils (0.4-1.3%) with alpha- and beta-pinene, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), a monoterpene glucoside, picrocrocin (4%), safranal, which can be obtained by hydrolysis of picrocrocin, and a series of carotenoid glucosides known as crocins (2%), dimethylcrocetin and their aglycone crocetin.|Saffron is an expensive spice, cultivated in many regions of the world. Its chief metabolites include crocins, which are responsible for the coloring ability, safranal, which is the main essential oil constituent, and picrocrocin which is the main bitter constituent of the spice. /Saffron/|Olive oil, milk, honey, and saffron were the most common targets for adulteration reported in scholarly journals, and potentially harmful issues identified include spices diluted with lead chromate and lead tetraoxide, substitution of Chinese star anise with toxic Japanese star anise, and melamine adulteration of high protein content foods. /Saffron/

The U.S.P. provides the following tests for saffron: saffron should not include the yellow styles. When pressed between filtering paper, it should not leave an oily stain. When chewed, it tinges the saliva deep orange-yellow. When soaked in water, it should not deposit any pulverulent, mineral matter, nor show the presence of organic substances differing in shape from that described. On agitating 1 part of saffron with 100,000 parts of water, the liquid should acquire a distinct yellow color. No color is imparted to benzine agitated with saffron (absence of picric acid and some other coal-tar colors). On drying saffron at 100 °C (212 °F), it should not lose more than 14% of its weight (absence of added water). When thus dried, and ignited with the free access of air, 100 parts of the dry saffron should not leave more than 7.5% ash (absence of foreign inorganic substances).|Colorimetric and spectrophotometric assays are used. Qualitative and quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography methods are available for picrocrocin, safranal and crocins.|Changes in aroma and coloring properties of saffron (Crocus sativus) after gamma-irradiation at doses of 2.5 and 5 kGy (necessary for microbial decontamination) were investigated. The volatile essential oil constituents responsible for aroma of the spice were isolated by steam distillation and then subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). No significant qualitative changes were observed in these constituents upon irradiation, although a trained sensory panel could detect slight quality deterioration at a dose of 5 kGy. Carotene glucosides that impart color to the spice were isolated by solvent extraction and then subjected to thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fractionation of the above pigments into aglycon and glucosides was achieved by using ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. Analysis of these fractions by HPLC revealed a decrease in glucosides and an increase in aglycon content in irradiated samples. The possibility of degradation of pigments during gamma irradiation is discussed.|A simple micellar capillary electrochromatographic (MEKC) method capable of quantifying all three types of main constituents was established. The pH, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) content and electrolyte concentration of the background electrolyte was optimized. A simple extraction protocol was developed which can extract all metabolites of different polarity from the saffron stigmas. Optimal background electrolyte composed of 20 mM disodium phosphate, 5mM sodium tetraborate, 100 mM SDS, pH was set 9.5. Optimal extracting solvent was the background electrolyte, incubated with the sample for 60 min. The proposed method allows quantification of picrocrocin, safranal, crocetin- Di-(beta-D-gentiobiosyl) ester and crocetin (beta-D-glycosyl)-(beta-D-gentiobiosyl) ester within 17.5 min, with limit of detection values ranging from 0.006 to 0.04 mg/mL, from a single stigma. /Saffron/|For more Analytic Laboratory Methods (Complete) data for SAFFRON OIL (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.