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A Comprehensive Review of Crocus sativus L.: Botanical Characteristics, Phytochemical Composition, and Therapeutic Applications

1, 1, 2, 3

  1. 1Department of Pharmacy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, INDIA.
  2. 2Indukaka Ipcowala College of Pharmacy (IICP), CVM University, New V V Nagar, Anand, Gujarat, INDIA.
  3. 3Krishna School of Pharmacy and Research, Drs. Kiran & Pallavi Patel Global University, Vadodara, Gujarat, INDIA.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mr. Mahavir M. Sharma

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, INDIA.

mahavir.svp@gmail.com

Received: 09-05-2025; Accepted: 22-09-2025.

Volume 17, Issue 4 · pp. 1163-1170 · 2025 · DOI: 10.5530/pres.20252301

ABSTRACT

Known as saffron (syn. Kesar), Crocus sativus L., a member of the Iridaceae family, is mostly grown in Iran, though it is also grown in India and Greece. It is made from the dried red stigmas of the flower. Terpenes, terpene alcohols, and their esters make up the majority of the more than 150 volatile and aromatic substances that this plant produces. Picrocrocin and safranal are responsible for the characteristic bitter taste and hay-like or iodoform-like scent of saffron, respectively. Anti-hypertensive, anti-convulsant, anti-tussive, anti-genotoxic, cytotoxic, anxiolytic, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, anti-depressant, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and smooth muscle relaxant properties are only a few of the many pharmacological activity that Crocus sativus demonstrated. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to improve cognitive abilities including memory and learning as well as ocular perfusion by boosting blood flow to the retina and choroid. The historical use, phytochemical profile, pharmacodynamic characteristics, medicinal uses, possible adulterants and replacements, and toxicity data related to Crocus sativus L. are all extensively examined in this extensive review. In addition, it covers the qualitative chemical tests, pharmaceutical formulations, and analytical assessment that are relevant to its standardization and quality control.

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    Sharma, M. M., Brahmbhatt, H., Khare, S., & Shah, K. P. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Crocus sativus L.: Botanical Characteristics, Phytochemical Composition, and Therapeutic Applications. Pharmacognosy Research, 17(4), 1163-1170. https://doi.org/10.5530/pres.20252301

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    © 2025 Author(s)

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. CC BY-NC-SA 4.0