Crocetin gentiobiose glucose ester

MeOH gradient solution (1 0 to 0 1) to yield crocetin di-glucose ester (0.41 g), crocetin gentiobiose glucose ester (5.10 g) and crocin (5.69 g). 

Crocin of 50 mg/kg ameliorated the blocking effect of ethanol on the LTP at approximately 84% compared to the control as indicated in Fig. (10). Crocetin gentiobiose glucose ester also antagonized the blocking effect of ethanol on the LTP dose-dependently. But die intensity is not so strong, about a half of crocin when compared the intensity of 50 mg/kg. On the other hand, crocetin di-glucose ester did not remove the inhibitory effect of ethanol on the LTP. 

Saffron extract contains many carotenoids such as crocetin, crocetin di-glucose ester, crocetin gentiobiose glucose ester, and crocin (crocetin di-gentiobiose ester), whose chemical structures are shown in Figure 58.1. These carotenoids scavenge free radicals, especially superoxide anions, and so may protect cells from oxidative stress. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that these carotenoids are useful in sperm cryoconservation and in protecting heptocytes from toxins. 

FIGURE 58.1 Chemical structures of crocetin (A), crocetin diglucose ester (B), crocetin gentiobiose glucose ester (C), and crocin (D). 

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