Crocus carotenoids from

In vitro cytotoxic analysis of the main saffron compounds (crocins, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal) using HeLa (human cervical epitheliod cancer) cells was carried out by Escribano et al [64]. It was found that in terms of LD50 values (dose inducing 50% cell growth inhibition on these cells) safranal has 0.8mM, crocin and picrocrocin 3mM respectively. Furthermore, Escribano et al [65] have also isolated from corms of Crocus sativus a glycoconjugate with cytotoxic activity as well. Experiments with carotenoids from Crocus sativus in HL60 cells were conducted by Tarantilis et al [66] where inhibition and induction of differentiation of these cells was studied. 

Tarantilis, P.A. et al. Inhibition of growth and induction of differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) by carotenoids from Crocus sativus L., Anticancer Res., 14,1913,1994. 

Garcia-Ohno, D.C. et al. Effects of long-term treatment of colon adenocarcinoma with crocin, a carotenoid from saffron Crocus sativus L.) an experimental study in the rat, Nutr. Cancer, 35,120,1999. 

Crocetin (C20) is a yellow (IP)2—(PI)2-derived dicarboxylic, acid (generalized structure -OOG-Gig-GOO-) from the styles of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae) (the saffron of Indian cooking and Buddhist robes). Grocin, the digentiobiose ester of crocetin, is water soluble, unlike other carotenoids which are lipophilic (fat soluble). Crocetin is a protein kinase inhibitor. Excess vitamin A (or excess pro-vitamin A) ingestion is toxic (dog liver consumption having caused the death of Sir Douglas Mawson s explorer companions in the Antarctic by this mechanism). 

Compounds other than ionone, and without ionone-like structures, derived from carotenoids are also of commerical importance. Safranal, CioHil(0 is isolated from the styles of the autumn blooming crocus and is accompanied by a C20H2A01) yellow pigment. The fresh saf ranal oil is very unstable, but it has a very strong and pleasant odor. It is used as an additive to violet-like perfumes and the results are very satisfying. Addition of tinctures of safranal to bitter and... 

The coloring principle of saffron, crocin, which was isolated from the hila of Crocus salivas, is the ester of a carotenoid pigment (crocetin), and has the structure 12) ... 

Good Cholesterol Bad Cholesterol What s the Difference 1016 Bile Adds 1017 Corticosteroids 1017 Sex Hormones 1018 Carotenoids 1019 Crocuses Make Saffron from Carotenes 1020 24.17 Summary 1021 Problems 1022... 

The ahcycHc monoterpenic aldehyde safranal has a different biochemical origin, and is the main characteristic odorous component of saffron Crocus sativus, Iridaceae). Safranal is classified as a degraded carotenoid (apocarotenoid) as it is produced from zeaxanthin via hydrolysis of the bitter intermediate picrocrocin. Degradation of carotenoids produces a number of other aromatic compounds (see Section 9.9.5.2). A list of the names of major terpenoid aldehydes is shown in Table 8.11. 

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