A REVIEW ON SAFFRON AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY IN MEDICINE AND DERMATOLOGY.

Arathi R Krishnan*, Jiji Mathew, Salwa Abdul Salam, Jiju V., Elessy Abraham

ABSTRACT

Saffron is a spice derived from flower Crocus sativus L., is an herbaceous perennial -cormous plant which is believed to show many pharmacological actions. The plant contains important constituents like crocetin, picrocrocin, safranal (main component for characteristic aroma). Safranal is the aglycon of picrocrocin; those are responsible for many pharmacological actions. In ayurveda, saffron is used to cure chronic diseases such as asthma, arthritis, skin diseases, spasmodic disorders, digestive disorders, digestive disorders, kidney disorders. Saffron is also useful in liver and spleen enlargement. Very few modern preclinical and clinical studies have been performed on the plant. In this review we have made an attempt to compile saffron as an alternative therapy in medicine and dermatology.

Keywords: Saffron, Crocus sativus, Crocin. Picrocrocin.