Ethanol extract of Crocus sativus L. Antagonizes the inhibitory action of ethanol on hippocampal long-term potentiation in vivo

The effect of an ethanol extract of Crocus sativus L. (CSE) on the long-term potentiation (LTP) of the evoked potential in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was investigated using anaesthetized rats. CSE (250 mg/kg, p.o.) alone did not affect the generation of LTP by application of subthreshold or suprathreshold tetanic stimulation (20 or 30 pulses at 60 Hz). Oral administration of ethanol (10–30%, 10 mL/kg) blocked the LTP induced by tetanic stimulation of 30 pulses at 60 Hz, but the LTP-blocking effect of ethanol was significantly attenuated by pre-administration of CSE (125 and 250 mg/kg, p.o.). The blockade of LTP induction by intravenously injected ethanol (30%, 2 mL/kg) was also antagonized by administration of CSE at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg (p.o.). Oral administration of CSE antagonized also the LTP-blocking effect of ethanol directly injected into the brain, although it required a higher dose (500 mg/kg, p.o.). These results suggest that oral administration of CSE exerts an antagonistic effect on ethanol-induced impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, which is possibly mediated by both direct action on the central nervous system and peripheral action.     

Bronchial asthma caused by Lathyrus sativus flour

A 10-year-old child with asthmatic attacks related to Lathyrus sativus flour inhalation was studied in our department. Skin test and specific bronchial provocation challenge were positive. Specific IgE antibodies to Lathyrus sativus flour was demonstrated by indirect enzyme immunoassay. We suggest that our patient's allergic symptoms were due to the development of Type I allergic reactivity to L. sativus antigens.     

西红花药材高效液相色谱指纹图谱研究及不同产地药材谱比较

目的:建立西红花的指纹图谱分析方法,并对8个不同产地的西红花药材进行指纹图谱的比较研究.方法:以西红花苷-1为参照物,采用高效液相色谱法,色谱柱为ZORBAX SB-C18,流动相为1%醋酸水溶液:1%醋酸甲醇溶液线性梯度洗脱,检测波长为312 nm,分析时间为40 min,流速为1.0mL·min-1.结果:共标出12个共有峰,方法学考察表明,本研究建立的分析方法有较好的重现性;不同产地的西红花药材共有峰的比值有一定的差异.结论:本方法稳定、可靠、简便,为提高西红花药材质量控制标准提供参考.     

西红花籽油对大鼠脂质代谢的影响

目的：研究西红花籽油对实验性高脂血症大鼠脂质代谢的影响。方法：采用高血脂模型法进行本次研究。结果：10．0mg/kg、3．3ml／kg体重剂量组均能明显降低高脂血症大鼠血清胆固醇(代)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量，10．0ml／kg体重剂量组能明显降低高脂血症大鼠血清甘油三脂(TG)含量、肝体比和致动脉粥样硬化指数(AI)。结论：西红花籽油具有调节血脂的作用。     

西红花花瓣化学成分研究

采用硅胶、制备HPLC等柱色谱方法对鸢尾科植物西红花(Crocus sativus L.)花瓣的化学成分进行分离,通过NMR、MS等波谱技术鉴定化合物结构,分离鉴定了9个化合物,分别为:苯乙醇-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(1),苄醇-1-O-[6′-O-(S)-3′′-羟基-3′′-甲基戊二酸单酯]-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(2),苯乙醇-1-O-[6′-O-(S)-3′′-羟基-3′′-甲基戊二酸单酯]-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(3),4-羟基苯甲酸-4-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-1-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖酯苷(4),4-羟基苯甲酸-4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(5),菠甾醇-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(6),山柰酚(7),山柰酚-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(8),山柰酚-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(9).其中,化合物4为新化合物,化合物1～3,5～6均为首次从该植物中分离得到.体外活性初步评价了化合物1～9对皮质酮诱导PC12细胞损伤的保护作用,化合物2～5具有中等神经保护作用.     

Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The effect of saffron supplementation on subclinical inflammation remains inconclusive. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to summarize available findings on the effect of saffron supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers (C‐reactive protein [CRP], tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], and interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]) in adults. We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to November 2019 using relevant keywords to identify eligible trials. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effect of oral saffron supplementation on plasma concentrations of CRP, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 were included. For each outcome, mean differences and SDs were pooled using a random‐effects model. Overall, eight RCTs were included in this meta‐analysis. The pooled results showed that saffron supplementation did not result in significant changes in serum CRP (weighted mean difference [WMD]: ?0.43 mg/L; 95% confidence interval [CI]: ?1.04 to 0.17; p = .16), serum TNF‐α (WMD: ?1.29 pg/mL; 95% CI: ?4.13 to 1.55; p = .37), and IL‐6 concentrations (WMD: 0.11 pg/mL; 95% CI: ?0.79 to 1.00; p = .81). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduction in serum CRP levels in studies with baseline CRP of ≥3 mg/L, saffron dosage of ≤30 mg/day, and intervention duration of <12 weeks, as well as trials that used crocin. Similarly, saffron was found to decrease TNF‐α in studies that recruited non‐diabetic subjects, subjects with baseline levels of ≥15 pg/mL, and participants with <50 years old, as well as trials that administered saffron at the dosage of ≤30 mg/day. We also found a significant non‐linear effect of saffron dosage on serum CRP concentrations (p_{non‐linearity} = .03). The overall results indicated that saffron supplementation did not affect inflammatory cytokines. Further high‐quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of supplemental saffron on inflammatory biomarkers.     

基于Box-Behnken响应面法优化莱菔子炒制工艺及对离体十二指肠运动的影响

目的优选炒药机炒制莱菔子的最佳炒制工艺,并观察其对大鼠离体十二指肠运动的影响。方法以萝卜苷、芥子碱硫氰酸盐的含量和RS01相对含量为指标,在单因素试验的基础上,采用Box-Behnken响应面法考察炒制温度、炒制时间和炒药机转速对莱菔子炒制工艺的影响,优选出最佳工艺参数。采用MP160多导生理记录仪,观察炒莱菔子对大鼠离体十二指肠运动的影响。结果莱菔子最佳炒制工艺为炒制温度217.14℃,炒制时间3.05 min,炒制转速29.73 r/min。考虑到实际生产中的可行性,对炒制工艺调整为炒制温度220℃,炒制时间3 min,炒制转速30 r/min。炒莱菔子水提液可增大大鼠离体十二指肠收缩的张力和振幅。结论优选的莱菔子炒制工艺简单可行,更适合工业化生产的要求。莱菔子具有促进胃肠动力的作用。     

Role of Dietary Crocin in In Vivo Melanoma Tumor Remission

Background: Melanoma is a deadly form of malignancy. Early diagnosis might pave the way to cure but its aggressive nature leads to rapid dissemination and colonization of distant organs. Dietary herbs may play a significant role in prevention of cancer. In this study, we tested anti-tumor efficacy of the Crocus sativus derived active constituent crocin, it is well established to have anti-cancer properties in different cancer models by our group and other groups. Notably, crocin is reported to exert anti-proliferative effect on melanoma cells (B16F10) in vitro. However, roles of crocin on in vivo melanoma tumor remission have not yet been reported to our knowledge. Materials and Methods: Melanoma tumor model was established by transplanting B16F10 (5 X 105) cells into C57BL/6 mice, which were then observed for tumor development and once the tumor volume reached 6 mm, mice were divided into (Group I: tumor-bearing animals treated with normal saline and Group II: counterparts treated with crocin at 2 mg/kg body weight for 21 days). . Tumor remission and tumor growth related parameters such as tumor silent period (TSP), tumor volume doubling time (VDT), growth delay (GD), and mean survival time (MST) were determined. In addition, serum protein profiles were analyzed. Results: The 21 days crocin treatment significantly reduced the tumor burden in mice, extending the mean survival time significantly as compared to control. Crocin treatment also significantly increased the TGD and TSP and decreased VDT. Furthermore, while serum proteins such as albumin and globulin (alpha1, alpha2, beta, and gamma) were altered due to tumor burden, crocin treatment resulted in their levels near to normal at the end of the experimental period. Conclusion: Our study provided clear evidence that crocin may exhibit significant melanoma tumor remission properties by positively modulating tumor growth related parameters. In future, the molecular mechanisms of crocin action should be studied extensively in melanoma models before defining crocin-based melanoma drug formulations.     

基于解吸电喷雾质谱成像技术分析番红花球茎中代谢物的组织分布

目的 探究不同产地番红花球茎中内源性代谢物的分布特征。方法 利用解吸电喷雾（DESI）质谱成像技术,通过优化样品前处理,建立了一种对番红花球茎内源性代谢物可视化分析的方法。结果 实现了黄酮、有机酸、氨基酸、类胡萝卜素和环烯醚萜苷等代谢物的原位表征;L-瓜氨酸、苯乙酰甘氨酸、紫苜蓿酚和栀子苷等特异性分布在球茎中;芹菜素7-（6''-O-乙酰基）-葡萄糖苷、异鼠李素-3-O-葡萄糖苷、蜀黍氰苷6''-葡萄糖苷、芹菜素7-O-二葡糖醛酸主要分布在顶芽中;对于在球茎部位分布的化合物,产于上海的番红花球茎丰度最高,浙江次之,安徽最低。结论 番红花球茎在不同产地及同一产地不同部位的代谢物分布存在显著差异,黄酮和黄酮衍生物如异鼠李素-3-O-葡萄糖苷、芹菜素衍生物主要分布于顶芽中,此外,天然植物保护剂蜀黍氰苷6''-葡萄糖苷也主要在顶芽分布,而作为能量和物质供应的氨基酸则主要积累在球茎。     

Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) extract and its active constituents (crocin and safranal) on ischemia-reperfusion in rat skeletal muscle

Saffron and its constituents have been shown to decrease ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in kidney or brain tissues. In this study, the effects of saffron ethanolic extract and its constituents, crocin and safranal, were evaluated in skeletal muscle during I/R injury. Hind limb ischemia was induced using clamping the common femoral artery and vein. After 2 h ischemia, the clamp of the femoral vessels of animals was taken off and the animal underwent 1h reperfusion. Muscle injuries were evaluated by recording of the electromyographic (EMG) potentials and performing some biochemical analysis including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total sulfhydryl (SH) groups and antioxidant capacity of muscle (using FRAP assay). The ethanolic extract of saffron (5, 20 and 80 mg kg⁻¹), crocin (50, 200 and 400 mg kg⁻¹), safranal (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 ml kg⁻¹) and normal saline (10 ml kg⁻¹) were administered intraperitoneally 1 h prior reperfusion. The average peak-to-peak amplitude during I/R was significantly increased in extract, crocin and safranal groups in comparison with control-ischemic group. Following saffron, crocin and safranal administration, the total SH contents and antioxidant capacity were elevated in muscle flap. The MDA level was declined significantly in test groups. It is concluded that saffron extract and its constituents show a protective effect against lower limb I/R in rat.