Table 1.

Various effects of saffron in different parts of body

Site of Action	Effects	Effective material	Dosage	Reference
Central nervous system	Anticonvulsant	Safranal Safranal Aqueous/ethanolic extracts of saffron	(0.15, 0.35 ml/kg) (72.75,145.5,291 mg/kg) (0.08-0.80 g/kg)/(0.2-2.0 g/kg)	24 25 26
	Reducing neurotransmitters release	Safranal	(291 mg/kg)	27
	Antidepressant	Kaempferol Aqueous extract of saffron Crocin Safranal Crocin Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stigma	(100, 200 mg/kg in mice) (50 mg/kg in rats) (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg/day) (12.5,25,50 mg/kg) (0.5 ml/kg) (50-600 mg/kg) (0.2-0.8 g/kg)	28 29 30 31
	Neuroprotective	Crocin	(10-50 μM)	32
	Anti-Parkinson, anti-Alzheimer, improves memory and learning skills	Crocin Crocetin	------- (8 mg/kg)	10 33
	Anxiolytic and hypnotic	Safranal Saffron aqueous extract	(0.15,0.35 ml/kg) (0.56 g/kg)	34
	Against cerebral ischemia, brain damage and memory deficits	Crocin Saffron extract	(25 mg/kg) (250 mg/kg)	35
	Reduction of morphine dependency	Crocin-Safranal	(different dosage)	36
Cardiovascular system and blood cells	Protective effect against myocardial infarction	Saffron extract Safranal	(20, 40, 80, 160 mg/kg/day) (0.025, 0.050, 0.075 ml/kg)	37
	Protective effect against cardiotoxicity	Crocin	(25,50 mg/kg/day)	38
	Effect on atherosclerosis	Crocin	(25,50,100 mg/kg/day)	39
	Effect on hypertension	Crocin	(12.5, 25,50 mg/kg)	40
	Hyperlipidemia (reduction of cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol)	Crocin	(25 to 100 mg/kg/day)	41
	Reduction of hematological toxicity	Safranal Crocin	(0.025, 0.05, 0.1 ml/kg) (50, 100, 200 mg/kg)	42
	No effect on coagulant and anticoagulant system	Saffron	(200, 400 mg/week)	43
	Decreasing of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets and increasing of sodium, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine	Saffron	(400 mg/week)	44
Immunity system	Against of infectious disease (measles, smallpox and scarlet fever) and antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal effects	Saffron components	------------	10
	Anti-nociceptive effect	Saffron Safranal	------------ (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 ml/kg)	45 46
	Analgesic and anti-inflammatory (earache, tooth-ache, swelling, otitis, anal pain, gout, cancer pain, gingivitis). Reduce the discomfort of teething infants	Saffron components	-------------	10, 47
Genital and urinary system	Ejaculation latency and erection disorders	Crocin Aqueous extract of saffron Saffron	(100, 200, 400mg/kg) (160 and 320mg/kg) (200mg)	4 48
	Effects on male Sexual behavior and female Sexual behavior such as premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)	Saffron	------------	16
	Improving renal function	Saffron	-------------	49
Eye	Lacrimation, poor eyesight, day blindness, retina and corneal disease and cataract. Increases blood flow in choroid	Saffron components	-------------	10
Skin	Sunscreen and moisturizing properties Used as emollient and anti-pruritic agent, add the shine, lighten the skin, reduce dark pigments, dark circles under the eyes, acne, pimple and treatment of other skin problems extensively	Liposomes containing safranal Lotions containing saffron	(8%) (4%)	50 51