crocin i

Gardenia yellow (Crocin I) has anti atherosclerosis and hypolipidemic effects.

Crocin II (Crocetin gentiobiosylglucosyl ester) has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects against gastric ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, the effect of crocin is mainly mediated by reducing the protein expression of iNOS and caspase-3. Crocin II can ameliorate CCl4-induced liver injury via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines, caspase3 and oxidative stress along with modulation of liver metabolizing enzymes favoring elimination of CCl4 toxic metabolite. Crocin II has antihyperlipidemic effect, may be due to the inhibition of pancreatic lipase and crocin, and its metabolite, Crocin II , can improve hyperlipidemia. Crocin has antidepressant effects by increasing CREB, BDNF and VGF levels in hippocampus.

Crocin IV (Dicrocin), a crocetin glycoside from the carotenoid pigments, exhibits significant antioxidant activity [1].

Crocin III (Crocetin-mono-(β-D-gentiobiosyl)-ester) is a crocin derived from saffron (Crocus sutivus L.). Crocins inhibit the cell growth of tumor cells and have anti-inflammatory activity.

Crocin (Gardenia Yellow) is a water-soluble carotenoid pigment of saffron (Crocus sativus L. ) that has been used as a spice for flavoring and coloring food preparations, and in Chinese traditional medicine as an anodyne or tranquilizer. Crocin suppresses tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha-induced apoptosis of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells by modulating mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 family proteins, which trigger downstream signals culminating in caspase-3 activation followed by cell death. Crocin prevented the activation of nSMase by enhancing the transcription of gamma-glutamylcysteinyl synthase, which contributes to a stable glutathione supply that blocks the activity of nSMase.