[ effect of crocin and its mechanism of action on chronic pain induced by spinal cord contusion in a rat model]

Various approaches have been offered for resolution of pain resulting from spinal cord injuries. One approach is the use of herbal and natural products. In the present research, as a preliminary study, we investigate the effect of crocin on chronic pain induced by contusion in the rat spinal cord [SCI]. We randomly divided female Wistar rats into five groups. Groups I and II were contused at the L1 level and immediately treated with crocin [50 mg/kg]. These groups were sacrificed after 2 hours and 1 week, respectively. The remaining three groups consisted of group III [control group], group IV [treated with crocin and no contusion], and group V [the contused group that underwent no treatment]. Groups III-V were sacrificed after one week. The mechanical behavioral test that used Von Frey hairs; the thermal behavioral test that used a hot-plate and the locomotor recovery test with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahn [BBB] scoring were conducted daily to evaluate the extent of injury and recovery of the rats. The calcitonin-gene related peptide [CGRP] was determined in the animals' plasma by the ELISA kit. The results showed a significant increase in plasma CGRP of contused rats that significantly reduced following crocin treatment. The behavioral tests were not changed significantly due to this treatment. The present study shows the beneficial effects of crocin treatment that may occur by decreasing CGRP on chronic pain induced by SCI. This project is continuing using higher dose of crocin for longer time.

[Quantitative and comparative analysis of major metabolites [crocin, picrocrocin and safranal] in different packages of Iranian saffron by HPLC]

Saffron is the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. which has various therapeutic properties in addition to its use as a spice. More than 80% of the world present production of saffron which is about 190 tons is produced in Iran. To compare the quality of saffron' from different parts of the world, researcher used one sample from each country. Since cultivation of saffron is done in different geographical areas of Iran, it seems that the results of these studies, using only one sample of Iranian saffron, are not consistent with the scientific and statistical rules. More over the results of therapeutical studies using saffron extracts from different sources with different concentrations of effective elements would not give reproducible results. As an affirmative reason, here we compared the saffron's important components, crocin, picrocrocin and safranal, from different packages produced by some companies. Five certified saffron packages, prepared by different companies named: Ehteshamiyeh, Tarvand, Abbaszadeh, Sabagh and Novin-Saffron were analyzed using HPLC with an UV/Vis detector. To avoid the conflict of inerest, these samples were randomly labeled as 1 to 5. Results indicated that all of the samples contained these ingredients at the standard levels, but the highest level of crocin as a carotenoid was seen in the sample 3, and sample 1 and 2 contained the highest concentrations of monoterpene aldehydes, picrocrocin and safranal, respectively. According to the obtained results and the vast area under the saffron cultivation with various climates, it is confirmed that one sample of saffron is not a measure of all of the Iranian saffron. Our research is continuing