Crocus sativus

Traditional knowledge can be used as a source for development of new medicines. In the present study, we compare the data on saffron in Razi’s Al-Hawi book with modern scientific studies. A computerized search of published articles was performed using MEDLINE, Scopus as well as native references. The search terms used were saffron, Crocus sativus, crocetin, crocin, safranal, Razi, and Al-Hawi. A variety of properties of saffron including diuretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, appetite suppressant, hypnotic, antidepressant, and bronchodilator effects were mentioned in Al-Hawi. Modern studies also confirmed most of these characteristics. This review indicates that the pharmacological data on saffron and its constituents are similar to those found in Razi’s Al-Hawi monograph and it can be concluded that ethnobotanical information and ancient sources have precious data about medicinal plants that lead to finding new compounds for treatment of several diseases.

This small paper presented during a session of the Oriental Department of the Russian Academy of sciences was a brief communication aiming to work on two aspects: Connections between Cretan Linear A with Anatolia and Indo-European languages, aspects of lexicology related to Linear A and a few aspects of Luwian names of ancient Cretan important cult places

Il est évident que notre futur article sur le sujet sera encore plus détaillé mais je pense que les thèmes exposés ci-dessous sauront vous montrer qu'il y a des éléments significatifs éclairant les relations entre les écritures égéo-crétoises et anatoliennes et ce que nous pouvons mettre en évidence sur la lexicologie crétoise de l'Âge du Bronze ou aussi «minoenne», nous reviendrons d'ailleurs sur le nom Minos un peu plus loin dans notre exposé.

Voici donc les points principaux.

A) aspects pictographiques de la documentation égéenne et courte analyse des passages d'écriture crétoise permettant de souligner des liens culturels entre l'Anatolie et la Crète de l'Âge du Bronze

B) lexicologie «minoenne»: petite étude des lexèmes transcrits en Linéaire A et comparaison avec des morphèmes connus en langues anatoliennes et indo-européennes

C) le disque de Phaïstos et les parallèles des sceaux de la période moyenne hittite, lien entre le pouvoir et le sacré

It is obvious that such a short paper cannot grasp all necessary elements related to these topics but there are some based and solid argumentations.

Thereby, by the end of February-March 2022, there will be an entire publication on the cult of the crocus in the Aegean world, a study of the entire lexemes in Linear B and A related to this plant and also its iconography in Aegean and ancient Egyptian world with the study of possible Anatolian connections.

Introduction: The present study investigated for the first time, the antihyperglycemic effect of tepals and leaves of Crocus sativus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The effect of these by-products were compared with that of saffron stigma and glibenclamide. Methods: Hydroethanolic extracts (stigmas, tepals and leaves) and glibenclamide were administered orally in aqueous solution daily for 21 days. In the present study, 36 male rats were used. Six rats were used in each group. Group 1: normal control rats (N), received distilled water; group 2: diabetic control rats (D), received distilled water; group 3: treated diabetic rats (TPL), received tepal (TPL) extract; group 4: treated diabetic rats (STG), received stigma (STG) extract; group 5: treated diabetic rats (LF), received leaf (LF) extract and group 6: treated diabetic rats (GLB), received glibenclamide (GLB). Blood glucose, body weight, water intake, urine elimination, plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, urea, creatinin...

Background: Oxymetholone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid, has been used to treat some diseases. The abuse of this compound, especially for muscle growth, has severe oxidative side effects on the liver and kidneys. Oxidative stress and free radicals are responsible for the development of various diseases. Phytochemicals are sources of polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, etc. and may act as scavengers of free radicals. Saffron (Crocus sativus) has considerable antioxidant properties, which may be useful in reversing or preventing these negative effects. Methods: To evaluate the effects of saffron on the liver and kidneys degenerative changes induced by oxymetholone, 24 male Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each as: a) sham (normal saline, 40 mg/kg/day), b) saffron control (40 mg/kg/day), c) oxymetholone (50 mg/rat), and d) treatment group [saffron (40 mg/kg/ day)+oxymetholone (50 mg/rat)]. The course of examination was 30 days. Results: After one month, the sham and saffron control groups had normal histological findings. The treatment group with saffron showed a significant reduction in the hepatic and renal degenerative changes induced by oxymetholone compared to those observed in group. Conclusion: Based on the histopathological results, the use of saffron produced protective effects against the degenerative changes in rats' liver and kidneys induced by oxymetholone.