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Safranal
Safranal is an organic compound isolated from saffron, the spice consisting of the stigmas of crocus flowers (''Crocus sativus''). It is the constituent primarily responsible for the aroma of saffron. It is believed that safranal is a degradation product of the carotenoid zeaxanthin via the intermediate picrocrocin. Pharmacology Safranal is an effective anticonvulsant in animal models, shown to act as an agonist at GABAA receptors. Safranal also exhibits high antioxidant activity, along with cytotoxicity towards cancer cells ''in vitro''. One of its anticancer mechanisms of action involves disruption of the normal assembly dynamics of cellular microtubules. It has also been shown to have antidepressant properties in animals and pilot studies in humans. Natural sources Natural sources of safranal include: *'' Microcystis'' (cyanobacterium) *''Aspalathus linearis'' (rooibos) *''Camellia sinensis'' (tea leaf) *''Crocus sativus'' (saffron) *''Ficus carica'' (fig leaf) *'' Lycium ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Saffron
Saffron () is a spice derived from the flower of '' Crocus sativus'', commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. The saffron crocus was slowly propagated throughout much of Eurasia and was later brought to parts of North Africa, North America, and Oceania. Saffron's taste and iodoform-like or hay-like fragrance result from the phytochemicals picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a carotenoid pigment, crocin, which imparts a rich golden-yellow hue to dishes and textiles. Its quality is graded by the proportion of red stigma to yellow style, varying by region and affecting both potency and value. As of 2024, Iran produced some 90% of the world total for saffron. At US$5,000 per kg or higher, saffron has long been the world's costliest spice by weight. The English word saffron likely originates from the Old French ''safran'', which ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Picrocrocin
Picrocrocin is a monoterpene glycoside precursor of safranal. It is found in the spice saffron, which comes from the crocus flower. Picrocrocin has a bitter taste, and is the chemical most responsible for the taste of saffron. During the drying process, picrocrocin liberates the aglycone (HTCC, C10H16O2) due to the action of the enzyme glucosidase. The aglycone is then transformed to safranal by dehydration. Picrocrocin is a degradation product of the carotenoid zeaxanthin Zeaxanthin is one of the most common carotenoids in nature, and is used in the xanthophyll cycle. Synthesized in plants and some micro-organisms, it is the pigment that gives paprika (made from bell peppers), corn, saffron, goji ( wolfberries) .... References {{Glycosides Monoterpenes Terpenoid glycosides Glucosides Saffron Aldehydes Cyclohexenes ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin is one of the most common carotenoids in nature, and is used in the xanthophyll cycle. Synthesized in plants and some micro-organisms, it is the pigment that gives paprika (made from bell peppers), corn, saffron, goji ( wolfberries), and many other plants and microbes their characteristic color. The name (pronounced ''zee-uh-zan'-thin'') is derived from ''Zea mays'' (common yellow maize corn, in which zeaxanthin provides the primary yellow pigment), plus ''xanthos'', the Greek word for "yellow" (see xanthophyll). Xanthophylls such as zeaxanthin are found in highest quantity in the leaves of most green plants, where they act to modulate light energy and perhaps serve as a non-photochemical quenching agent to deal with triplet chlorophyll (an excited form of chlorophyll) which is overproduced at high light levels during photosynthesis. Zeaxanthin in guard cells acts as a blue light photoreceptor which mediates the stomatal opening. Animals derive zeaxanthin from ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cuminum Cyminum
Cumin (, ; ; ''Cuminum cyminum'') is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to the Irano-Turanian Region. Its seeds – each one contained within a fruit, which is dried – are used in the cuisines of many cultures in both whole and ground form. Although cumin is used in traditional medicine, there is no high-quality evidence that it is safe or effective as a therapeutic agent. Etymology and pronunciation The term comes via Middle English ''comyn'', from Old English ''cymen'' (which is cognate with Old High German ''kumin'') and Old French cummin, both from the Latin term . This in turn comes from the Ancient Greek (), a Semitic languages, Semitic borrowing related to Hebrew language, Hebrew () and Arabic (). All of these ultimately derive from Akkadian language, Akkadian (). The English word is traditionally pronounced (), like "coming" with an ⟨n⟩ instead of ⟨ng⟩ (/ŋ/)."Cumin." '' A Way with Words'' (Radio broadcast/podcast). 25 October 2014. Re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Calycopteris Floribunda
''Getonia'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Combretaceae. The only species is ''Getonia floribunda'', commonly known as ukshi. Its native range is India, Assam to Peninsula Malaysia. Description ''Getonia floribunda'' is a large climbing shrub which is 5–10 m long, with vines that are about 5–10 cm in diameter, the stem and leaves are said to have medicinal properties. Ukshi is found extensively in the low-lying tropical evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, and rarely in Eastern Ghats of coastal Andhra. These are also found in "''Kavus''" or the Sacred Groves of Kerala. Commonly known as kokkarai in Hindi, Minnarakoti in Tamil, Adivijama, in Telugu. The plant is also grown in central and southern parts of India Hepatoprotective Activity of Extracts from Stem of Calycopteris floribunda Lam. Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Toxicity in Rats M. Chinna Eswaraiah *, T. Satyanarayana It bears grey bark and tenuous branches with thick fl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Centaurea Sibthorpii
''Centaurea'' () is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich. Common names Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" (common knapweed). The ''Plectocephalus'' group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either ''Centaurea cyanus, C. cyanus'' (the annual cornflower) or ''Centaurea montana'' (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus ''Centaurium''.Keil (2006), Keil & Ochsmann (2006). The name is said to be in refere ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Centaurea Amanicola
''Centaurea'' () is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich. Common names Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" ( common knapweed). The ''Plectocephalus'' group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either '' C. cyanus'' (the annual cornflower) or '' Centaurea montana'' (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus '' Centaurium''.Keil (2006), Keil & Ochsmann (2006). The name is said to be in reference to Chiro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Centaurea Consanguinea
''Centaurea'' () is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich. Common names Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" (common knapweed). The ''Plectocephalus'' group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either '' C. cyanus'' (the annual cornflower) or ''Centaurea montana'' (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus ''Centaurium''.Keil (2006), Keil & Ochsmann (2006). The name is said to be in reference to Chiron, th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Erodium Cicutarium
''Erodium cicutarium'', also known as common stork's-bill, redstem filaree, redstem stork's bill or pinweed, is a herbaceous annual plant, annual – or in warm climates, biennial plant, biennial – member of the family Geraniaceae of flowering plants. It is native to Macaronesia, temperate Eurasia and north and northeast Africa, and was introduced to North America in the eighteenth century, where it has since become naturalized, particularly in the deserts and arid grasslands of the southwestern United States. Description Common stork's-bill is a perennial Monoecy, monoecious herb that typically grows in rosettes pressed flat to the ground, with a deep tap root that allows it to survive through the summer on dry soils. It can develop stems up to 60 cm long that are sometimes red and sometimes green, and may be erect or prostrate, and have simple or glandular hairs which become more abundant towards the top. Plants with glandular hairs are sticky, but those with simple hairs ar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Organic Compound
Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-containing compounds such as alkanes (e.g. methane ) and its derivatives are universally considered organic, but many others are sometimes considered inorganic, such as certain compounds of carbon with nitrogen and oxygen (e.g. cyanide ion , hydrogen cyanide , chloroformic acid , carbon dioxide , and carbonate ion ). Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. The study of the properties, reactions, and syntheses of organic compounds comprise the discipline known as organic chemistry. For historical reasons, a few classes of carbon-containing compounds (e.g., carbonate salts and cyanide salts), along with a few other exceptions (e.g., carbon dioxide, and even ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sambucus Nigra
''Sambucus nigra'' is a species complex of flowering plants in the family Viburnaceae native to most of Europe. Common names include elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, European elderberry, and European black elderberry. It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations. The plant is widely grown as an Ornamental plant, ornamental shrub or small tree. Both the flowers and the berries have a long tradition of culinary use, primarily for Elderflower cordial , cordial and wine. Although the plant is commonly used in dietary supplements and traditional medicine, there is no evidence-based medicine, scientific evidence that it provides any significant health benefit. Description Elderberry is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to tall and wide, rarely reaching tall. The bark, light gray when young, changes to a coarse gray outer bark with lengthwise furrowing, lenticels prominent. The leaves are arranged ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
