Safranal
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Safranal | |
---|---|
Chemical name | 2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3- cyclohexadiene-1-carboxaldehyde |
Chemical formula | C10H14O |
Molecular mass | 150.21 g/mol |
CAS number | [116-26-7] |
Density | 0.9734 g/cm3 |
Melting point | ? °C |
Boiling point | 70 °C at 1 mmHg |
SMILES | CC1(C)C(C=O)=C(C)C=CC1 |
Disclaimer and references |
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 intermediacy of picrocrocin.
[edit] Pharmacology
Safranal is an effective anticonvulsant shown to act as an agonist at GABAA receptors [1][2]. Safranal also exhibits high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity [3][4], along with cytotoxicity towards cancer cells in vitro [5].
[edit] References
- ^ Hosseinzadeh H, Talebzadeh F. (2005). "Anticonvulsant evaluation of safranal and crocin from Crocus sativus in mice.". Fitoterapia. 76 (7–8): 722–4. PMID 16253437.
- ^ Hosseinzadeh H, Sadeghnia HR. (2006). "Protective effect of safranal on pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in the rat: Involvement of GABAergic and opioids systems.". Phytomedicine. ? (?): ?. PMID 16707256.
- ^ Hosseinzadeh H, Sadeghnia HR. (2005). "Safranal, a constituent of Crocus sativus (saffron), attenuated cerebral ischemia induced oxidative damage in rat hippocampus.". J Pharm Pharm Sci. 8 (3): 394–9. PMID 16401389.
- ^ Assimopoulou AN, Sinakos Z, Papageorgiou VP. (2005). "Radical scavenging activity of Crocus sativus L. extract and its bioactive constituents.". Phytother Res. 19 (11): 997–1000. PMID 16317646.
- ^ Escribano J, Alonso GL, Coca-Prados M, Fernandez JA. (1996). "Crocin, safranal and picrocrocin from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) inhibit the growth of human cancer cells in vitro.". Cancer Lett. 100 (1–2): 23–30. PMID 8620447.