Safranal

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Safranal
Safranal
IUPAC name 2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-
cyclohexadiene-1-carboxaldehyde
Identifiers
CAS number [116-26-7]
SMILES CC1(C)C(C=O)=C(C)C=CC1
Properties
Molecular formula C10H14O
Molar mass 150.21 g/mol
Density 0.9734 g/cm3
Boiling point

70 °C at 1 mmHg
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox 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]. It has also been shown to have antidepressant properties.[6][7]

[edit] Natural sources

Natural sources of safranal include:[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hosseinzadeh H, Talebzadeh F. (2005). "Anticonvulsant evaluation of safranal and crocin from Crocus sativus in mice.". Fitoterapia. 76 (7–8): 722–4. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2005.07.008. PMID 16253437. 
  2. ^ 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. 
  3. ^ 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. 
  4. ^ 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. doi:10.1002/ptr.1749. PMID 16317646. 
  5. ^ 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. doi:10.1016/0304-3835(95)04067-6. PMID 8620447. 
  6. ^ Antidepressant effect of Crocus sativus L. stigma extracts and their constituents, crocin and safranal, in mice.. www.cababstractsplus.org. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  7. ^ Comparison of Crocus sativus L. and imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: A pilot double-blind randomized trial [ISRCTN45683816]. www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  8. ^ List of Chemicals. sun.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
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