• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.138-144
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• 2024

Crocin은 여러 가지 요리에 향미와 색깔을 주는 치자 열매나 사프란에 함유되어 있는 적노란색의 수용성 색소이다. 사프란과 치자는 전통의학 분야에서 부종, 해열, 해독 작용이 있어 바이러스성 간염, 식도염, 관상동맥심장병, 신경쇠약, 불면증, 퇴행성 신경질환, 호흡기 질환, 비뇨기 질환 등을 치료하는데 사용되어 왔다. Crocin (C₄₄H₆₄O₂₄)은 카로테노이드의 복합체로, dicarboxylic acid crocetin과 disaccharide gentiobiose로 이루어진 diester이다. Crocin은 혈액학적인, 병리학적인 독성이나 유전독성이 없다. 현재까지 수많은 생체 내 및 생체 외 연구들을 통해 Crocin의 생물학적인 약리작용이 밝혀지고 있다. 본 총설에서는 염증성 장질환, 위염, 천식, 동맥경화, 류머티스 관절염, 다발성 경화증, 당뇨, 알츠하이머병, 파킨슨병, 우울증 등의 염증 관련 질환에서 Crocin의 보호 효과를 요약한다. Crocin은 다양한 작용 기전을 통해 항염, 항산화, 세포 자살 방지 기능을 함으로써 이들 질환을 개선하는 것으로 추론된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.221-228
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the effect of crocin in methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced diabetic male mice. Methods: Seventy 1-month-old male NMRI mice weighing 20-25 g were divided into seven groups (n=10): sham, MGO (600 mg/kg/day), MGO+crocin (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/day), MGO+metformin (150 mg/kg/day), and crocin (60 mg/kg/day). MGO was administered orally for 30 days. Starting on day 14, after confirming hyperglycemia, metformin and crocin were administered orally. On day 31, plasma and tissue samples were prepared for experimental assessments. Results: Blood glucose and insulin levels in the MGO group were higher than those in the sham group (p<0.001), and decreased in response to metformin (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (not at all doses). Testis width and volume decreased in the MGO mice and improved in the crocin-treated mice (p<0.05), but not in the metformin group. Superoxide dismutase levels decreased in diabetic mice (p<0.05) and malondialdehyde levels increased (p<0.001). Crocin and metformin improved malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. Testosterone (p<0.001) and sperm count (p<0.05) decreased in the diabetic mice, and treatment with metformin and crocin recovered these variables. Luteinizing hormone levels increased in diabetic mice (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (but not metformin) attenuated this increase. Seminiferous diameter and height decreased in the diabetic mice and increased in the treatment groups. Vacuoles and ruptures were seen in diabetic testicular tissue, and crocin improved testicular morphology (p<0.01). Conclusion: MGO increased oxidative stress, reduced sex hormones, and induced histological problems in male reproductive organs. Crocin and metformin improved the reproductive damage caused by MGO-induced diabetes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.1499-1506
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• 2016

Background: Crocus sativus and its major constituent crocin are well established to have anti-cancer properties in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). However the role of C. sativus extract (CSE) and crocin on caspase signaling mediated MCF-7 cell death at molecular level is remains unclear. In this study, we tried to unravel role of CSE and crocin on caspase mediated MCF-7 cells death and their in vivo preclinical toxicity profiling and immune stimulatory effect. Materials and Methods: CSE extract was fractionated by HPLC and crocin was isolated and characterized by NMR, IR, and MS. MCF-7 cells were treated with both CSE and crocin and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was assessed after 24 and 36 hours. Furthermore, caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 expression was determined by Western blotting after 24 hours of treatment. DNA fragmentation analysis was performed for genotoxicity of CSE and crocin in MCF-7 cells. The in vivo toxicity profile of CSE (300 mg/kg of b.wt) was investigated in normal Swiss albino mice. In addition, peritoneal macrophages were collected from crocin (1, 1.5 and 2 mg/kg body weight) treated mice and analyzed for ex vivo yeast phagocytosis. Results: Immunoblot analysis revealed that there was time dependent decline in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 with simultaneous upregulation of Bax in CSE and crocin treated MCF-7 cells. Further CSE and crocin treatment downregulated caspase 8 and 9 and cleaved the caspase 3 after 24 hours. Both CSE and crocin elicited considerable DNA damage in MCF-7 cells at each concentration tested. In vivo toxicity profile by histological studies revealed no observable histopathologic differences in the liver, kidney, spleen, lungs and heart in CSE treated and untreated groups. Crocin treatment elicited significant dose and time dependent ex vivo yeast phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages. Conclusions: Our study delineated involvement of pro-apoptotic and caspase mediated MCF-7 cell death by CSE and crocin at the molecular level accompanied with extensive DNA damage. Further we found that normal swiss albino mice can tolerate the maximum dose of CSE. Crocin enhanced ex vivo macrophage yeast phagocytic ability.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.51-57
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• 2011

치자의 항산화 활성과 유지산화 지연효과를 측정하고 활성을 보인 분획에서 주성분인 geniposide와 crocin을 분리하고 그 구조를 확인하였다. 여러 분획 중 부탄올 분획과 물 분획의 항산화성이 가장 우수함을 확인하고 그 분획의 주성분으로 분리된 geniposide와 crocin의 단일물질로서의 항산화력을 측정 비교한 결과, crocin의 항산화력이 더 강함을 알 수 있었다. 특히 SOD 유사활성 시험에서 여러 분획의 활성이 총 메탄올 추출물보다도 낮음에 비하여 crocin 단일 물질은 양성 대조군 cholorogenic acid의 $EC_{50}$ 값 453 ppm에 비하여 절반정도 낮은 $EC_{50}$값 259 ppm으로 매우 높은 활성을 보였다. 유지 산화 지연효과도 치자의 총 메탄올 추출물 250 ppm 이상의 농도에서의 AI값은 BHA 1000 ppm에서의 AI값 1.66 보다 큰 1.81 이상임을 보여 유지 산화 지연효과가 우수함을 나타내었다. 이 논문의 연구결과로 치자의 항산화 기능성 식품 및 첨가제로서의 개발가능성이 확인되었다고 사료된다.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.277-283
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• 2018

Objectives: Ethanol withdrawal following its chronic use is a serious outcome and challenging to treatment. The chronic use of ethanol induces a progressive neuroplasticity in different reigns of brain. In this study we evaluated the effects of aqueous extract of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) and its active compound, crocin, on the withdrawal behavior induced after repeated administration of ethanol, in two regimens of prophylactic (administration of drugs concomitant with the induction of dependence) and treatment (administration of drugs during the period of ethanol withdrawal) in mice which received ethanol. Methods: Ethanol dependence was induced by oral administration of 10% v/v ethanol (2 g/kg) for 7 days. The aqueous extracts of saffron (40, 80 and 160) and crocin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) were administered to mice in two regimens of prophylactic (along with ethanol) and treatment (during withdrawal period). Diazepam (1 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. Six hours after discontinuation of the ethanol, seizure was evaluated by the sub-convulsive dose of pentyleneltetrazole (PTZ) (30 mg/kg). The open field test and Rota rod test were used for evaluation of locomotor activity and motor incoordination, respectively. Results: Both extracts and crocin increased the number of crossed lined in the open field test. PTZ kindling seizure was inhibited in animals received extract (80 and 160 mg/kg) in both regimens. Motor incoordination was only improved following administration of crocin. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of saffron and crocin can be considered as safe agents and reliable alternative to diazepam in management of ethanol withdrawal syndrome.

• 대한미생물학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.33-40
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• 1974

Mycobacteria의 Crocin 첨가 결핵균 배지상의 보라색 색소형성과 광선조사, 호혐기상태, Crocin의 농도 및 배양시간과의 관계를 조사하고 비정형 Mycobactia의 색소형성 특성에 따른 군분류 동정에 대하여 기술하였다. 광색정군 M. kansasii는 양성으로 음성인 M. marinum과 감별이 되었으며, 색정군 M. scrofulaceum은 음성으로서 양성인 M. aquae와, 조기발육군 M. fortuitum은 3일 배양검사에서 양성으로 M. smegmatis로 부터 본류 동정이 각각 가능하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.156-162
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• 2016

Iridoid glycosides (mainly geniposide) and crocetin derivatives (crocins) are the two major active constituents in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. In the present study, geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin were separated from gardenia chromatographically. Then, mice were orally administrated with geniposide (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocins (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocin-1 (400 mg/kg b.w.) and crocetin (140 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 7 days with $CCl_4$. Hepatoprotective properties were evaluated by biochemical parameters: Administration of geniposide, crocins, crocin-1and crocetin significantly lowered serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in $CCl_4$-treated mice. The reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities were also increased by geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin. Histopathological examination of livers showed that these components reduced deformability, irregular arrangement and rupture of hepatocyte in $CCl_4$-treated mice. These biochemical results and liver histopathological assessment demonstrated that geniposide, crocetin derivatives and crocetin show comparative beneficial effects on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage via induction of antioxidant defense. Therefore, contents of geniposide and crocetin derivatives should be both considered for hepatoprotective efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.26-33
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• 1981

Crocin was extracted from Gardenia fructus in order to manufacture a natural food dye. In the extraction and purification process methanol and ethanol were used as the most Suitable solvent selected in preliminary test and 9.28%g/100g of Cretin product in 99.89% of purity was acquired. The lethal dose of Cretin administered in mouse by intra peridoneal was 5.36g/kg which is much lower toxic than any other. The toxic dose which caused diarrhoea in rat was 2.55g/kg and maximum no effect level was found to be 272mg/kg. From the $1%{\sim}2.5%$ content of Crocin in rat diet reduction of body weight appeared and GTP and GOT (Transaminase) value in creased significantly. Crocin showed a good properties of tolerating acid, alkali, sunlight, reductant, oxidant, and salt compared with tar dyes. The range from 100 ppm to 500ppm bring out bright $yellow{\sim}orange$ color, the most effective color, with a good solubility in water-slightly in oil. The acceptable daily intake of crocin was calculated as 2.72mg/kg based on maximum no effect dose (2% additive dose).

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

Objective: D-galactose (D-gal) is well-known agent to induce aging process. In the present study, we selected crocin, the main constituent of Crocus sativus L. (saffron), against D-gal- induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: Pretreated cells with crocin ($25-500{\mu}M$, 24 h) were exposed to D-gal (25-400 mM, 48 h). The MTT assay was used for determination cell viability. Dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay (DCF-DA) and senescence associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase staining assay (SA-${\beta}$-gal) were used to evaluate the generation of reactive oxygen species and beta-galactosidase as an aging marker, respectively. Also advanced glycation end products (AGEs) expression which is known as the main mechanism of age-related diseases was measured by western blot analysis. Results: The findings of our study showed that treatment of cells with D-gal (25-400 mM) for 48h decreased cell viability concentration dependency. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels which are known as main factors in age-related diseases increased from $100{\pm}8%$ in control group to $132{\pm}22%$ in D-gal (200 mM) treated cells for 48h. The cytotoxic effects of D-gal decreased with 24h crocin pretreatment of cells. The cell viability at concentrations of $100{\mu}M$, $200{\mu}M$ and $500{\mu}M$ increased and ROS production decreased at concentrations of 200 and $500{\mu}M$ to $111.5{\pm}6%$ and $108{\pm}5%$, respectively. Also lysosomal biomarker of aging and carboxymethyl lysine (CML) expression as an AGE protein, significantly increased in D-gal 200 mM group after 48h incubation compare to control group. Pre-treatment of SHSY-5Y cells with crocin ($500{\mu}M$) before adding D-gal significantly reduced aging marker and CML formation. Conclusion: Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with crocin before adding of D-gal restored aging effects of D-gal concentration dependency. These findings indicate that crocin has potent anti- aging effects through inhibition of AGEs and ROS production.

• 대한미생물학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.53-62
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• 1986

An attempt was made to verify the antibacterial activities of the soluble extracts of Gardenia jasminoides(SEGJ) against mycobacteria other than tubercle bacilli (MOTT); M. kansasii, M. scrofulaceum, M. simiae, M. szulgai, M.xenopi, M. avium-intracellulare complex, M. gordonae and M. flarescens. In addition, the effect of the SEGJ on the yellow pigmentation and violet pigmentation (crocin reaction) of the colonies of the MOTT grown on7H10-crocin agar plates was observed. The SEGJ gave a growth stimulatory activity against most species of mycobacteria except for M. szulgai at low concentration of the SEGJ in terms of crocin pigment OD=0.02 or less, but exerted an inhibitory activity at high concentration of OD=0.04 or more. The growth-inhibitory activity of the SEGJ was dose-dependent but the yellow pigmentation of the scotochromogens was not affected by the dose of the SEGJ that was growth-inhibitory. Crocin positive reaction was observed only with M. kansasii.