Quality and functionality of saffron: quality control, species assortment and affinity of extract and isolated saffron compounds to NMDA and sigma-1 receptors

Extracts from saffron are used for treatment of cancer and depression. Because of known quality problems HPLC methods on RP18 2.5µm and monolitic RP18 material were developed for quality control including the quantification of crocins 1 to 5, crocetin, picrocrocin and the degradation products cis-crocins. A GC-MS method allowed detection and quantification of the volatile compounds from saffron pentane extract. Both systems together allowed comprehensive characterization of saffron herbal material and extracts for clinical/preclinical trials. Based on a wide analytical survey of saffron from the global market a specification for high-quality saffron of >20% crocins, >6% picrocrocin and not less than 0.3% of volatiles, calculated as sum of safranal, isophorone and ketoisophorone, was developed.

Because no detailed pharmacological effects are available to explain the clinical effects of saffron for treatment of cancer and depression receptor binding studies were performed. Saffron extracts and crocetin had clear binding capacity at the PCP binding side of NMDA receptor and at the sigma-1 receptor, while the crocin isomers and picrocrocin were not effective. These data give biochemical support for the above mentioned pharmacological effects of saffron.