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PubMed1999

Effects of crocin analogs on ocular blood flow and retinal function.

Ischemic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are the leading ocular diseases that cause blindness. The etiology of these diseases is due in part to the reduction of blood flow in the retina and/or choroid. Crocin analogs isolated from Crocus sativus L. were found to significantly increase the blood flow in the retina and choroid and to facilitate retinal function recovery. Increased blood flow due to vasodilation presumably improves oxygenation and nutrient supply of retinal structures. These results indicated that crocin analogs could be used to treat ischemic retinopathy and/or age-related macular degeneration. It was noted that disaccharide analogs of crocin, such as crocin-1 and crocin-2, were less potent than monosaccharide analogs of crocin, such as crocin-3 and crocin-4, constituting an interesting structure-activity relationship.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Determination of the method of construction of 1650 B.C. wall paintings.

In this paper, a methodology of general applicability is presented for answering the question if an artist used a number of archetypes to draw a painting or if he drew it freehand. In fact, the contour line parts of the drawn objects that potentially correspond to archetypes are initially spotted. Subsequently, the exact form of these archetypes and their appearance throughout the painting is determined. The method has been applied to celebrated Thera Late Bronze Age wall paintings with full success. It has been demonstrated that the artist or group of artists has used seven geometrical archetypes and seven corresponding well-constructed stencils (four hyperbolae, two ellipses, and one Archimedes' spiral) to draw the wall painting "Gathering of Crocus" in 1650 B.C. This method of drawing seems to be unique in the history of arts and of great importance for archaeology, and the history of mathematics and sciences, as well.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

A concise history of gout and hyperuricemia and their treatment.

First identified by the Egyptians in 2640 BC, podagra (acute gout occurring in the first metatarsophalangeal joint) was later recognized by Hippocrates in the fifth century BC, who referred to it as 'the unwalkable disease'. The term is derived from the Latin word gutta (or 'drop'), and referred to the prevailing medieval belief that an excess of one of the four 'humors'--which in equilibrium were thought to maintain health--would, under certain circumstances, 'drop' or flow into a joint, causing pain and inflammation. Throughout history, gout has been associated with rich foods and excessive alcohol consumption. Because it is clearly associated with a lifestyle that, at least in the past, could only be afforded by the affluent, gout has been referred to as the 'disease of kings'. Although there is evidence that colchicine, an alkaloid derived from the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), was used as a powerful purgative in ancient Greece more than 2000 years ago, its first use as a selective and specific treatment for gout is attributed to the Byzantine Christian physician Alexander of Tralles in the sixth century AD. Uricosuric agents were first used at the end of the 19th century. In the modern era, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually the drugs of choice for treating acute gout. Perhaps the most important historical advance in the treatment of hyperuricemia was the development of xanthine oxidase inhibitors, which are effective in reducing plasma and urinary urate levels and have been shown to reverse the development of tophaceous deposits.

Arthritis, Gouty↗
PubMed2004

Case report: fatal poisoning with Colchicum autumnale.

INTRODUCTION: Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as the autumn crocus, contains alkaloid colchicine with antimitotic properties. CASE REPORT: A 76-year-old man with a history of alcoholic liver disease and renal insufficiency, who mistakenly ingested Colchicum autumnale instead of wild garlic (Aliium ursinum), presented with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea 12 hours after ingestion. On admission the patient had laboratory signs of dehydration. On the second day the patient became somnolent and developed respiratory insufficiency. The echocardiogram showed heart dilatation with diffuse hypokinesia with positive troponin I. The respiratory insufficiency was further deteriorated by pneumonia, confirmed by chest X-ray and later on by autopsy. Laboratory tests also revealed rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy and deterioration of renal function and hepatic function. The toxicological analysis disclosed colchicine in the patient's urine (6 microgram/l) and serum (9 microgram/l) on the second day. Therapy was supportive with hydration, vasopressors, mechanical ventilation and antibiotics. On the third day the patient died due to asystolic cardiac arrest. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Colchicine poisoning should be considered in patients with gastroenterocolitis after a meal of wild plants. Management includes only intensive support therapy. A more severe clinical presentation should be expected in patients with pre-existing liver and renal diseases. The main reasons for death are cardiovascular collapse, respiratory failure and leukopenia with infection.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Analytical method for Buddleja colorants in foods.

Buddleja yellow colorant derived from Buddleja officinalis Maxim. has recently been approved for use as a new kind of natural colorant for food additives in China. In order to distinguish Buddleja yellow colorant from other yellow colorants, two known phenylpropanoid glycosides, acteoside (= verbascoside) and poliumoside, were isolated from the colorant as marker substances for Buddleja yellow colorant. Poliumoside has not been detected in B. officinalis Maxim. previously. These phenylpropanoid glycosides were not detected in the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis or in the stamens of the flowers of Crocus sativus L., which also contain crocetin derivatives as coloring components, using a photodiode array and mass chromatograms. Thus, an analytical HPLC method was developed to distinguish foods that have been colored with yellow colorants containing crocetin derivatives, using phenylpropanoid glycosides as markers.

Food Analysis↗
PubMed2000

[The smooth endoplasmic reticulum develops in mesophyll cells of early-spring ephemerals].

A study was made of the mesophyll cell ultrastructure of early-spring ephemerals Scilla sibirica, Crocus vernus, Galanthus caucasicus, G. plicatus, Leucojum vernum, Muscari szovitsianum, Ornithogalum balansae of summer-vegetating. Scilla scilloides and of S. sibirica growing in greenhouse. The highly developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) was a distinctive feature of the early-spring ephemeral mesophyll cell during leaf growth (cell expansion). Direct connections of SER-compartments with the tonoplast were found (SER and vacuole cavities were continuous). On running through the cytosol the SER tubules were in close contact with the plasma membrane. SER was not found during the same period of cell expansion in summer-vegetating Scilla scilloides and S. sibirica growing in greenhouse, as well as in mature cells of all investigated plants. The role of SER in the adaptation of early-spring ephemerals to drastic temperature fluctuations is discussed.

Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth↗
PubMed2002

[Colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of the bulbs of Sandersonia aurantiaca: report of a case].

We report a case of colchicine poisoning in an 82-year-old woman. She had suffered from senile dementia and in her confused state ingested two bulbs of Sandersonia aurantiaca (Christmas-bells, Chinese lantern lily). She was admitted complaining of gastrointestinal symptoms, mainly severe watery diarrhea. The duration of her diarrhea was approximately 40 hours. On the 3rd day after ingestion, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred. Although 50 micrograms of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was administered from the 5th day to the 8th day, her white blood cell count did not increase and revealed nadir (100/microliter) on the 7th day. Her platelet count also revealed nadir on the 7th day. She died of respiratory failure in the early morning of the 9th day. The bulb of Sandersonia was found to contain colchicine at a concentration of 4.7 mg/g, and her serum level of colchicine was 6.3 ng/ml on the 6th day. Colchicine is an alkaroid extractable from the plants like Colchicum autumnale (meadow saffron, autumn crocus), and Gloriosa supra tuber. These plants belong to the lily family. Sandersonia aurantiaca also belongs to the lily family and we found that its bulb contained colchicine. To our knowledge, this is the first report of colchicine poisoning by Sandersonia aurantiaca.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The effect of saffron on intracellular DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in malignant and non-malignant human cells.

Extract of saffron (Crocus sativis) has previously been shown to inhibit colony formation and cellular DNA and RNA synthesis by HeLa cells in vitro. In order to compare the sensitivity of malignant and non-malignant cells to saffron, we examined the effect of the extract on macromolecular synthesis in three human cell lines: A549 cells (derived from a lung tumor), WI-38 cells (normal lung fibroblasts) and VA-13 cells (WI-38 cells transformed in vitro by SV40 tumor virus). We found that the malignant cells were more sensitive than the normal cells to the inhibitory effects of saffron on both DNA and RNA synthesis. There was no effect on protein synthesis in any of the cells.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1992

Effect of saffron on cell colony formation and cellular nucleic acid and protein synthesis.

A concentrated extract of saffron was prepared from the flowers of Crocus sativis. The effect of this extract on the ability of HeLa cells to form colonies, and on cellular DNA, RNA and protein synthesis was examined. Incubation of cells with extract for 3 h resulted in significant inhibition of colony formation and cellular nucleic acid synthesis with 50% inhibition at concentrations of approximately 100-150 micrograms/ml. In contrast there was no inhibition of cellular protein synthesis at concentrations of extract as high as 400 micrograms/ml.

Carotenoids↗
PubMed2006

Effects of crocetin on antioxidant enzymatic activities in cardiac hypertrophy induced by norepinephrine in rats.

Crocetin, a carotenoid isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine Crocus sativus L. (Saffron), has been shown to have cardiovascular protective effects. The present study investigated the protective action of the antioxidant crocetin against cardiac hypertrophy induced by norepinephrine (NE). This was evaluated by assaying for pathological histological changes with an optical microscope and cell image analysis system. Lipid peroxidation was quantified using thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Myocardial superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and myocardial catalase (CAT) activities were assayed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. After long term treatment with NE, antioxidant enzymatic activities were significantly decreased, while products of lipid peroxidation increased. Crocetin markedly reduced the content of lipid peroxidation (LPO), increased the GSH-Px and SOD activity in cardiac hypertrophy, and significantly improved the myocardial pathological histological changes induced by NE. These results suggest that the cardioprotective effects of crocetin are related to modulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymatic activities. Comparing crocetin with captopril, our results indicated that antioxidant activity is an important factor in the therapy of cardiac hypertrophy, but as an antioxidant only, its effects may be limited.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed2006

[Occupational allergy caused by ornamental plants].

The problem of allergy to decorative plants is still poorly known. Reports on occupational allergy to flowers are scarce and usually concern gardeners, greenhouse workers and florists. The handling, smelling and caring of flowers may cause rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, urticaria and also contact dermatitis. Plants of the Compositae family that includes many different species have been frequently described. Chrysanthemum flowers, the strongest sensitizer among ornamental Compositae plants, especially contribute to the development of contact dermatitis. Allergy to Liliaceae, mostly to tulips, hyacinths, lilies and crocuses has quite often been reported as well as sensitization to rose pollen in rose planters. Occupational sensitization to flowers of other families, among which spathe flowers, primulas, weeping fig or Stephanotis floribunda should be mentioned, is less frequent. Exposure to ornamental flowers is common in the general population. Persons occupationally involved in cultivation of flowers and who demonstrate allergic symptoms are often forced to change their jobs. Candidates to these occupations with diagnosed atopy should be informed about the risk of developing allergy to flowers, which could make them unable to perform the job.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1990

[Meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) in hay and colic in horses].

Following feeding of a new delivery of hay (bought in Southern Germany) 3 horses out of a unit of 17 developed colic within a few days one horse died. Post-mortem there was an intensive accumulation of serous or serous-haemorrhagic fluid in the thorax and abdomen. The hay was heavily contaminated by autumn crocus (colchicum autumnale)--about 1.48% of total mass. Other feedstuffs were of good quality and following removal of the affected hay no further cases of colic occurred. The pathological findings also indicated a colchicine intoxication.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibition of colony formation of Hela cells by naturally occurring and synthetic agents.

The present study compared the effects of naturally occurring extracts or compound in combination with synthetic selenium compounds on the colony formation and nucleic acid synthesis of cultured human cervical epitheloid carcinoma cells (Hela). Crude extract of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) or purified lectin from red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in combination with selenomethionine were more effective in inhibiting the colony formation of Hela cells than when these cells were treated with these agents alone. Extracts of saffron (Crocus sativus) and selenite have previously been shown to inhibit the colony formation and nucleic acid synthesis by Hela cells in vitro. In the present study we examined the effects of saffron extract in combination with selenite on the colony formation and DNA and RNA synthesis in Hela cells. We found that the treatment of tumor Hela cells with saffron extract in combination with selenite increased the level of inhibition of the colony formation and nucleic acid synthesis in comparison with cells that were treated with only one of these agents. The inhibitory effect of saffron extract in combination with selenite was modified by intracellular sulfhydryl compounds.

Cell Division↗
PubMed2006

Total antioxidant capacity of spices, dried fruits, nuts, pulses, cereals and sweets consumed in Italy assessed by three different in vitro assays.

With the aim to expand the Italian total antioxidant capacity (TAC) database, the TAC values of 11 spices, 5 dried fruits, 7 sweets, 18 cereal products, 5 pulses, and 6 nuts were determined using three different assays and considering the contribution of bound antioxidant compounds in fiber-rich foods (i. e. cereals, legumes, and nuts). Among spices, saffron displayed the highest antioxidant capacity, whereas among dried fruits, prune exhibited the highest value. The TAC values of all the chocolates analyzed were far higher than the other sweet extracts measured. Among cereal products, whole meal buckwheat and wheat bran had the greatest TAC. Among pulses and nuts, broad bean, lentil and walnuts had the highest antioxidant capacity, whereas chickpeas, pine nuts and peanuts were less effective. The contribution of bound phytochemicals to the overall TAC was relevant in cereals as well as in nuts and pulses. The complete TAC database could be utilized to properly investigate the role of dietary antioxidants in disease prevention.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2001

Fluorescence polarization: analysis of carbohydrate-protein interaction.

Fluorescence polarization has been widely used for the studies on the molecular motion in solution and has been applied to immunoassays for proteins, therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical pharmacy, and assays for environmentally toxic compounds. Because fluorescence polarization is most readily applicable to the kinetic analysis of the binding reaction between a substance having small molecular mass and a receptor molecule, this method is easily applied to the analysis of carbohydrate-lectin binding. In this tutorial Thematic Review, we briefly introduce the principles of fluorescence polarization and some applications of fluorescence polarization technique to glycobiology.

Aspergillus oryzae↗