title: [Studies on the pharmacological effects of saffron(Crocus sativus L.)--a review].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reviewing the studies on the chemical components and medicinal value.
  
  
  METHODS
  Philological method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Saffron is a conventional effective medicine in improving blood circulation and curing the bruise. The late of evidesnces indicate that saffron possesses anticancer activity against a wide spectrum of tumors, such as leukemia, ovarian carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma. It has low biochemical toxic effects on animals. In addition, saffron can be used to cure coronary heart disease and hepatitis, and to promote immunity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Saffron is a highly valuable medicine. And producing it in a large quantity has a wide application prosperity.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Zhi-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Zhao-lin
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027622:Crocus / Q000737:chemistry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000266:history / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal