Crocin is a water-soluble carotenoid pigment of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Crocin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, anti-asthma, anti-cancer, and hypolipidemic effects.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (Safflomin A) inhibited adipogenesis by increasing HSL promoter activities. Hydroxysafflor yellow A can effectively protect the liver from long-term alcohol injury by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting the expression of TGF-β. It prevents steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head by inhibiting primary bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. Also, Hydroxysafflor yellow A has anti-tumor effects.

Crocetine dimethyl ester (Dimethylcrocetin) is a saffronin derivative with antioxidant activity, inhibition of AChE activity, and inhibition of cell growth and differentiation.

Crocin II (Crocetin gentiobiosylglucosyl ester) has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects against gastric ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, the effect of crocin is mainly mediated by reducing the protein expression of iNOS and caspase-3. Crocin II can ameliorate CCl4-induced liver injury via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines, caspase3 and oxidative stress along with modulation of liver metabolizing enzymes favoring elimination of CCl4 toxic metabolite. Crocin II has antihyperlipidemic effect, may be due to the inhibition of pancreatic lipase and crocin, and its metabolite, Crocin II , can improve hyperlipidemia. Crocin has antidepressant effects by increasing CREB, BDNF and VGF levels in hippocampus.

Crocin (Gardenia Yellow) is a water-soluble carotenoid pigment of saffron (Crocus sativus L. ) that has been used as a spice for flavoring and coloring food preparations, and in Chinese traditional medicine as an anodyne or tranquilizer. Crocin suppresses tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha-induced apoptosis of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells by modulating mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 family proteins, which trigger downstream signals culminating in caspase-3 activation followed by cell death. Crocin prevented the activation of nSMase by enhancing the transcription of gamma-glutamylcysteinyl synthase, which contributes to a stable glutathione supply that blocks the activity of nSMase.

Safranal is the special volatile aroma compound of saffron

Gardenia yellow (Crocin I) has anti atherosclerosis and hypolipidemic effects.

Safflor Yellow A protects cultured rat cardiomyocytes against A/R injury, maybe via inhibiting cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Transcrocetinate disodium (Disodium trans-crocetinate), extracted from saffron (Crocus sativus L.), is a high-affinity antagonist of NMDA receptor.

Picrocrocin is a natural product

Transcrocetin (8,8'-Diapocarotenedioic Acid) is a singlet oxygen quencher.