Antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects of polar extracts from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) flowers

Saffron is cultivated exclusively to obtain the stigma of its flowers, which represents less than 10% of the flower weight. In fact, to achieve a single kg of dried stigma, more than 60 kg of floral bio-residues are produced. These bio-residues were reported as having high bioactivity and important contents in bioactive compounds. Before considering the use of these bioresidues in different applications, it is important to assess its cytotoxicity. Herein, the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of saffron flower polar extracts were evaluated. All samples showed antioxidant activity, despite the higher effectiveness of the hydroalcoholic extract. Up to the concentrations corresponding to the EC50 values obtained in the antioxidant activity assays, none of the extracts showed high cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cell lines. Accordingly, saffron flowers might be used in different applications such as the development of food supplements or pharmaceutical related products