Safranal

Safranal is an organic compound isolated from saffron, the spice consisting of the stigmas of crocus flowers (Crocus sativus). It is the constituent primarily responsible for the aroma of saffron.

Safranal

Safranal
Names
Preferred IUPAC name 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carbaldehyde
Identifiers
CAS Number	116-26-7 N
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:53169 Y
ChemSpider	55000 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.758
PubChem CID	61041
UNII	4393FR07EA Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID7049398
InChI InChI=1S/C10H14O/c1-8-5-4-6-10(2,3)9(8)7-11/h4-5,7H,6H2,1-3H3 Y Key: SGAWOGXMMPSZPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES O=C\C1=C(\C=C/CC1(C)C)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C10H14O
Molar mass	150.221 g·mol−1
Density	0.9734 g/cm3
Boiling point	70 °C (158 °F; 343 K) at 1 mmHg
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

It is believed that safranal is a degradation product of the carotenoid zeaxanthin via the intermediate picrocrocin.

Pharmacology

Safranal is an effective anticonvulsant in animal models, shown to act as an agonist at GABA_A receptors.^[1][2] Safranal also exhibits high antioxidant activity,^[3][4] along with cytotoxicity towards cancer cells in vitro.^[5] One of its anticancer mechanisms of action involves disruption of the normal assembly dynamics of cellular microtubules.^[6] It has also been shown to have antidepressant properties in animals and pilot studies in humans.^[7][8]

Natural sources

Natural sources of safranal include:^{[9][unreliable source?]}

• Microcystis (cyanobacterium)
• Aspalathus linearis (rooibos)
• Camellia sinensis (tea leaf)
• Crocus sativus (saffron)
• Ficus carica (fig leaf)
• Lycium chinense (wolfberry)
• Cuminum cyminum (cumin seed)^[10]
• Centaurea sibthorpii ^[11]
• Centaurea amanicola^[11]
• Centaurea consanguinea^[11]
• Erodium cicutarium (common stork's-bill or pinweed)^[11]
• Calycopteris floribunda (ukshi)^[11]
• Sambucus nigra (elderberry)^[11]
• Citrus limon (lemon)^[11]
• Achillea distans ^[11]