These findings reveal crocetin's potential use as a calcium channel antagonist for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Crocetin is a major bioactive ingredient in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and has favorable cardiovascular effects. Here, the effects of crocetin on L-type Cacurrent (I), contractility, and the Catransients of rat cardiomyocytes, were investigated via patch-clamp technique and the Ion Optix system. A 600 µg/mL dose of crocetin decreased I31.50 ± 2.53% in normal myocytes and 35.56 ± 2.42% in ischemic myocytes, respectively. The current voltage nexus of the calcium current, the reversal of the calcium current, and the activation/deactivation of the calcium current was not changed. At 600 µg/mL, crocetin abated cell shorteningby 28.6 ± 2.31%, with a decrease in the time to 50% of the peak and a decrease in the time to 50% of the baseline. At 600 µg/mL, crocetin abated the crest value of the ephemeral Caby 31.87 ± 2.57%. The time to half maximal of Capeak and the time constant of decay of Catransient were both reduced. Our results suggest that crocetin inhibits L-type Cachannels, causing decreased intracellular Caconcentration and contractility in adult rat ventricular myocytes. These findings reveal crocetin's potential use as a calcium channel antagonist for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.