Herbal plants have been used for folk medicine since immemorial times and still used in developing countries as the primary source of medical treatment. Thus, research has developed into investigating the potential properties and uses of terrestrial plants extracts for the preparation of potential nonmaterial based drugs for diseases including cancer. Many plant species are already being used to treat or prevent development of cancer. Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. Currently, cancer is the second leading cause of death and its incidence is expected to be more than heart disease in upcoming years. The most important considerable features of cancer cells are uncontrolled proliferation, up-regulated differentiation, and immortality. Therefore, there is a focus on treatment of cancer by using of the medicinal plants. One of the ancient pharmaceutical planets that used as medicinal plants in almost all cultures of the past to the present is saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its main constituents.

Crocin, is a color agent and a unique water-soluble carotenoid pigment of the stigmas of saffron. Anticancer activities of crocin and crocin derivatives have been demonstrated in a wide spectrum of human cancer and the research findings on pharmacological properties of saffron and its constituents are similar to findings as described by Avicenna. There are four chemical analogs of crocin, including crocin’s. All of these analoges are glycosides of trans- crocetin, as a carotenoid derivative. Among the four above mentioned crocin’s, crocin (crocin; alpha-crocin; crocetin digentiobiose ester) is the most abundant in saffron and has been extensively studied for its pharmacological effects. Crocin with the chemical structure of C44H64O24 is the major reddish yellow pigment of saffron and in the higher purity is purple to blue color. Crocin, as main active components of saffron, has showed strong beneficial properties for utilized in different industries such as pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic applications.