Crocus sativus L. belonging to the family Iridaceae (syn - kesar) comprises the dried red stigma and is widely cultivated in Iran and other countries such as India and Greece. Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds mainly terpenes, terpene alcohol, and their esters. The bitter taste and an iodoform or hay-like fragrance are caused by chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. C. sativus possesses a number of medicinally important activities such as antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antitussive, antigenototoxic and cytotoxic effects, anxiolytic aphrodisiac, antioxidant, antidepressant, antinociceptive , anti-inflammatory, and relaxant activity. It also improves memory and learning skills, and increases blood flow in retina and choroid. The present review explores the historical background, chemical constituents, pharmacological actions, uses, substitutes and adulterants, and toxicity. It also deals with its evaluation, formulations, and chemical tests in detail.

Wrightia tinctoria R. Br. belongs to family Apocynaceae commonly called as Sweet Indrajao, Pala Indigo Plant, Dyer's Oleander. “Jaundice curative tree” in south India. Sweet Indrajao is a small, deciduous tree with a light gray, scaly smooth bark. Native to India and Burma, Wrightia is named after a Scottish physician and botanist William Wright (1740-1827). Sweet Indrajao is called dhudi (Hindi) because of its preservative nature. The juice of the tender leaves is used efficaciously in jaundice. Crushed fresh leaves when filled in the cavity of decayed tooth relieve toothache. In Siddha system of medicine, it is used for psoriasis and other skin diseases. Oil 777 prepared out of the fresh leaves of the plant has been assigned to analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic activities and to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. The plant is reported to contain presence of flavanoid, glycoflavones-iso-orientin, and phenolic acids. The various chemical constituents isolated from various parts of the plant are reported as 3,4-Seco-lup-20 (29)-en-3-oic acid, lupeol, stigmasterol and campetosterol, Indigotin, indirubin, tryptanthrin, isatin, anthranillate and rutin Triacontanol, Wrightial, cycloartenone, cycloeucalenol, β-amyrin, Alpha-Amyrin, and β-sitosterol, 14α-methylzymosterol. Four uncommon sterols, desmosterol, clerosterol, 24-methylene-25-methylcholesterol, and 24-dehydropollinastanol, were isolated and identified in addition to several more common phytosterols. The Triterpinoids components of the leaves and pods of Wrightia tinctoria also isolated. This article intends to provide an overview of the chemical constituents present in various parts of the plants and their pharmacological actions and pharmacognostical evaluation.

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Introduction: Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. (Family: Apocynaceae) commonly called "Indrajau" is well known in Indian traditional system for its traditional uses. Materials and Methods: The present investigation was carried out to determine the possible bioactive components of plant seed ethanolic extract, pet ether fraction using GC-MS analysis. 22 components were identified from pet ether fraction obtained from elution of ethanolic extract packed in silica column. Results: The prevailing compounds from fraction F6to F9 were [1,1'-Bicyclopropyl]-2-octanoic acid, 2'-hexyl-, methyl ester (21.39%) , Trilinolein (7.74%), 2-Myristynoyl pantetheine (18.07%), 9-Octadecen-12-ynoic acid, methyl ester (4.46%), 1Hexadecanol,2-methyl (3.77%), Cyclopropane tetradecanoic acid, 2-octyl-, methyl ester (2.36%), 1b, 4a-Epoxy-2H-cyclopenta [3,4] ,1a,1b,4,4a,7a,7b,8,9,9a-de cahydro-4a,7b,9-trihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1,1,6,8-tetramethyl-,[1aR-(1aà,1bá,4aá,7aà,7bà,8à,9á,9 aà)]-(6.59%), Docosahexaenoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester (10.86%), 15,16,21,22, (3á,15à,16à,21á,22à)-( 4.40%) found as the major components. Conclusion: It could be concluded that, Wrightia tinctoria contains various bioactive compounds. So it is recommended as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance.

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