safranal

**Safranal** is a naturally occurring monoterpene aldehyde (C10H14O), primarily responsible for the distinctive aroma of saffron, obtained from the flowers of the Crocus sativus plant. It forms via enzymatic and thermal degradation of picrocrocin during saffron drying and storage[1][3][5]. Safranal acts mainly as an agonist at the gamma aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor-benzodiazepine complex, conferring anticonvulsant and central nervous system effects[5][11]. It also possesses antioxidant, cytotoxic (anticancer), and antidepressant activities, and has demonstrated antihyperglycemic and potential neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies[1][5][10][11]. Safranal is not currently a pharmaceutical product but is studied as a bioactive dietary constituent and aromatic agent.

Other names

2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carbaldehyde2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxaldehydeDehydro-beta-cyclocitral2,3-dihydro-2,2,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde1,3-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxaldehyde 2,6,6-trimethyl-safranalFEMA No. 3389