西红花苷又名藏红花素、藏红花苷或番红花苷，为西红花的主要活性成分。现代研究表明西红花苷对多种中枢神经系统和心血管系统疾病具有较好疗效，同时还具有抗癌、抗炎、抗氧化、保肝利胆及抗糖尿病等作用，此外长期以来还作为香料、染料和食品添加剂。为了充分开发利用西红花苷，对西红花苷近年来药理活性的研究热点进行综述。

Crocin, also known as safflower, saffron glycosides or crocin, is the main active ingredient of Crocus sativus. The current studies have shown that crocin had a good effect for the variety of central nervous system and cardiovascular disease, also possessed anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, protecting liver and anti-diabetic effects. Meantime, crocin has been widely used as a spice, food colorant and food additive for a long time. In order to advance the development and utilization of crocin, the pharmacological researches of crocin are reviewed in this paper.

国家自然科学基金资助项目（81503220）；江苏省自然科学基金资助项目（BK20150706）；中央高校基本科研业务费培育项目（2015PY018）