Scientific name of crocetin: 2-naphthol-8-sulfonic acid; colorless crystals; used to produce acid and direct azo dyes. Sulfonating 2- naphthol in 98% sulfuric acid at low temperature, and adding sodium carbonate to get a small amount of Schaffer's acid precipitation, then filtering, and eventually preparing the crocetin from the mother liquor.

[Chinese name] Crocetin;2-naphthol-8-sulfonic acid　

[English name] croceic acid;2-naphthol-8-sulfonic acid　

【 Molecular formula 】 C10H7O4S - K +

【 Molecular weight 】 262.32348

【Preparation or source】Sulfonating 2- naphthol in 98% sulfuric acid at low temperature, and adding sodium carbonate to get a small amount of Schaffer's acid precipitation, then filtering, and eventually preparing the 2-naphthol-8-sulfonic acid from the mother liquor.

【Solubility】 Extremely insoluble in water and common organic solvents except pyridine and organic alkali which is similar to pyridine.

It exists naturally in the Rubiaceae plant-gardenia fruit, Iridaceae plant- crocus sativus flowers,Scrophulariaceae plant- flores verbasci leaves and flowers. Sulfonating 2- naphthol in 98% sulfuric acid at low temperature, and adding sodium carbonate to get a small amount of Schaffer's acid precipitation, then filtering, and eventually preparing the 2-naphthol-8-sulfonic acid from the mother liquor. 

Crocetin can lower cholesterol and increase fat metabolism, and can be used for the treatment of fatty liver in combination with hawthorn, cassia seed, rhizoma alismatis and other traditional Chinese medicine. It can reduce abnormal increase in globulin and total bilirubin by improving microcirculation, and promoting bile secretion and excretion, thus, it can be used for liver cirrhosis treatment after chronic viral hepatitis.

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