Abstract: As the main bioactive compound of saffron, crocin has the ability to scavenge free radicals and relieve oxidative stress, and has the potential to become a green and safe antioxidant.Crocin is mainly catabolized in the intestine and transported to various parts of the body through the blood.The heart, spleen, kidneys and lungs have higher saffron metabolites, exert their biological role at this site.Crocin is low-toxicity substances that can be used to alleviate oxidative damage in the body.The current research showed that the antioxidative role of crocin benefited to alleviate neurodegenerative diseases, inhibit tumor growth, and protect the reproductive and cardiac systems as well.Alleviating oxidative stress is one of the main ways in which saffron glycosides regulate the body's adaptation to abnormal environments, and reducing the production of oxidation products and improving antioxidant enzyme activity are its main regulatory means.Crocin is involving in multiple signaling pathways (TLR2/NF-κB, JAK2-STAT3-ERK and Nrf2 pathways) to alleviate the imbalances between pro-oxidants and antioxidants in the body caused by external material stimulation.The authors reviewed the application of crocin antioxidant action in regulating animal health and its mechanism in different regulatory systems, which provided a theoretical basis for further research on the antioxidant mechanism of saffron glycoside and its regulation of animal health.It provides guidance for the development of novel natural antioxidants for the treatment of diseases or abnormalities.

Key words: crocin; animal health; anti-oxidation; oxidative stress; biological activity