Sensitive analysis and simultaneous assessment of pharmacokinetic properties of crocin and crocetin after oral administration in rats.

•Crocin and crocetin were sensitively determined in rat plasma using LC/MS.•Pharmacokinetic properties of crocin and crocetin was evaluated.•Crocetin in plasma was much higher than crocin after orally given with crocin.•Oral administration of crocin has the advantages over crocetin.•Crocetin is the active component contributing to pharmacological effect of crocin.