Attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis by ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Crocus sativus L. stigma after chronic constriction injury of rats

Abstract

In our previous study, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Crocus sativus elicited antinociceptive effects in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. In this study, we explored anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of such extracts in CCI animals. A total of 72 animals were divided as vehicle-treated CCI rats, sham group, CCI animals treated with the effective dose of aqueous and ethanolic extracts (200 mg/kg, i.p.). The lumbar spinal cord levels of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were evaluated at days 3 and 7 after CCI (n=3, for each group). The apoptotic protein changes were evaluated at days 3 and 7 by western blotting. Oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione reduced (GSH), were measured on day 7 after CCI. Inflammatory cytokines levels increased in CCI animals on days 3 and 7, which were suppressed by both extracts. The ratio of Bax/ Bcl2 was elevated on day 3 but not on day 7, in CCI animals as compared to sham operated animals and decreased following treatment with both extracts at this time. Both extracts attenuated MDA and increased GSH levels in CCI animals. It may be concluded that saffron alleviates neuropathic pain, at least in part, through attenuation of proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidant activity and apoptotic pathways.

An Agonist of the Protective Factor SIRT1 Improves Functional Recovery and Promotes Neuronal Survival by Attenuating Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury

“…Proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-␣, IL-6, and IL-1␤, have been reported to induce necrotic and apoptotic cell death and decrease locomotor function after SCI, while suppression of these cytokines promotes neuronal survival and attenuates the severity of SCI (Sharma et al, 2003;Ledesma et al, 2004;Allan et al, 2005;Nakamura et al, 2005;Simi et al, 2007;Sheikpranbabu et al, 2009;Tolosa et al, 2011;Burke et al, 2014;Amini Pishva et al, 2016). Our results showed that following SRT1720 administration to WT mice, there was a significant reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-␣, IL-6 and IL-1␤, in the early postinjury stages and that the SIRT1 KO mice exhibited increased levels of these inflammatory cytokines compared with those of WT mice (Fig.…”

“…The cytokine levels in the mouse spinal cords were measured using ELISAs specific for TNF-␣, IL-1␤, IL-6, and IL-10 according to the manufacturer's instructions. The content in each sample was obtained from a total length of 10 mm centered around the injured area (Amin et al, 2014).…”

Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Effects ofCrocus sativusL. and its Main Constituents

“…Ethanolic and aqueous C . sativus extracts alleviated neuropathic pain in the chronic constriction injury model through attenuation of pro‐inflammatory factors including TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β (Amin et al ., ). The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C .…”

Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Vascular Dementia: An Overview of Scientific Evidence

“…Data from in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that saffron possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties [77]. Saffron extract has been shown to improve learning and memory function in ethanol-induced memory impairment in mice and to ameliorate cerebral ischaemia induced oxidative damage in the rat hippocampus [78, 79].…”