Crocin mediated amelioration of oxidative burden and inflammatory cascade suppresses diabetic nephropathy progression in diabetic rats

Motlagh

et al. 2019

Phytotherapy Research

This trial evaluated the potential impacts of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) and its main carotenoid on some of the atherosclerosis-related gene expression and serum levels of oxidized low-density cholesterol (ox-LDL) and Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Participants of this randomized controlled trial included 84 CAD patients who categorized into three groups: Group 1 received crocin (30 mg/day), Group 2 SAE (30 mg/day), and Group 3 placebo for 8 weeks. Gene expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX1), nuclear factor kappalight-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and MCP-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells assessed by real-time PCR. Furthermore, serum ox-LDL and MCP-1 levels measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. Compared with the placebo group, gene expression of SIRT1 and AMPK increased significantly in the crocin group(p = .001), and the expression of LOX1 and NF-κB decreased significantly (p = .016 and .004, respectively). Serum ox-LDL levels decreased significantly in the crocin group after the intervention (p = .002) while MCP-1 levels decreased both in crocin and SAE groups (p = .001). Crocin may have beneficial effects on CAD patients by increasing the gene expression of SIRT1 and AMPK and decreasing the expression of LOX1 and NF-κB. K E Y W O R D SAMPK, coronary artery disease, crocin, LOX1, NF-κB, SIRT1

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Effects of crocin and saffron aqueous extract on gene expression of SIRT1, AMPK, LOX1, NF‐κB, and MCP‐1 in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Motlagh

et al. 2019

Phytotherapy Research

“…In addition, the imbalance in the oxidant/ antioxidant system in the kidney tissues results in the depletion of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes leading to the activation of pro-inflammatory mediators, thus contributing to the severity of diabetes-associated renal injury (Kandhare, Mukherjee, & Bodhanka, 2017;Olatunji et al, 2018;Pan et al, 2010). The current school of thought have suggested that therapies that can augment the antioxidant defense system as well as impede the release of various pro-inflammatory mediators may be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of renal failure induced by diabetes (Abou-Hany, Atef, Said, Elkashef, & Salem, 2018;Gilbert & Krum, 2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rhinacanthins‐rich extract and rhinacanthin C ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in streptozotocin‐nicotinamide‐induced diabetic nephropathy

et al. 2019

In this present study, rhinacanthins‐rich extract (RRE) and rhinacanthin C (RC) the main bioactive constituent of Rhinacanthus nasutus was investigated for their protective effect against diabetic nephropathy (DN). Diabetes was induced by administering nicotinamide (100 mg/kg, i.p.)/streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and diabetic rats were orally administered with RRE and RC for 4 weeks. RRE and RC significantly reduced the kidney index, renal oxidative stress markers, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, RRE and RC increased renal levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and attenuated diabetic induced renal damages. In conclusion, RRE and RC confer protective effect against DN through the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation and could be a potential medicinal or nutritional supplement for the prevention of DN. Practical applications Rhinacanthus nasutus is a medicinal plant that is extensively used in Thai traditional medicine as an antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, and anti‐inflammatory agent. The plant is rich in naphthoquinones, which confer it with several excellent bioactivities. The rich extract of the leaves was prepared with three major bioactive components and the extract was evaluated for its renoprotective effect in diabetic rats. The results from this study provides valuable pharmacological information that supports the use of the plant, especially the rich extract in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetic complications.

“…The protective effects of crocin against tissue damage in diabetes have been verified (14,(17)(18)(19). Crocin ameliorated the oxidative burden and inflammatory cascade and it suppressed the progression of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic rats (11). Crocin is effective in relieving the symptoms of obesity and diabetes, including hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, insulin resistance, and weight gain in animals that were obese or that had type 2 diabetes induced by a high fat diet and streptozotocin (17).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Crocin, a carotenoid compound, is a bioactive constituent of both the saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) and gardenia plants (10). Several studies have verified the antioxidant activities of crocin (11)(12)(13)(14). Crocin has been reported to have a number of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, antihypertensive, and cardioprotective action (15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crocin inhibits obesity <i>via</i> AMPK-dependent inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and promotion of lipolysis

Luo

Fang

2018

BST

Obesity has become a severe public health problem worldwide. Crocin, a natural product, has been reported to have a number of pharmacological activities, including antiinflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, antihypertensive, and cardioprotective action. The aims of the current study were to identify the beneficial effects of crocin on obesity, adipocyte differentiation, and lipolysis and to evaluate the possible role of AMPK. Results indicated that crocin significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation in differentiated adipocytes in vitro and in adipose tissue in db/db mice. Crocin reduced lipid accumulation in differentiated adipocytes. In addition, crocin inhibited the expression of mRNA of important adipogenesis-related regulators, including CEBPα, CEBPβ, PPARγ, aP2, FAS, and CD36, in both differentiated adipocytes and adipose tissue in db/db mice. Crocin increased the expression of mRNA of key lipolysis-associated factors, including PPARα, LPL, and HSL, in both differentiated adipocytes and adipose tissue in db/db mice. In adipocytes, knockdown of AMPK significantly suppressed the crocin-induced inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and increase in lipolysis. BML-275 is an inhibitor of AMPK. In adipose tissue in db/db mice, BML-275 suppressed crocin-induced inhibition of fat formation and alleviation of a metabolic disorder. The current results suggest that crocin alleviates obesity in db/db mice and that it inhibits adipocyte differentiation in preadipocytes. Crocin inhibits adipogenesis and promotes lipolysis via activation of AMPK. Therefore, crocin may have promise as an option for the clinical treatment for obesity and associated metabolic diseases.