Effect of crocin on antioxidant gene expression, fibrinolytic parameters, redox status and blood biochemistry in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is regarded as an epidemiological threat for the twenty-first century. Phytochemicals with known pharmaceutical properties have gained interest in the field of alleviating secondary complications of diseases. Such a substance is crocin, a basic constituent of saffron (Crocus sativus). The present study aimed at examining the beneficial effects of per os crocin administration on the antioxidant status, blood biochemical profile, hepatic gene expression and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1) in the liver, kidney and plasma (an important marker of pre-diabetic status and major factor of thrombosis in diabetes) of healthy rats, as well as of rats with nicotinamidestreptozotocin-induced diabetes. Results: Diabetes disrupted the oxidation-antioxidation balance, while crocin improved the antioxidant state in the liver by significantly affecting SOD1 gene expression and/or by restoring SOD and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels. In the kidney, crocin improved hydrogen peroxide decomposing activity and TAC. In blood, hepatic transaminases ALT and AST decreased significantly, while there was a trend of decrease regarding blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The expression of PAI-1 gene was affected in the liver by the dose of 50 mg kg −1. Conclusions: Crocin treatment contributed in restoring some parameters after diabetes induction, primarily by affecting significantly hepatic transaminases ALT and AST, SOD1 and PAI-1 gene expression and nephric H 2 O 2 decomposing activity. In conclusion, crocin did contribute to the alleviation of some complications of diabetes.

Resveratrol, curcumin and gallic acid attenuate glyoxal-induced damage to rat renal cells

“…Considering the increasing incidence rate of redox-state related diseases, there is an urgent need to enhance the organisms defense system with minimal side effects. Therefore, naturally occurring compounds with potent antioxidant properties have been extensively used for alleviating the detrimental impacts of such diseases [ 59 , 60 ]. Previous in vitro studies indicated that hyperglycemia is the direct cause of the glycation of cellular matrix proteins of mesonephric kidney cells and renal mesangial cell death [ 61 , 62 ].…”

A review of the anti-diabetic potential of saffron

“…30,61,62 Various articles referred to the antioxidant effects of saffron as the main mechanism for its beneficial effects on diabetic animals. 40,45,49,51,53,54,56,58 Oxidative stress (OS) in uncontrolled hyperglycemia is known to have a fundamental role in pancreatic dysfunction and liver injury. The leading components of the intrinsic anti-oxidation system in the tissues are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase.…”

Effect of Total Suspended Particulate Matter in the Air on Inflammation Factors and Apoptotic Markers in Diabetic Rats: The Protective Effect of Insulin and Crocin

“…Fifty-four adult male wistar rats with body weight of 200-250 gr were divided into nine experimental groups (n= 6 in each): control group, crocin group: received crocin, 50 mg/kg (19); crocin was suspended in 0.1 ml of normal saline and administered to the rats via intraperitoneal injection); diabetic group: received a single dose of alloxan at 120 mg/kg, IP (22) to induce diabetes; TSP group: 5 mg/kg TSP instilled intratracheally; diabetic-crocin group: received crocin at 50 mg/kg as a single intraperitoneal injection after the induction of diabetes by alloxan (120 mg/kg); diabeticinsulin: received regular insulin (5 U/kg ) as a single subcutaneous injection after the induction of diabetes by alloxan (120 mg/kg) (23); crocin-TSP group: received crocin at 50 mg/kg, IP, and then 5 mg/kg TSP was instilled intratracheally; diabetic-TSP-insulin group: after receiving alloxan (a single dose of 120 mg/kg, IP) and instilling TSP (5 mg/kg, intratracheally), the animals were given a single dose (5 U/kg) of regular insulin by subcutaneous injection; diabetic-TSP-crocin group: after receiving alloxan (a single dose of 120 mg/kg, IP) and instilling TSP (5 mg/kg, intratracheally), the animals were given a single dose of crocin (50 mg/kg, IP).…”

“…Antioxidants such as crocin, a natural carotenoid found in Crocus sativus L. (saffron), and Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis flowers reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress prompted by diabetes and obesity (16,17). The comprehensive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of insulin as a metabolic hormone have been shown with potent effects on glucose and lipid metabolism (18,19). Because of its anti-inflammatory action, insulin can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug (20).…”