Investigation of the effects of safranal on the experimentally created rheumatoid arthritis model in rats

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic disease characterized by inflammation and synovitis. More effective treatment methods with less side effects need to be developed. In this context, current study investigated the therapeutic effects of safranal in a model of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)‐induced RA. The control group was given 1 ml of saline orally starting from the 8th day, and 0.2 ml of CFA was given to the RA, RA + Safranal and RA + Methotrexate (MTX) groups on the 0th day of the experiment. Starting from the 8th day of the experiment, 1 ml of saline was given to the RA group, safranal was given at 200 mg/kg of body weight to the RA + MTX group, and 3 mg/kg of MTX to the RA + MTX group twice a week. The results showed that weight gain decreased in the RA group compared to the control group while arthritis index score, thymus index, and planter temperature were found to be increased. Additionally, a deterioration in blood parameters, an increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, C‐reactive protein, and malondialdehyde levels, and a decrease in reduced glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase and catalase (CAT) activities were seen while tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), cyclooxygenase‐2, nuclear factor kappa B levels were found to be increased. However, the safranal had a regulatory effect on all the values, except IL‐6 and CAT, and blood parameters. Moreover, histopathological examination revealed that safranal reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and edema.

Reduced Production of Pro-Inflammatory and Pro-Catabolic Factors by Human Serum Metabolites Derived from a Patented Saffron Extract Intake

“…The reduction in HO-1/Nrf-2 expression, as well as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β inflammatory mediators, seems to be involved in the protective effect of crocetin [ 20 ]. In addition, safranal was shown to exert therapeutic effects in a rodent model of RA by reducing systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [ 21 ]. In a rodent model, saffron extract treatment decreased osteoarthritis-associated joint histological manifestations and decreased serum TNFα levels [ 22 ].…”