Anti-Hyperglycemic Effect of Saffron Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus) from iridaceous genus is a stable grass and is considered as an important herb in medical, cosmetics and hygienic industries. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of given oral administration of saffron water extract with different dosages on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thirty five male albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 200 ± 5 g were divided into five groups of equal number and weight. Group I, normal control rats; group II, diabetic control rats; and groups III, IV and V, diabetic rats, given orally saffron extract by tube feeding at levels of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. Oral administration of saffron extract at the three different doses caused significant increase in body weight and serum insulin level in all treated diabetic groups, while significantly reduced blood glucose levels as well as the improvement in lipid profile and liver and kidney functions compared to the positive control group. Histological study showed that pancreas sections of rats from positive control group had hypertrophy and hyperplasia of -cells of islets of langerhans associated with pyknosis of their nuclei. However, treated rats with 200 mg/kg b.wt of saffron extract had vaculations of acinar epithelial lining in pancreas. Slight hypertrophy of islets of langerhans was demonstrated in pancreas of treated rats with 400 mg/kg b.wt. Apparently normal histological structure of pancreas was found in treated group with 600 mg/kg b.wt. In conclusion administration of saffron extract reduced blood glucose level and the incidence of different complications as results of hyperglycemia. Saffron have an advantage due to the presence of associated bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties which may exert further health promoting effects.