Author/Authors :
Hoshyar، Reyhane نويسنده Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran , , Hosseinian، Mahdiyeh نويسنده Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center,
Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR
Iran , , Rajabian Naghandar، Majid نويسنده Department of Biology, Payame Noor University of Mashhad,
Mashhad, IR Iran , , Hemmati، Mina نويسنده Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand
University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran , , Zarban، Asghar نويسنده , , Amini، Zahra نويسنده former MSc student and associate professor, Department of Plant breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord , , Valavi، Maryam نويسنده Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand
University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran , , Zare Beyki، Masoomeh نويسنده Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand
University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran , , Mehrpour، Omid نويسنده Department of Clinical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran ,
Abstract :
Recently herbs considered as biological and safe agents to treat,
control and prevent of many health problems such as obesity and its
complications. This study investigated protective effects of extracts
from saffron stigma, petal, and their mixture on dyslipidemia,
atherosclerosis, and insulin resistance in high-fat-fed obese rats. This
experimental study was performed in animal house of Birjand University
of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran. We used systematic random sampling
to divide 56 adult male rats into 8 groups with 7 rats in each group
that were fed a high-fat or standard diet for 10 weeks. Then, doses of
saffron stigma, petal (40 and 80 mg/kg body weight, respectively), and
their mixture (80 mg/kg body weight of both) were administered orally on
a daily basis for three weeks. At the end of treatment priods, we
examined all biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed by valid
statistical analysis. Saffron extracts markedly (P < 0.05)
decreased the serum total cholesterol (TC, 90 ± 9.3), triglyceride (TG,
99 ± 10.5), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, 27 ± 1.1) in
obese rats, while they increased the serum high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol (HDL-C, 68 ± 2.2). The atherosclerosis-index (LDL/HDL, 0.39
± 0.5), atherogenic index (TC/HDL, 1.32 ± 4.2), and the liver enzymes
(ALT, AST, and ALP) were also reduced drastically (P < 0.05)
after herbal treatments. Treatment with saffron extract significantly (P
< 0.05) decreased the levels of leptin (0.26 ± 0.04), insulin
(4.11 ± 0.1), resistin (11.1 ± 0.5) and homeostasis model
assessment-estimated insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR, 20.0±1.4) and
enhanced the levels of circulating adiponectin (108 ± 3), potentially
indicating a cardio-protective influence. Antioxidant capacity (511.63 ±
19) increased after treatment with saffron extracts, but malondialdehyde
levels (1.94 ± 0.1) decreased. This in vivo study demonstrated that
saffron extracts, particularly the mixture of extracts from stigma and
petal, ameliorated dyslipidemia in obese rats, leading to decreased
atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. Our data suggested a potential
therapeutic strategy against obesity and its related
complications.
