Lipid Lowering Effects of Aqueous Saffron Extract in Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable and chronic diseases. The present study aimed to review the lipid lowering effects of aqueous saffron extract in diabetic rats. Methods: Sixty diabetic rats with fasting blood glucose of over 300 mg/dl were selected as sample and divided in two groups of saffron extract and control. Group of saffron extract received 25 mg/kg daily aqueous saffron extract peritoneally for 4 weeks. Lipid profile was measured by enzymatic method with zist shimi commercial kits provided by yasa teb Company. For statistical analysis of data, Kalmogorov- Smirnov test and paired sample and independent sample t- tests (p≤0.05) were used. Results: Findings showed that 4 weeks saffron extract induces significant reduction in LDL, VLDL, TG and Cho of diabetic rats (p=0.001); nevertheless, it has no significant effect on HDL (p=0.07). Conclusion: It is concluded that 4 weeks aqueous saffron extract has lipid lowering effect in diabetic rats.