Crocins from Crocus sativus L. in the Management of Hyperglycemia. In Vivo Evidence from Zebrafish

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by persistent high blood glucose levels and accompanied by impaired metabolic pathways. In this study, we used zebrafish to investigate the effect of crocins isolated from Crocus sativus L., on the control of glucose levels and pancreatic β-cells. Embryos were exposed to an aqueous solution of crocins and whole embryo glucose levels were measured at 48 h post-treatment. We showed that the application of crocins reduces zebrafish embryo glucose levels and enhances insulin expression. We also examined whether crocins are implicated in the metabolic pathway of gluconeogenesis. We showed that following a single application of crocins and glucose level reduction, the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase1 (pck1), a key gene involved in glucose metabolism, is increased. We propose a putative role for the crocins in glucose metabolism and insulin management.

Crocus sativus L. Extract and Its Constituents: Chemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potential

“…The interesting results of two studies performed by Rossi and colleagues [ 11 ] and Kakouri et al [ 12 ] corroborate further for the therapeutic potential of saffron. Specifically, Rossi et al demonstrate the efficacy of crocetin in alleviating irradiation injury in an in vitro model of the pubertal testis, suggesting the therapeutic potential of this bioactive constituent of saffron as a fertoprotective agent against ionizing radiation’s deleterious effects in the pubertal period [ 11 ].…”

“…Additionally, Kakouri and her colleagues, in a nice, in vivo study conducted on the zebrafish, demonstrate that that the application of crocins reduces glucose levels in the zebrafish embryo and enhances insulin expression. They further show that following a single administration of crocins, the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase1 (pck1), a key gene involved in glucose metabolism, is increased, which is indicative of a putative role for crocins in glucose metabolism and insulin management [ 12 ].…”

An In Vitro Study of Saffron Carotenoids: The Effect of Crocin Extracts and Dimethylcrocetin on Cancer Cell Lines

“…CRCs were extracted from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (5 g of dried stigmas) as previously described [ 50 ]. The chemical profile of CRCs has been elucidated in previous studies [ 16 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…CRCs were extracted from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (5 g of dried stigmas) as previously described [ 50 ]. The chemical profile of CRCs has been elucidated in previous studies [ 16 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. At this study, the analysis of the extract was re-evaluated using the same technique and under the same operation parameters as reported in the study of Kakouri et al (2020) [ 50 ].…”

“…The chemical profile of CRCs has been elucidated in previous studies [ 16 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. At this study, the analysis of the extract was re-evaluated using the same technique and under the same operation parameters as reported in the study of Kakouri et al (2020) [ 50 ]. In particular, samples were analyzed using an LC/Q-TOF/HRMS technique (Agilent Series 1260-Agilent Technologies, Boeblingen, Germany).…”