Effect of Crocin on the Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profile of Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Crocin is the only water soluble carotenoid in nature, and it has a known powerful antioxidant activity. The aim of this work was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of crocin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Neonatal male Wistar rats (2-5 days old) were randomly divided into five groups. Three groups were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (90 mg/kg body weight). Among them, two groups were treated with intraperitoneal injection of crocin (50 or 100 mg/kg), and the third group was treated with vehicle only. Two control groups were also considered, and one of them was treated with crocin. After 5 months, their blood and urine samples were collected, and the animals were sacrified. The results indicate a significant lower body weight (P < 0.001) and abnormal parameters in the diabetic rats compared with the normal group. An administration of both doses of crocin significantly decreased the levels of serum glucose, advanced glycation end products, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein and increased the high-density lipoprotein in the diabetic rats. The treatments were also effective in decreasing HbA1c and microalbuminuria, as well as homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance as a measure of insulin resistance in the diabetic rats.

The effect of saffron (its active constituent, crocin) on the cardiovascular complication and dyslipidemia in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

“…These results agreed with the present study in which crocin decreased significantly elevation of the serum lipid levels and increased the level of HDL in diabetic rats. Our findings also were comfirmed by Shirali et al (Shirali et al, 2013). They indicated that crocin decreased TG, total cholesterol and LDL and elevated HDL in diabetic rats by improving insulin resistance.…”

Effect of Crocin and Voluntary Exercise on P53 Protein in Pancreas of Type2 Diabetic Rats

“…4,5 Crocin is the major active constituents of saffron which used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases including diabetes, depression, cognitive disorders and cancer. 6,7 Some investigations indicate that saffron and its constituents, crocin, have many pharmacological effects on diabetic animal models such as stimulation of glucose uptake by peripheral tissues, 8 inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption, 9 correction of insulin resistance, 10 stimulation and regeneration of beta cells in islets of langerhans to release more insulin. 11,12 As an interest, Hoshyaret al (2013) reported that Crocin triggers the apoptosis through increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase activation in human gastric adenocarcinoma.…”

The Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects of Carotenoids: A Review

“…A long-term increase in glucose is one of the most important causes of diabetes secondary disorders such as angiopathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, deficiency in the antioxidant defense system, and lipid profile disorders 2 . Hyperglycemia alone does not cause diabetic complications.…”