Effect of Total Suspended Particulate Matter in the Air on Inflammation Factors and Apoptotic Markers in Diabetic Rats: The Protective Effect of Insulin and Crocin

Abstract

Background:The effect of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) was investigated on the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic factors in diabetic rats, and the effect of crocin and insulin was examined on these factors. Methods: Fifty-four adult male wistar rats were divided into nine experimental groups: control group, crocin group (received crocin, 50 mg/kg), diabetic group (received a single dose of alloxan at 120 mg/kg, IP), TSP group (5 mg/kg TSP instilled intratracheally), diabetic-crocin group (received crocin at 50 mg/kg after the induction of diabetes by alloxan (120 mg/kg)), diabetic-insulin group (received regular insulin (5 U/kg), crocin-TSP group (received crocin at 50 mg/kg, IP, and then 5 mg/kg TSP was instilled intratracheally), diabetic-TSP-insulin group (after receiving alloxan (120 mg/kg) and instilling TSP (5 mg/kg, intratracheally), a single dose (5 U/kg) of regular insulin), and diabetic-TSP-crocin group (after receiving alloxan (120 mg/kg) and instilling TSP (5 mg/kg, intratracheally), a single dose of crocin (50 mg/kg, IP)). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure the expression of the mRNAs of apoptotic (Bax and Bcl2) and inflammatory mediators (TNFα, COX2, iNOS/eNOS) in Wistar rats. Results: In diabetic and TSP groups the inflammatory factors and BAX/Bcl2 ratio significantly increased compared to the control group. In diabetic-TSP-insulin and diabetic-TSP-crocin, a significant decrease was observed in the rate of inflammatory factors and BAX/Bcl2 ratio. Conclusions:The results suggested that diabetes and exposure to TSP increase the rate of apoptosis and inflammation, and also demonstrated the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammation role of insulin and crocin.

The Effect of Thyme Essential Oil on Liver Injuries Caused by Renal Ischemia‐Reperfusion in Rats

“…Thymol and TE not only have antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties but also induce apoptosis in tumor cells [ 37 ]. Crocin decreases the apoptosis rate of diabetic rats through decreasing the expression of Bax and increasing the expression of Bcl2 [ 38 ]. Following the consumption of thyme oil, the expression of caspase-3 increased in the liver of rats.…”

A Significant Reduction in the Plasma Levels and Gene Expression of CCL2 in Patients with Osteoarthritis following Intervention with Krocina™

“…Crocin (a saffron-derived ingredient) has an anti-inflammatory function (18), which is done by reduction in the oxidative stress and absorption of free radicals, inhibiting nitric oxide induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, it can reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis (14,19).…”