Investigating the Effect of Crocus sativus (Saffron) Petal Hydro-alcoholic Extract on Ovarian Follicle, Inflammatory Markers, and Antioxidant Enzymes in Mice Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Saffron petals have traditionally been used to treat a variety of diseases, such as gynecological diseases, primary dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a kind of gynecological disease that causes infertility, menopausal and urogenital disorders and saffron petals seem to be an efficient treatment for such disorders.
 Methods: NMRI mice (total=60, each group n=12) were divided into control, PCOS, and the treatment groups. PCOS and treatment groups were injected with testosterone enanthate (TE=1 mg/kg). After 4 weeks, the treatment group was treated with Saffron Petal Extract (SPE) for 14 days. Ovary and blood samples were collected for histological and serological analyses, and expression of NF-κB, NF-κB p65, and IκB genes was analyzed. Finally, data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p<0.05).
 Results: In this study, the number of corpus luteum decreased in PCOS mice (p< 0.001) but increased with SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). The number of cystic follicles increased in PCOS mice (p<0.001), but decreased with SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.001). TNFα, IL1ß, IL6, IL18, and CRP levels increased in PCOS mice (p<0.001), but decreased following SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.001). Glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) serum levels decreased in PCOS mice (p<0.001), but increased with SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.001). The transcriptional level (s) of NF-κB, NF-κB p65, IκB genes changed in PCOS condition (p<0.001), and were regulated by SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001).
 Conclusion: The present study shows that SPE improved the PCOS symptoms in mice via increasing antioxidant factors and reducing inflammatory markers in serum.

Advancements in lead therapeutic phytochemicals polycystic ovary syndrome: A review

“…In addition, SPA showed antioxidation, which was reflected in the increased levels of GPX, SOD, CAT, GST, and GSH enzymes in the plasma of PCOS mice after SPA treatment. Subsequently, these results ensured that the number of follicles and corpus luteum increased, and the number of cystic follicles decreased in PCOS mice (Moshfegh et al, 2022).…”

“…Moshfegh et al utilized saffron petal anthocyanins (SPA) to treat testosterone-induced PCOS mice and disclosed that SPA could improve the hormone disorder, which was evidenced by the recovery of serum levels of LH, FSH, and steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) in mice (Moshfegh et al, 2022). In addition, SPA reduced the levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18, and C-reactive protein (CRP), indicating that SPA demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the mRNA levels of inflammatory genes and restoring NF-κB and inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) (key mediators of inflammatory genes), resulting in improvement of the inflammatory response of PCOS mice (Moshfegh et al, 2022). In addition, SPA showed antioxidation, which was reflected in the increased levels of GPX, SOD, CAT, GST, and GSH enzymes in the plasma of PCOS mice after SPA treatment.…”

Chitosan/Alginate-loaded Astragalus hamosus shows ameliorating effects on lipid profile, inflammatory and hormonal parameters, and reduces miRNA-222 expression in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats

“…Previous studies have reported elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in PCOS [36,50]. Several studies have shown signi cant reductions in the levels of these factors after treatment with compounds such as Gallic Acid [51], hawthorn leaf avonoids [52], Quercetin [53], resveratrol for TNF-α [32], saffron [54], and Ageratum conyzoides [36].…”

Therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L) on female reproductive system disorders: A systematic review

“…Besides studies conducted on the effect of C. sativus or its phytochemical compounds on modulating reproductive hormones and folliculogenesis (Mokhtari et al, 2010; Sadoughi, 2017; Vafa & Emadi, 2020), several studies have described the anti‐inflammatory property and anti‐oxidative capacity of this herb as a notable mechanism for the regulation and improvement of ovarian function and PCO (Hu et al, 2018; Moshfegh et al, 2022a; Sadoughi, 2017). In this regard, it has been confirmed that C. sativus is not only influenced by its modulatory effects on sex hormones, pituitary–gonadal axis, gonadotropin, and steroid receptors but also by regulating inflammatory‐related factors, and antioxidant enzymes (Table 2) (Chen et al, 2019; Moshfegh et al, 2022a; Moshfegh et al, 2022b; Zohrabi et al, 2018).…”