Protective effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) against lethal ventricular arrhythmias induced by heart reperfusion in rat: A potential anti-arrhythmic agent

Abstract

Context: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been used as a cuisine spice in eastern and western societies for thousands of years. In traditional medicine, saffron is recommended for the treatment of various kinds of disorders including heart palpitations. Objective: We investigated the hypothesis of the protective effect of saffron on lethal cardiac arrhythmias induced by heart ischemia-reperfusion in rat. Materials and methods: Animals were divided into a control (CTL) group that received tap water, Saf50, Saf100 and Saf200 groups that were orally treated with aqueous extracts of saffron, at dosages of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, and amiodarone (Amio) group that orally received 30 mg/kg/day for seven days. On day 8, heart ischemia-reperfusion was induced by ligation and releasing of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Results: During reperfusion, the numbers and durations of ventricular fibrillation (VF) decreased in all groups compared to the CTL group (p50.05). Ventricular tachycardia (VT)/VF numbers (3.2 AE 1.2), durations (4.9 AE 2.6) and also arrhythmia severity (1.9 AE 0.35) were decreased significantly in the Saf100 group versus CTL group values (18.4 AE 11.6, 52 AE 31 and 3.3 AE 0.3, respectively). The PR and QTcn intervals of ECG were significantly longer in the Saf200 group (p50.001 versus CTL). The other doses of saffron only significantly prolonged the QTcn interval. Conclusion:The results suggest that pretreatment with saffron, especially at the dosage of 100 mg/kg/day, attenuates the susceptibility and incidence of fatal ventricular arrhythmia during the reperfusion period in the rat. This protective effect is apparently mediated through reduction of electrical conductivity and prolonging the action potential duration.

Effects of crocin and saffron aqueous extract on gene expression of SIRT1, AMPK, LOX1, NF‐κB, and MCP‐1 in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial

“…The cardioprotective effects of saffron and its constituents were evaluated previously in various aspects (Joukar et al, ; Joukar, Ghasemipour‐Afshar, Sheibani, Naghsh, & Bashiri, ; Khori et al, ; Razavi, Hosseinzadeh, Movassaghi, Imenshahidi, & Abnous, ). However, based on our literature review, there is no human study carried out yet to evaluate the saffron impacts on the atherogenesis‐related genes.…”

Petals of Crocus sativus L. as a potential source of the antioxidants crocin and kaempferol

“…In Iranian's traditional medicine, ointments containing saffron are used to treat hot palpitation of heart [4]. Scientific studies have confirmed the validity of saffron extracts in the treatment of mild to moderate depression [5,6], and agent against erectile dysfunction [7], and as anti-arrhythmic agent and restorer of cardicac functions [8,9]. Other studies showed a role of saffron as a protector against age related macular degeneration [10,11], in reducing cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer Disease [12,13], and as a source for potential anti-cancer agents [14,15,16].…”

The safety assessment of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on sympathovagal balance and heart rate variability; a comparison with amiodarone

“…In traditional medicine, it is recommended to treat arteriosclerosis, hypertension, acute coronary syndrome and also heart palpitations . In addition, experimental studies revealed its protective effect against chemical and ischaemia–reperfusion myocardial injuries and its antiarrhythmic properties. Pretreatment with aqueous extract of saffron reduced the episodes and duration of life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmia such as ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation and the score of cardiac arrhythmia in rat .…”