The effect of hydroalcoholic Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract on fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver, and renal function tests in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double‐blind clinical trial

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that manifested as hyperglycemia due to the defect in secretion or function of insulin. Studies have shown that saffron and its derivatives cause a significant reduction in plasma glucose levels in experimental models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the saffron extract on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c), lipid profile, liver enzymes, and renal function tests in type 2 diabetic patients. In this double‐blind randomized clinical trial, 64 type 2 diabetic patients who were on oral anti‐diabetic drugs were examined. Participants received either 15 mg of saffron or placebo capsules (two pills per day) for 3 months. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake, FPG, HbA1c, lipid profiles, liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), and renal function (BUN, Cr.) tests were measured pre and post intervention after 3 months. Independent t test and paired t test were used for data analysis. After 3‐months intervention, mean difference of FPG, Cholesterol, LDL‐c, and LDL/HDL ratio between two groups showed significant reduction(p < 0.0001), but HbA1c, HDL‐C, API, TG showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). In saffron group, FPG, HbA1c, cholesterol, LDL‐c, and LDL/HDL ratio decreased significantly after 3‐months intervention compare with baseline (p < 0.0001).

Effect of Saffron Extract and Crocin in Serum Metabolites of Induced Obesity Rats

“…Hoshyar et al [14] also demonstrated the same observation with our biochemical data where supplementation of saffron extracts (40 and 80 mg/kg) in obese rats significantly decreased the serum level of TG, TC, LDL, and antioxidant activity. Besides, a clinical trial study had proved that the intervention of saffron extract (30 mg) for three months significantly decreased the level of TC and LDL in a diabetes patient [44]. This study suggested that the antioxidant properties of saffron extract and crocin may effectively increase the CDO expression of obese rats by promoting taurine synthesis in the liver and adipocytes.…”

The Effect of Crocin Supplementation on Glycemic Control, Insulin Resistance and Active AMPK Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Changes in lifestyle behaviors and dietary habits have immensely contributed to the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. The effects of some dietary components on amelioration of diabetes have been shown previously (1,(4)(5)(6)(7).…”

Clinical and metabolic responses to crocin in patients under methadone maintenance treatment: A randomized clinical trial

“…Azimi, Ghiasvand, Feizi, Hariri, and Abbasi (), shown that herbal medicines (e.g., saffron, cardamom, and ginger) for 8 weeks in patients with T2DM had beneficial effects on lipid profiles but did not affect glycemic control. In another study, after saffron intake for 12 weeks in patients with T2DM, it had a significant improvement on glycemic control and serum lipids (Moravej Aleali et al, ). Also, Javandoost et al () demonstrated that 30 mg/day crocin consumption for 8 weeks in subjects with metabolic syndrome was associated with a significant rise in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels but did not affect fasting glucose and other lipid profiles.…”

“…In an animal study conducted by Yarijani, Pourmotabbed, Pourmotabbed, and Najafi (), crocin was introduced as an anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant agent in renal ischemia/reperfusion rat models. In addition, saffron administration for 12 weeks improved glycemic status and serum lipids in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; Moravej Aleali et al, ). Although other researchers failed to find an improvement in insulin and lipid profiles, depression, and metabolic parameters in response to ingesting saffron and crocin supplements (Nosrati et al, ; Pourmasoumi, Hadi, Najafgholizadeh, Kafeshani, & Sahebkar, ; Sahraian, Jelodar, Javid, Mowla, & Ahmadzadeh, ).…”