The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on glycemia, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in patients with type‐2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract

In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of saffron supplementation on glycemic status, lipid profile, atherogenic indices, and oxidative status in patients with type‐2 diabetes (T2DM). In a randomized, double‐blind controlled trial, 70 patients were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 35, each) and received 100 mg/day of saffron or placebo for eight weeks. Dietary intake, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, and Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), lipid profile, atherogenic indices, oxidative status, and liver enzymes were determined before and after the intervention. At the end of the eighth week, saffron intervention could significantly reduce FBS (7.57%), lipid profile (except high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL‐C]), atherogenic indices, and liver enzymes (p < .05). Moreover, saffron could improve oxidative status (nitric oxide [NO] and malondialdehyde [MDA] reduced by 26.29% and 16.35%, respectively). Catalase (CAT) concentration remained unchanged. Saffron supplementation may alleviate T2DM by improving glycemic status, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and oxidative status. Further investigation is necessary to assess possible side effects and confirm the positive effect of saffron as a complementary therapy in clinical recommendations for T2DM.

Crocus sativus L. Extract (Saffron) Effectively Reduces Arthritic and Inflammatory Parameters in Monotherapy and in Combination with Methotrexate in Adjuvant Arthritis

“…Moreover, it was also noted that saffron plus damask rose petals reduced weight gain, TG, and CRP (all p < 0.05) compared to the control group in a study using diabetic male Sprague Dawley rats [64]. It is also known that saffron supplementation can alleviate DM2 by improving the glycaemic status, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and oxidative status [65]; however, the mechanism of the effect of saffron on the modification of the weight in AA and/or RA remains unclear.…”

Crocus sativus updated

“…In einem Umbrella-Review wurden 23 systematische Reviews (SR) zu Safran zusammengefasst: 13 SRs bei Depressionen, 6 SRs bei sexueller Dysfunktion und je 3 SRs bei Ängsten und Hirnleistungsstörungen [36]. Darüber hinaus geben Metaanalysen Hinweise, dass Safran auch bei Diabetes Typ 2 [11,26,32] mit oder ohne metabolischem Syndrom [13,37] wirksam ist, beim prämenstruellen Syndrom (PMS), bei Postpartum-Depressionen, Schlafstörungen und Essstörungen [22,27,36] sowie bei Stoffwechselstörungen wie Arteriosklerose, Fettstoffwechselstörung, bei Augenkrankheiten (Makuladegeneration, diabetischer Retinopathie, Glaukom, Retinitis pigmentosa) [12,23,34,38] und bei Infektionen mit SARS-CoV-2 [41]. Die blutdrucksenkende Wirkung ist vermutlich klinisch nicht relevant [35].…”

Effects of Crocus sativus on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Published research results have repeatedly confirmed that saffron can improve the increase of blood glucose and blood pressure caused by MetS and related diseases [4][5][6], protect vascular endothelial function, and even delay the process of diabetic nephropathy [7]. However, the effects of crocin on metabolic diseases vary in different clinical studies.…”

“…Aynaz Tajaddini et al revealed through clinical studies that safflower intervention can effectively reduce FBG, blood lipids, and liver enzymes, and improve oxidative status in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [6]. However, Samaneh Sepahi et al considered that there was no significant change in blood lipids and liver enzymes after crocin intervention in T2DM [10].…”