Protective effects of saffron extract and crocin supplementation on fatty liver tissue of high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mashmoul, Maryam; Azlan, Azrina; Mohtarrudin, Norhafizah; Mohd Yusof, Barakatun; Khaza'ai, Huzwah; Khoo, Hock; Farzadnia, Mehdi; Boroushaki, Mohammad
• Is Part Of: BMC complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Saffron extract -- Crocin -- Fatty liver -- Histopathology -- Obesity -- NAFLD -- High-fat diet; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; Complementary Therapies -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1381-9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6882

Abstract

Abstract Background Saffron is the dried stigma ofCrocus sativus L. flower which commonly used as a natural remedy to enhance health and even fights disease in the Middle-East and Southeast Asian countries. Methods This study was aimed to investigate protective effect of saffron extract and crocin in fatty liver tissue of high-fat diet induced obese rats. A total of 36 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups. Two groups served as controls, a normal diet (ND) and a high-fat diet (HFD). The other four groups were each supplemented with saffron extract and crocin at concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight/day for 8 weeks. All groups except ND were fed with HFD until end of the study. At baseline, blood sample was collected for determination of levels of hepatic marker enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatise and albumin. Liver sample was collected, weighed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for further histopathological examination. Results Saffron extract and crocin at concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/kg had dose-dependently alleviated levels of liver enzymes and histopathological changes in diet-induced obese rat model compared to control (HFD group). Conclusion This study suggested that saffron extract and crocin supplements have hepatoprotective effect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and HFD-induced liver damage.