Effects of saffron hydro-alcoholic extract on the hippocampal oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein distribution in female demyelinated rats

 Demyelinating diseases are autoimmune disorders of the nervous system. The present study aims to effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of saffron on blood brain-barrier destruction, Glial fibrillary acidic protein, and Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 distribution in astrocyte and oligodendroglia cells and the number of mentioned cells. 

 Forty female Sprague Dawley adult rats in four groups, Sham, treatment control, saffron treatment, and infliximab treatment were used. Demyelination was induced by 3 µl of 0.01% ethidium bromide injection in the dentate gyrus. Immunohistochemistry was used, for the distribution of Glial fibrillary acidic protein and Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 determination. The Image Analyzer software have evaluated the distribution of Glial fibrillary acidic protein and Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2. Demyelination was determined by Luxol fast blue staining and image-j software. The ELISA method and Evans blue extravasation measurement have investigated the extent of blood brain-barrier disruption.

 Blood brain-barrier disruption was meaningfully (p < 0.05) more in the treatment control compared to the other groups. The distribution of Glial fibrillary acidic protein and Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 and the number of both cells were considerably (p < 0.001) lower in the treatment control relative to the other groups. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 remarkably (p < 0.05) were lesser in the treatment control compared to the other groups. 

 The hydro-alcoholic extract of saffron ameliorates blood brain-barrier destruction, improved Glial fibrillary acidic protein, and Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 distribution and number of astrocyte and oligodendroglia cells.