Study of the effect of alcoholic extract of saffron on lymphocyte changes in lavage liquid in asthmatic rat

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract which is diagnosed by eosinophils, lymphocytes and Mast cell infiltration and edema of airways. Recent studies indicate to the therapeutic role of anti-oxidant agents in asthma. Due to anti-oxidant properties of saffron, it may prevent from increased free radical generation and be effective in reducing asthma complications This was an experimental study. In order to investigate the effect of saffron extract on lymphocyte cells changes, 40 rat wistar were classified into five groups, i.e. control, asthma and extract-receiving asthma with 200, 100 and 50 mg/kg doses, respectively. Eexperimental asthma was induced in animals by evalbomine (injection/inhalation). Control group was received saline solution. During the asthma induction, the treated group was received the extract for 32 days, 2 times per week. In this study, the number of lymphocyte cells in the lavage liquid of each of the five groups was analyzed. The results showed a significant increase in lymphocytes of the lavaged fluid of asthmatic animals in comparison to those of the control group and the number of lymphocyte also significantly reduced in the groups treated with triple doses of extract in comparison to those of asthmatic group(P<0.05). Saffron extract has effects on white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, which cause contraction of the respiratory tract due to release of inflammatory mediators.