The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on Oxidative Stress Markers in the Hippocampus of Experimental Models of MS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extract of saffron on oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus of experimental models of MS. Induction of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was carried out by direct single injection of 0.01 % ethidium bromide (EB) into the Cornu ammonis (CA1) of hippocampal formation. One week after MS induction, animals received intrahippocampal (5 μg/rat and 10 μg/rat) injection of the saffron. At the end, the bilateral hippocampi were dissected to measure oxidative stress parameters. one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test were used for Statistical analyses activity. Hippocampal injection of EB had no effect on catalase (CAT) activity, but it induced significant increment of antioxidant enzymes GPx and SOD (P<0.05). Short-term local injection of saffron extract significantly reduced the activity of GPx and SOD enzymes (P<0.05). But the activity of CAT was significantly increased following microinjection of saffron extract (P<0.05). The results of the present study show that the local injection of EB may cause increased production of free radicals. Antioxidant capacity and activity are increased. Saffron extract as a potent antioxidant modulates oxidative stress markers, probably through scavenging of ROS and clearing of cells milieu from free radicals.