A comparative study on the antinociceptive and anti-Inflammatory effects of saffron and indomethacin in the prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Current research attempted to compare the effect of 10-day oral supplementation with saffron and indomethacin in the prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Thirty-nine healthy and inactive male students divided into three groups: Saffron (300 mg), indomethacin (75 mg), and control groups. Muscle soreness protocol performed with 80% of 1RM in four sessions and each session had 20 repetitions with three minutes rest in between. Seven days before DOMS protocol and immediately after, 24, 48, and 72 h after protocol, thigh circumference, pain perception, pressure pain threshold and maximum tolerate of pressure on the quadriceps muscle were measured and supplementation continued. Repeated measure ANOVA implemented to compare the effect of saffron in each session. The effect size was determined by Cohen’s d in each session. Results showed ten days’ consumption of saffron and indomethacin significantly decreased the pain perception and muscle inflammation (P