Evaluation the Effect of Saffron Aqueous Extract on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Important Biochemical Enzymes of Liver Tissue in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Medicinal plants possessing antioxidant activity may reduce oxidative stress and improve the functions of various organs that affected by hyperglycemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) administration to diabetic rats by measuring the oxidative stress parameters and important biochemical enzymes in liver tissue. 72 hours after STZ administration (60 mg/kg body weight), the animals with fasting blood glucose over of 250 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic rats and experimental groups were: control (1), control drug (2), diabetes (3) and diabetes drug (4). The treatment was started on the 7th day after STZ injection with i.p injection of SAE (200mg/kg body weight), five doses and weekly to groups 2 and 4. At the end of the experimental period, biochemical factors were measured after bleeding and harvesting of tissues.
Findings: Results indicated the perturbation in the activity of important liver enzymes in diabetic group (3) and SAE adjusted and normalized their levels activity. In addition, SAE with increases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes alleviated diabetes induced oxidative stress and thus reduced MDA levels in group 4 compared to group 3. SAE is not only useful in the controlling of blood glucose, but also has antioxidant potential to protect the liver tissue of diabetic rats against damage caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress