Effect of Crocin on Pituitary- Testicle Hormonal Axis in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease and cause disorders in reproductive system. Recent studies have revealed that main components of saffron like crocin and safranal have a large number of physiological effects on different biological systems.Due to the role of crocin in modulation of antioxidant defense system, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of crocin on pituitary- testicle hormonal axis in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats.

In this experimental study, 28 Wistar male rats were allocated into 4 equal groups. Groups were control, diabetic control and two treated diabetic group with crocin. The diabetes in diabetic control and treated diabetic groups was induced using an intraperitoneal injection of 240 mg/kg alloxan. Crocin with concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/kg [0.5 ml] was intraperitoneally injected into the two treated diabetic groups for 25 days. Saline solution [0.5 ml] was injected into the animals of control and diabetic control groups for 25 days. At the end of period treatment, serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogen, testosterone and DHT was measured by ELISA. The statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc Tukey tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.

In comparison with diabetic control group, administration of crocin with concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/kg dose-dependent significantly increased serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogen, and DHT testosterone in a dose-dependent manner [p<0.05].

The results show that crocin by increases activity of pituitary- testicle hormonal axis, improves hormonal disorders in diabetic rats.