Protective effect of ethanolic extract of Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) stigma against Cisplatin induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin, as an important anti-cancer drug, is a potent hepatotoxicant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of ethanolic extract of Crocus sativus L. stigma (EECSL.S) against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in the rats. 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups (1-Normal control, 2- Toxicant control, 3-Positive control and 4&5- Treatment with extract) of 8 animals each. Cisplatin was injected (0.4 mg/kg) to groups 2-4 daily for 8 weeks, intraperitoneally. Simultaneously, normal saline (10 ml/kg) for groups 1 and 2, silymarin (50 mg/kg) for group 3 and EECSL.S (40 and 80 mg/kg) for groups 4 and 5 were administered through the gavage. At the end of experiment, levels of serum biomarkers of hepatic injury as well as antioxidant activity in liver homogenates of the rats were assessed. Moreover, histopathological observation was assayed at the degree of hepatic injury. In the cisplatin receiving rats, EECSL.S (40 and 80 mg/kg) and silymarin significantly decreased the levels of serum biomarkers of hepatic injury and total bilirubin and significantly elevated the levels of serum albumin and total proteins. In these rats, EECSL.S and silymarin decreased the lipid peroxidation and elevated the levels of antioxidant enzymes in a dose dependent manner. Histopathologically, EECSL.S and silymarin ameliorated cisplatin-induced hepatic injuries and the changes were in agreement with biochemical findings. EECSL.S protects hepatic tissue against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats due to its anti-oxidant properties.