Abstract
The rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus is becoming a serious threat to mankindʼs health in all parts of the world and is in a group of metabolic disorders having hyperglycemia as a common manifestation. Implication of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetes is proposed, not only by oxygen free-radical generation, but also due to non-enzymatic protein glycosylation, auto-oxidation of glucose, impaired glutathione metabolism, alteration in antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxides formation. Moreover, oxidative stress induces systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, impaired secretion of pancreatic β cells and impaired glucose utilization in peripheral tissues. Nowadays, the use of antioxidants still remains a controversy, but its use as a therapy for diabetes can be considered, because it demonstrated effectiveness in lowering the risk of diabetes and its complications. Therefore, this review provides an updated overview of experimental in vitro and in vivo investigations on the biological activities of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its principal phenolic ingredients, especially focusing on their anti-diabetics effect. This data has led to the suggestion that saffron (C. sativus L.) and its principal phenolic ingredients might be beneficial for preserving diabetes and its complications; however, the application remains controversial. Therefore, this review highlights the antidiabetic effects of saffron and its main ingredients, related to antioxidant properties of carotenoids of saffron. Key words: Antidiabetic, antioxidant, dyslipidemia, saffron.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by relative or absolute deficiency of insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance that causes chronic hyperglycemia and impaired carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins metabolism (Chaturvedi et al, 2007)
This review highlights the effects of saffron and its main ingredients on various parameters of diabetes including unveiling potential biochemical pathways involved
Saffron extracts influence the content of free radicals and antioxidants in treated animals, suggesting that the levels of free radicals and antioxidants are associated with the diabetic state
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by relative or absolute deficiency of insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance that causes chronic hyperglycemia and impaired carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins metabolism (Chaturvedi et al, 2007). Antioxidant activity of saffron and its ingredients and management of diabetes Recent scientific findings have been encouraging, uniformly showing that saffron and its derivatives can affect hyperglycemia in a variety of in-vivo and in-vitro models, crocin, crocetin and safranal have significant anti-diabetic activity (Kianbakht et al, 2011).
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