Abstract
Background: Saffron is one of the main food products in Iran, and its countless medicinal properties have been used widely in traditional medicine. Many studies conducted and reported in the literature have shown that plant-based medicines, such as chemical drugs, may also have unexpected side effects. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the saffron petal (HAESP) on the liver and kidney, particularly on their functional parameters in rats.
 Methods: The first group (control) received ordinary daily dietary regime. In addition, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed an ordinary dietary regimen along with HAESP (at 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg/day). The treatment was continued on a daily basis for four weeks, and upon the termination of the treatment, blood samples were collected from all the rats. Then, tissue samples were prepared from the animals’ kidney and liver for histological studies.
 Results: The histological results are indicators of notable changes in the glomerulus, tubules, and interstitial tissue of the kidney cross-sections for the groups receiving HAESP. In the central vein region and the port space of the liver cross-sections, dose-dependent changes were found in the groups that had received HAESP. The study results also suggest a considerable statistical increase in the mean levels of renal enzymes and hepatic enzymes in different groups receiving HAESP.
 Conclusion: The findings of the present study reflect the idea that the saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract can be effective even on renal and hepatic cells, and even in non-poisonous dosages. Therefore, care should be exercised in using the extract for its potentially therapeutic effects.
Highlights
Access to and use of industrial drugs and substances have increased, along with the progress in science and industrialization of communities
The results obtained from the study during the stage of determining the acute toxicity of the saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract (HAESP) indicated that LD50 and LD100 of the saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract are about 670 mg/kg and 1463 mg/kg, respectively (Table 1)
In the hepatic tissue of the animals which received saffron petal hydroalcoholic extracts, the reversible hydropic changes were found undergoing a linear increase with the elevation of the dosage in such a way that these changes were found mini-mild in the group that had received 200 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of the saffron petal (HAESP), mild in the group that had received 400 mg/kg of HAESP, and mild to intermediate in the group that had received 600 mg/kg of HAESP (Figure 2)
Summary
Access to and use of industrial drugs and substances have increased, along with the progress in science and industrialization of communities. Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.), known as the most expensive spice in the world, is a small flower-bearing plant that belongs to the Iridaceous family 3. This perennial plant is cultivated in Azerbaijan, France, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Spain, China, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico 4. Saffron contains more than 150 chemical ingredients, amongst which three main elements, namely crocin (color), picrocrocin (flavor), and safranal (odor), are responsible for its pharmacological effects 8. Investigating the histopathological effects of saffron petal (Crocus Sativus L.) hydroalcoholic extract on kidney and liver functional parameters in rats. The present study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the saffron petal (HAESP) on the liver and kidney, on their functional parameters in rats.
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