The effect of saffron and its constituent, crocin, on anterior pituitary-gonadal axis during pregnancy in the rat: A time-course study

Abstract

Saffron is traditionally used in some developing countries for abortion. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of saffron aqueous extract and crocin, as one of its constituents, on the secretion of reproductive hormones in pregnant rats. The alteration of reproductive hormones was assayed in the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy following the administration of different doses of saffron aqueous extract and crocin. Compared to the control group of each stage of pregnancy, the administration of an aqueous extract of saffron reduced estradiol levels in the early and late stages of pregnancy. A high dose of saffron extract in the middle and late stages of pregnancy and crocin in the late stages of pregnancy increased FSH serum levels. Saffron extract in the early stages and crocin in the late stages of pregnancy increase LH levels in a dose-dependent manner. The saffron extract reduces serum progesterone in all three stages of pregnancy. The current study indicated that the abortion effect of saffron is commonly exerted in the early and late stages of pregnancy. In addition, crocin has fewer effects on pregnancy than saffron and can only affect pregnant rats at high doses in the late stages of pregnancy.