The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) hydro-alcoholic extract on liver and renal functions in type 2 diabetic patients: A double-blinded randomized and placebo control trial

Abstract

Background and aimUncontrolled diabetes causes liver and renal dysfunctions. Since, saffron may improve diabetes control and indicate renal and liver protection, this study purposed to illustrate for the first time the effects of saffron extract on some liver and renal functional parameters among diabetic patients. Materials and methodsIn this double-blind clinical trial, 54 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly recruited to consume either 15 mg saffron extract (n = 27) or placebo capsules (n = 27) twice a day for 8 weeks. Alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine amino transferase, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine of the patients as well as their physical activity, dietary intakes, anthropometric measures and blood pressure were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS.18 software. ResultsUric acid and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased in the saffron group (P < 0.05), however, there were no significant differences between the two groups at the end of the study (p = 0.29 and 0.14, respectively). Moreover, changes in other profiles, including liver enzymes, were not statistically significant in the two groups. Also, no significant changes in blood pressure, dietary intakes, and physical activity were seen among the two groups. ConclusionSaffron hydro-alcoholic extract did not considerably improve renal and liver functions in T2DM patients in an 8-week randomized clinical trials. The results deserved further investigations with more accurate methods to confirm.