[Effect of saffron extract on electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in the male mice]

ABSTRACT

Due to widespread use of saffron [Crocus sativus L] as food colorant and flavor, and its reputation in folk medicine as a drug, recent studies revealed that main components of saffron are the carotenoids crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal which have a large number of physiological effects on different biological systems. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of Crocus sativus on serum proteins pattern in the male mice. Five groups including eight adult male Balb/C mice were used in this study. Normal saline administered as placebo to control group and saffron extract in doses of 25 mg/Kg/48hr, 50 mg/Kg/48hr, 100 mg/Kg/48hr and 200 mg/Kg/48hr were injected intra peritoneally for 20 days to experimental groups. The levels of Albumin, Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta and Gamma globulins were separated electrophoretically and A/G ratio was calculated from the pattern of electrophoretogram. The result indicated that the levels of Albumin increased significantly in two experimental groups that had received 50 mg/Kg/48h and 100 mg/Kg/48h extract of Saffron as compared to the control group, the levels of Alpha-1 didn't have any remarkable changes in any group. The injection of 50 mg/Kg/48h, 100 mg/Kg/48h and 200 mg/Kg/48hr extract of saffron decreased [p < 0.05] the Alpha-2 level in plasma as compared to the control group and levels of Beta globulins increased significantly in these three groups. The levels of Gamma globulins increased significantly in 100 and 200 mg/kg-treated groups as compared to the placebo controlled group. A/G ratio [Albumin/Globulin ratio] were significantly [p < 0.05] lower than control group in any groups that received saffron extract in a dose-dependent manner. Albumin were significantly increased in two groups and A/G ratio was decreased in any groups. This can be interpreted that in the absence of antigen stimulation, serum globulins did alter markedly by extract of saffron. The study shows that since albumin synthesis occurs in the liver cells, thus administration of saffron may improve the status of liver function significantly