EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CROCUS SATIVUS L. (SAFFRON) STIGMA ON SERUM LEVELS OF FUNCTIONAL LIVER MARKERS AND HEPATIC TISSUE INJURY IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

In this study, protective effects of saffron against biochemical and histopathological changes of liver were assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each, including Group 1, healthy control; Group 2 healthy rats treated with saffron extract; Group 3, diabetics and Group 4, diabetics treated with saffron extract. For induction of diabetes, single dose of streptozotocin (75 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. From the beginning of experiment, the extract was injected daily at a dose of 40 mg/kg b.w. by intraperitoneal route for 8 weeks. Control groups received normal saline in similar manner. At the end of experiment, serum biomarkers of liver tissue injury and histological changes of hepatic tissues were evaluated. In diabetic rats, serum levels of functional liver markers were found to be significantly increased as compared to control group (p<0.05), while this markers in diabetic rats treated with saffron extract  significantly decreased as compared to diabetic rats. Histopathological findings were in consistent with biochemical results. The results obtained showed that ethanolic extract of saffron has hepatoprotective activity against diabetic hepatopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.