crocin and Metabolic-Syndrome

A randomized clinical trial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol uptake capacity (CUC) is reduced in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). We have assessed the effect of crocin supplementation on HDL CUC in patients with MetS. Forty-four subjects with MetS were randomly allocated to one of two groups: one group received placebo and the other group received crocin at a dose of 30 mg (two tablets of 15 mg per day) for 8 weeks. Serum biochemical parameters were measured using an AutoAnalyzer BT3000 (BioTechnica). The modified CUC method is a cell free, simple, and high-throughput assay that used to evaluate HDL CUC of serum samples. The decision tree analysis was undertaken using JMP Pro (SAS) version 13. The mean age of the crocin and placebo groups were 38.97 ± 13.33 and 43.46 ± 12.77 years, respectively. There was a significant increase in serum HDL CUC in the crocin group compared to that of the placebo group in patients with MetS (p-value< 0.05). The decision tree analysis showed that serum HDL functionality was more important variable than HDL-C level in predicting patients with hypertension at baseline (p-value < 0.05). Crocin administration (30 mg for a period of 8 weeks) was found to improve serum HDL CUC in patients with MetS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT2013080514279N1.

Topics: Adult; Carotenoids; Cholesterol, HDL; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Pilot Projects

Recent studies have shown that antibody titers to heat shock protein 27 (anti-Hsp27) and serum hs-CRP concentrations are elevated in patients with MetS, and may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Crocin is a natural carotenoid with cardio protective effects.. Because of the previous evidence for the beneficial effects of saffron in patients with MetS, this study investigated the effect of supplementation with crocin, the active ingredient of saffron, on serum anti-Hsp27 and hs-CRP in patients with MetS.. Sixty subjects with metabolic syndrome were randomized to receive crocin (n=30, 15 mg twice a day) or placebo (n=30, twice a day) for a duration of eight weeks. At the end of study, serum anti-Hsp27 and hs-CRP concentrations were measured and compared between the groups.. Serum anti-Hsp27 titers fell by 13% (p>0.05) in the crocin group but it rose in the placebo group by 22% (p>0.05). The magnitude of change in serum anti-Hsp27 titers was not significantly different between the study groups (p = 0.28). In the crocin group, serum anti-Hsp27 changes had a borderline negative correlation with glucose (r= -0.35, p=0.06) and a positive correlation with waist circumference (r=0.39, p=0.035). Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly reduced in both groups but these reductions were not significantly different between the study groups (p = 0.31).. There was no significant effect of crocin on serum anti-Hsp27 titers in subjects with MetS, but this needs further confirmation in larger-scale trials.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies; C-Reactive Protein; Carotenoids; Double-Blind Method; Female; Glucose; Heat-Shock Proteins; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Molecular Chaperones; Waist Circumference

Studies have suggested that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased depressive symptoms, and reducing depression in subjects with MetS is important. Crocin, an active component of saffron, has useful properties for subjects with MetS, including antidepressant properties.. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a preparation of crocin on the symptoms of depression in subjects with MetS, and the relationship between changes in those symptoms and the serum pro-oxidant/anti-oxidant balance (PAB).. This sub-study was carried out on 34 subjects with MetS from the authors' previous randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial (RCT), all of whom met the inclusion criteria for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to treatment and placebo groups (n = 17 in each group) and received each 30 mg of crocin (2 tablets of 15 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BDI questionnaire was completed for each subject at the baseline and at the end of the 8th week of treatment. Blood samples were taken from the subjects before and after the intervention period. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS for Windows, v. 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA).. Out of the 34 participants enrolled, 33 completed the trial. The degree of depression decreased significantly in the crocin group (p = 0.005), but not in the placebo group (p > 0.05), and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (p = 0.013). No significant relationship was observed between changes in depression symptoms and changes in the serum PAB (p > 0.05).. This study demonstrates that at a dose of 30 mg per day for 8 weeks, crocin reduced the symptoms of depression in subjects with MetS compared to the control group, and this effect was independent of its effect on the serum PAB.

Topics: Adult; Affect; Antidepressive Agents; Biomarkers; Carotenoids; Depression; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Iran; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The aim of this study was to assess whether saffron aqueous extract (SAE) or its active constituent, crocin, prevents olanzapine-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance in patients with schizophrenia.. 66 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were on olanzapine treatment (5-20 mg daily) were randomly allocated to receive a capsule of SAE (n=22; 30 mg daily), crocin (n=22; 30 mg daily) or placebo (n=22) in a 12-week triple-blind trial. Patients were screened not to have MetS at baseline and further assessment was done at weeks 6 and 12. Measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBS) and serum lipids were repeated at weeks 2, 6 and 12. Fasting blood levels of insulin and HbA1c were also measured at baseline and week 12. HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were determined to evaluate insulin resistance.. 61 patients completed the trial and no serious adverse effects were reported. Time-treatment interaction showed a significant difference in FBS in both SAE and crocin groups compared to placebo (p=0.004). In addition, SAE could effectively prevent reaching the criteria of metabolic syndrome (0 patients) compared to crocin (9.1%) and placebo (27.3%) as early as week 6.. SAE could prevent metabolic syndrome compared to crocin and placebo. Furthermore, both SAE and crocin prevented increases in blood glucose during the study.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antipsychotic Agents; Benzodiazepines; Blood Glucose; Carotenoids; Crocus; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Olanzapine; Plant Extracts; Schizophrenia; Waist Circumference

This study aims to scrutinize the potential protective effect of diosmin and crocin against cardio-vascular complications attributed to metabolic syndrome (MS). For 16 weeks, the rats were given 10% fructose in water and 3% salt in diet to induce MS over a 16-week period. At week 7 and for 10 weeks, diosmin (50 mg/kg, PO) or crocin (50 mg/kg, PO) was administered daily. Non-invasive blood pressure (BP) was recorded in conscious animals. Thoracic aorta (macro vessels) and kidney (micro vessels) concentration-response curves for phenylephrine (PE) and acetylcholine (ACh) were analyzed. Electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters were recorded. Blood glucose level, serum insulin level, troponin T, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured. In addition, histological examination of aorta and heart tissues was performed. Diosmin and crocin alleviated cardio-vascular complications associated with MS. This is manifested in improvement of systolic and diastolic BP and ECG parameters. They ameliorated MS-induced exaggerated contractility to PE and improved the impaired dilatation to Ach in macro and micro vasculature. Diosmin and crocin reduced the elevated serum levels of insulin, AGEs, TNF-α, and MDA and reversed MS-induced structural changes of aorta and cardiac tissues. Diosmin and crocin offset the cardiac changes and vascular impairment associated with MS via attenuation of oxidative stress and suppression of inflammation.

Topics: Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Diosmin; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Heart Rate; Insulin; Kidney; Male; Malondialdehyde; Metabolic Syndrome; Microvessels; Myocardium; Rats, Wistar; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

In the current study, anti-osteoporotic activities of crocin were evaluated in a rat model of metabolic syndrome-induced osteoporosis. Metabolic syndrome was confirmed by increased body weight gain, increased fasting blood glucose, hyperinsulinemia, elevated mean arterial blood pressure, and increased serum triglycerides level. Crocin (5 or 10 mg/kg) protected against histological and architectural alteration in bone tissues. Further, it ameliorated the decline in the bone formation markers serum alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin level and inhibited the rise in the bone resorption markers serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and collagen cross-linking carboxyterminal telopeptide, type I. Crocin anti-inflammatory properties were confirmed by a significant decline in serum interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Crocin mitigated oxidative stress in femur distal epiphysis tissues. Mechanically, crocin enhanced both the longitudinal and perpendicular forces of femurs. The current data highlight a protective activity that can be attributed, at least partly, to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Metabolic syndrome is a serious health problem. Its prevalence is present in approximately 25% of all adults. Complications of metabolic syndrome include osteoporosis. This poses high risk of fractures and represents a heavy health, social, and economic burden. The current study highlights the antiosteoporotic activities of crocin in an experimental model of osteoporosis. Thus, crocin and/or other structurally related carotenoids can be lead compounds for synthesizing more potent and bioavailable molecules. These are expected to be devoid of the hazardous adverse effects of the currently available medicaments.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Carotenoids; Female; Interleukin-6; Metabolic Syndrome; Osteoporosis; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Nephropathy is a serious complication of metabolic syndrome (MS), a global epidemic disorder. This study was undertaken to investigate the actions of diosmin and crocin, two natural ingredients, on diabetic nephropathy in a rat model of MS and the underlying mechanism(s). Metabolic syndrome was induced by the addition of 10% fructose to drinking water and placing the rats on high-salt diet for 16 weeks. Diosmin and Crocin were orally administrated daily for 10 weeks starting at week 6. At the end of study, arterial blood pressure was non-invasively recorded. Urine, serum and kidneys were collected for renal function, oxidative stress, glycemic parameters, inflammatory markers and histological analysis. Both Diosmin and Crocin improved insulin resistance, decreased blood pressure, uric acid, lipoproteins and blocked diabetic nephropathy as indicated by reduction of albumin excretion rate and albumin/creatinine ratio. They alleviated the impaired filtration in MS as indicated by increased creatinine clearance. They also ameliorated oxidative stress and the low-grade 1inflammation as indicated by reduction of serum TNF-α and inflammatory cells. These observations suggest that both Diosmin and Crocin alleviate metabolic syndrome and the associated nephropathy in rats, possibly, through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Carotenoids; Diosmin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Inflammation; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Glomerulus; Lipids; Male; Malondialdehyde; Metabolic Syndrome; Oxidative Stress; Rats, Wistar; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Uric Acid