Original Articles

Saffron has a therapeutic effect on nephropathy by regulating the expression of TLR4, S100A8, and HMGB1 genes and reducing oxidative stress in diabetic rats

Abstract

Objectives: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes that requires effective treatment options. This study explores the potential benefits of saffron extract as a remedy derived from medicinal plants, focusing on its effects on key inflammatory genes—Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8), and High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1)—as well as its role in reducing oxidative stress in the kidney tissue of rats with type 1 diabetes

Methods:  The rats were randomly divided into 8 groups of 6 each. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (55 mg/kg.bw). Diabetic and control groups were treated with three doses of saffron extract 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg for 60 days. Biochemical kits were used to evaluate Fasting blood Glucose (FBG), urea, creatinine, albumin, lipid profile, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Expression of TLR-4, S100A8, and HMGB1 genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used for data evaluation.

Results: Diabetes significantly impaired the FBG, lipid profile, creatinine, urea, and albumin levels (P<0.05). After treatment with the saffron extract, these parameters were significantly close to the normal range in all groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the saffron extract significantly decreased the expression levels of TLR-4, S100A8, and HMGB1 genes and improved oxidative stress markers (TAC and MDA) in kidney tissues when compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05). In addition, the beneficial effects of saffron were dose-dependent.

Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the saffron extract can lead to the improvement of nephropathy by reducing the expression of TLR-4, S100A8, and HMGB1 genes as well as improving oxidative stress. Thus, it may be used as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic complications.

 

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IssueVol 2 No 2 (2024): . QRcode
SectionOriginal Articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.18502/abi.v2i2.17934
Keywords
Saffron Hydroalcoholic Extract Oxidative stress Gene Expression Diabetes Rat

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1.
Alimoradian A, Karami H, Latifi SA, Ghazavi A, Akbari A, Pilevar Z, Amri J. Saffron has a therapeutic effect on nephropathy by regulating the expression of TLR4, S100A8, and HMGB1 genes and reducing oxidative stress in diabetic rats. ABI. 2024;2(2):78-86.