ffect of Saffron Extract (Crocin) on Bax and Bcl2 and Oxidative Stress Levels in Testis Tissue of ‎Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases and causes oxidative stress in testis tissue. Today, in the treatment of diabetes, the tendency toward herbal medicines is increasing day by day. This study has been done with the aim of studying the crocin on Bax and Bcl2 and anti-oxidant levels of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Method: In this experimental study, which was performed at Payam Noor University, 24 rats were divided into 4 groups: control, untreatment diabetic, 2 crocin (50, 100 mg/ml, 25 days intraperitoneal injection)-treated diabetic groups. The diabetic groups were diabetic with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). On day 25, the testicles were exited to evaluate antioxidant enzymes and Bax and Bcl2. The results were analyzed by using SPSS 20 software, one-way ANOVA and LSD tests. Results: The level of pro-apoptotic Bax and malondialdehyde level in the treated group with a concentration of 100 mg/ml of crocin was significantly reduced compared to the treatment group with a concentration of 50 mg/ml of crocin and control group. However, the level of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 and glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in the treated group with a concentration of 100 mg/ml of crocin was significantly increased compared to the treatment group with a concentration of 50 mg/ml of crocin and control group (p <0.05); which indicates the effect of crocin concentration. Also, crosin significantly reduced the level of glucose in diabetic rats. Conclusion crocin improves the antioxidant indicators and diabetes-induced damages in testis tissue of diabetic rats.