Journal of Research in Medical Sciences - ۲۰۱۸

"BACKGROUND:
Metabolic control is a major concern in preventing diabetic complications. Saffron as a natural source of antioxidants could play a role in alleviating diabetes insults. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of saffron hydroalcoholic extract on metabolic control in type ۲ diabetes (T۲D) mellitus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This randomized triple blind study was included ۵۴ T۲D patients which randomly received either saffron (Group ۱) or placebo (Group ۲) twice daily other than routine antidiabetic treatments for ۸ weeks. Serum concentration of fasting blood sugar (FBS), ۲-h plasma glucose, hemoglobin A۱c (HbA۱c), total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein were measured as the markers of metabolic control. Anthropometric measures and blood pressure were also measured at the baseline, every ۲ weeks during the intervention and the end of the study. Data analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance test.
RESULTS:
The baseline metabolic parameters were the same in two group (P > ۰.۰۱). FBS serum level significantly decreased within ۸ weeks in the saffron group (۱۲۸.۸۴ ± ۳۱.۸۶) as compared to the placebo (۱۵۳.۷۶ ± ۴۱.۲۳), (P < ۰.۰۰۱). There was no statistical difference in other metabolic parameters such as serum lipids, blood pressure, and HbA۱c (P > ۰.۰۱).
CONCLUSION:
Saffron hydroalcoholic extract may improve blood glucose control by reducing FBS in T۲D patients. However, saffron extract has no significant effect on other aspects of diabetic control in diabetic patients."