The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) hydroalcoholic extract on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A triple?blinded randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Metabolic control is a major concern in preventing diabetic complications. Sa?ron as a natural source of antioxidants could play a role in alleviating diabetes insults. Te aim of this study was to investigate e?ect of sa?ron hydroalcoholic extract on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus. Materials and Methods: Tis randomized triple blind study was included 54 T2D patients which randomly received either sa?ron (Group 1) or placebo (Group 2) twice daily other than routine antidiabetic treatments for 8 weeks. Serum concentration of fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2?h plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), 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 2 weeks during the intervention and the end of the study. Data analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance test. Results: Te baseline metabolic parameters were the same in two group (P > 0.01). FBS serum level signifcantly decreased within 8 weeks in the sa?ron group (128.84 ± 31.86) as compared to the placebo (153.76 ± 41.23), (P < 0.001). Tere was no statistical di?erence in other metabolic parameters such as serum lipids, blood pressure, and HbA1c (P > 0.01). Conclusion: Sa?ron hydroalcoholic extract may improve blood glucose control by  reducing FBS in T2D patients. However, sa?ron extract has no signifcant e?ect on other aspects of diabetic control in diabetic patients.