Saffron and saffron ingredients like safranal and crocin’s cytoprotective effects on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate the liver-protective effects of saffron and saffron components like crocin and safranal against acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats.
METHODS: 72 male Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into nine groups: 8 in each group. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the seventh day with high excretion (exsanguination). The protective effect of saffron, safranal and crocin against CCl4-induced acute liver injury was evaluated histopathologically.
RESULTS: In the study, balloon degeneration, apoptotic cells and sub-massive necrosis were seen in hepatocytes as a result of- the effect of CCl4. These histopathological changes were hardly seen in groups in which CCl4 was administered with crocin and saffron. On the other hand, in the group where saphranal and CCl4 were given together, changes similar to the histopathological changes seen in the CCl4 group were observed.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that crocin and saffron have hepatoprotective effect in the experimental acute liver injury caused by CCl4, but the safranal has no protective effect on the liver.