Protective Effect of Crocin on Ovarian Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Abstract

Background & Aims: Ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury of the ovary may lead to ovarian injury. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of the crocin on ovarian I-R injury. Materials & Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: sham surgery, ischemia, I-R, I-R+normal saline (NS), I-R+low dose crocin (20 mg/kg crocin), and I-R+ high dose crocin (80 mg/kg crocin). Neurological function, biochemical and histological evaluation was done 72 hours after ischemia. Results: The plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and Total Antioxidative Capacity (TAC) in the ischemia, I-R, and I-R+ NS groups increased and decreased significantly compared to the crocin groups, respectively (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). Catalase activity in the high dose crocin group was higher than the ischemia, I-R, and I-R+ NS groups (p<0.01). The mean scores of edema, congestion, hemorrhage, and follicular degeneration were significantly lower than in the crocin groups than in the ischemia, I-R, and I-R+NS groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings suggest that crocin may protect ovary from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Keywords

• crocin
• ischemia
• reperfusion
• ovary
• rat