Title:Co-administration of Saffron and Chamomile Give Additive Effects of
Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activity with In vivo Augmentation of Brain
BDNF, Acetylcholine Levels and Cognitive Functions in Streptozotocininduced
Diabetic Rats
Volume: 11
Author(s): Saara Ahmad*, Asra Khan, Saiqa Tabassum, Zehra Batool, Saad Bilal Ahmed, Saima Khaliq, Akash Kumar Ahuja, Amrah Hashmi, Hamna Rafiq and Saida Haider
Affiliation:
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Keywords:
Acetylcholine, antioxidant profile, brain derived neurotropic factor, chamomile, cognition, diabetes mellitus, saffron.
Abstract:
Background: Diabetes mellitus refers to comorbidities associated with reduced release
of the brain-derived neurotropic factor and disruption in the metabolism of neurotransmitters leading
to depression and cognitive impairment. Allopathic medications are available for the treatment
of diabetes, but there is no cure and multiple adverse effects adhere to it. The therapeutic effects of
co-administered chamomile with saffron may reverse diabetes and its complications. Co-administration
of chamomile and saffron is effective against diabetes and related complications.
Methods: The present study sought to test the hypothesis, conducted on eighty Sprague-Dawley
rats randomly divided into eight groups (n=10), including healthy controls, diabetic controls,
methanolic extract treatment groups and water decoction treatment groups with respective dosage
once a day for two weeks. The dose of a single herb group in methanolic extract and water decoction
was saffron 10 mg/kg and chamomile 30 mg/kg, while co-administered groups received both
herbs in half doses, saffron 5 mg/kg and chamomile 15 mg/kg. Two widely used tests for the assessment
of memory (elevated plus maze and novel object recognition) were used to assess the mood
and memory (cognitive) performance after the treatment.
Results: It was observed that all treatment groups exhibited antidiabetic effects with improved
mood and enhanced memory, high antioxidant profile, increased brain-derived neurotropic factor
and acetylcholine concentration. However, the effects were greater in the co-administered groups
of saffron and chamomile, especially the combined water decoction group.
Conclusion: The study provides the successful results of co-administration of chamomile and saffron
to alleviate diabetes and related complications.
