Effect of Crocin and Losartan on Insulin Resistance and Protecting Pancreatic Tissue in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background and purpose: Crocin as a carotenoid exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-diabetic effects. There is an increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications and patients are more interested in natural product treatments. This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of crocin and losartan alone and combination of the two drugs on insulin resistance and protecting pancreatic tissue in an animal model of diabetes. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) in 40 rats .Four weeks after induction of diabetes, the treatment groups received crocin (50 mg/kg) and losartan (25 mg/kg) daily or combination of these drugs for 4 weeks via gavage. Then, FBS, weight, insulin, and lipid profiles were investigated and histopathology of pancreatic tissues were evaluated. Results: Findings showed that crocin and losartan can be effective in improving the symptoms of diabetes (hyperglycemia, increase in body weight, increased HOMA-IR, QUICKI reduction, hyperlipidemia, and pancreatic tissue damage). Also, combination of crocin and losartan increased its effectiveness in improving the symptoms of diabetes. Conclusion: According to this study, crocin could contribute to development of phytotherapeutic techniques in treatment of diabetes and its complications. Also, this study showed that crocin in combination with losartan increases the effectiveness of losartan against diabetes. However, more human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.