Hajieh Shahbazian - Diabetes Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Armaghan Moravej Aleali - Diabetes Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Reza Amani - Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition & Food Science, Food security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Foroogh Namjooyan - Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common health problems worldwide. Studies have shown that saffron and its derivatives may have therapeutic potentials in T2DM through reducing plasma glucose. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of saffron extract on serum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant variables in T2DM patients. Materials and Methods: This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted on 64 T2DM patients. Participants received either 15 mg of saffron or placebo capsules (two pills per day) for 3 months Anthropometric indices, homocysteine, serum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant variables and dietary intake were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: After 3 months of treatment, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) increased significantly in both group (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA),highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin 10(IL-10) after the treatment period (p> 0.05). Homocysteine decteased significantly in control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed no improvement in homocystein levels, antioxidant status and inflammatory biomarkers in T2DM patients after treatment with saffron.

Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Saffron, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Biomarkers