Dietary saffron reduced the blood pressure and prevented remodeling of the aorta in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Abstract

<em>Objective(s</em><em>):</em>The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nutritional saffron (<em>Crocus sativus</em> L.) stigma hydroalcoholic extract on blood pressure (BP) and histology of the aorta in normotensive and hypertensive rats. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> Saffron (200 mg/kg/day) was given orally for 5 weeks to normotensive and hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 40 mg/kg/day) administration in drinking water, and BP was measured weekly. Histological examination of the thoracic aorta included staining with hematoxylin and eosin, orcein, and periodic acid Schiff methods. <br/><em>Results: </em>Saffron had no effect on normotensive rats, but on hypertensive rats, prevented BP elevation form the third week of treatment (<em>P</em><0.001). Furthermore, saffron reduced the cross-section area, media thickness, and elastic lamellae number of the aorta (<em>P</em><0.05). <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> Nutritional saffron prevented BP increases and remodeling of the aorta in hypertensive rats. It may be useful for preventing hypertension.