Effect of crocin of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. on serum inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-<i>α</i>) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Mohammad Reza Aslani, Nasim Abdollahi, Somaieh Matin, Anahita Zakeri, Hassan Ghobadi
Abstract
Abstract Different factors, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, affect the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as a progressive disease characterised by permanent airflow limitation. Herbal supplements with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help treat certain chronic diseases. The current study aimed at investigating the preventive effects of crocin supplementation on the serum concentrations of IL-6, TNF- α , exercise capacity and pulmonary function tests (PFT) in patients with COPD. The present prospective randomised clinical trial equally divided fifty-seven patients with COPD into a placebo and an intervention group, who respectively received a placebo and crocin (15 mg twice day for 12 weeks) as a supplement. ELISA was used to measure serum levels of IL-6 and TNF- α , also PFT and exercise capacity based on 6-min walking distance test (6MWD), which was performed at the beginning and end of the study. Crocin improved the results of PFT ( P < 0·05) and 6-MWD ( P < 0·001) and exerted preventive effects by increasing the serum levels of IL-6 in patients with COPD compared with those in the placebo group ( P < 0·05). Intervention with crocin significantly lowered serum levels of TNF- α at the end of the study ( P < 0·01). The present findings suggest crocin supplementation improves exercise capacity and PFT in patients with COPD by reducing serum levels of inflammatory factors.