Saffron (<scp><i>Crocus sativus</i></scp> L.) in combination with resistance training reduced blood pressure in the elderly hypertensive men: A randomized controlled trial
Babak Hooshmand Moghadam, Mozhgan Eskandari, Fatemeh Shabkhiz, Shima Mojtahedi, Nahid Mahmoudi
Abstract
Aims We aimed to determine the independent and combined effects of saffron and resistance training on blood pressure (BP) and some chemical biomarkers in the elderly with hypertension. Methods The present study was a randomized clinical trial on hypertensive men aged 60–70 years who were assigned to a control group (CO) and 3 experimental groups; resistance training (RT); saffron (S); and resistance training + saffron (RTS) for 12 weeks. Dynamic resistance training was applied with moderate intensity. Patients in S and RTS received 1 tablet containing 200 mg of saffron daily. BP variables, chemical biomarkers and anthropometric indicators were measured at weeks 0, 6, 12 and 18. Data were analysed by repeated measurements ANOVA with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results In comparison to the CO (153.3 ± 1.18, CI = 10.9–20.2, P < .001) and S (143.3 ± 1.18, CI = 0.97–10.2, P = .01), RTS (137.7 ± 1.18) reduced systolic BP with the effect size partial η 2 of 0.68. Nitric oxide increased in the RTS compared to the CO group (CI = 0.13–0.62, P = .001). There was a significant increase and decrease in adiponectin and endothelin‐1 in the S (CI = 0.03–1.20, P = .012; CI = 4.30–17.3, P < .001) and RT (CI = 0.36–1.60, P < .001; CI = 2.26–15.3, P = .003) compared to the CO, respectively. The partial η 2 for nitric oxide, adiponectin and ET‐1 were 0.35, 0.35 and 0.38, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups for atrial natriuretic peptide. Conclusions Resistance training and consumption of saffron can improve BP in the elderly with hypertension by affecting the factors involved in altering vascular endothelial resistance. The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Iran's sports science research institution (IR.SSRC.REC.1398.020) and registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20190731044398N1).