title: Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) petal ethanolic extract on hematology, antibody response, and spleen histology in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Saffron petal is a by-product that contains flavonoids and anthocyanins. In order to study the effects of saffron petal extract (SPE) on blood parameters, immune system, and spleen histology, five treatments (n=6) were used in a completely randomized design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The treatments were 0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 mg/kg body weight of SPE. The SPE was injected intraperitoneally to 30 rats (10-week old, weighing 225±15 g) for 14 days. Immunization was performed using 1×10(8) sheep red blood cells (SRBC) on days 0 and 7 subcutaneously in all treatment groups. On day 15, blood was collected from the heart of rats after anesthesia. One part of samples were poured in heparinized tubes for counting whole blood cells (CBC) and different white blood cells (WBC) and the other part was used to measure IgG using ELISA technique. The spleen was stained by hematoxylin- eosin for histological study. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA program and the means evaluation was done using Tukey's test. RESULTS are presented as mean±SD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RESULTS showed no significant difference between treatments and control group regarding the amount of RBC, HGB, HCT, and PLT. The level of IgG at 75 mg/kg was significantly increased in comparison with other groups. No changes were observed in spleen histology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that use of SPE at dose of 75 mg/kg causes an increase in antibody response without any change in hematological parameters and spleen histology.
authors: Department of Animal Sciences, Agriculture Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, I. R. Iran.
authors: Atefeh
authors: A
authors: Babaei
authors: Department of Animal Sciences, Agriculture Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, I. R. Iran.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Arshami
authors: Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad , I. R. Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Haghparast
authors: Department of Animal Sciences, Agriculture Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, I. R. Iran.
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Danesh Mesgaran
keywords: Hematology; Immune system; Rat; Saffron petal extract