title: Protective Role of Crocin Against Nicotine-induced Damages on Male Mice Liver.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nicotine is a major pharmacologically active substance in cigarette smoke. It is mainly metabolized in liver and causes devastating effects. Crocin is the chemical ingredient primarily responsible for the color of saffron. It has different pharmacological effects such as antioxidant and anticancer. This study was designed to evaluate the protective role of crocin against nicotine on the liver of mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight mice were equally divided into 8 groups; control (normal saline), nicotine (2.5 mg/kg), crocin (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and crocin plus nicotine treated groups. Saline, crocin, nicotine and crocin/nicotine (once a day) were intraperitoneally injected for 4 weeks. The liver weight and histology, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum nitric oxide levels have been studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that nicotine administration significantly decreased liver weight (48.37%) and increased the mean diameter of hepatocyte (239%), central hepatic vein (28.45%), liver enzymes level (ALP 29.43%, AST 21.81%, ALT 21.55%), and blood serum nitric oxide level (57.18%) compared to saline group (P < 0.05). However, crocin and crocin plus nicotine administration significantly boosted liver weight (49.54%) and decreased the mean diameter of hepatocyte (40.48%), central hepatic vein (15.44%), liver enzymes (ALP 22.02%, AST 19.05%, ALT 23.11%), and nitric oxide levels (35.80%) in all groups compared to nicotine group (percentages represent the maximum dose) (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crocin showed its partly protective effect against nicotine-induced liver toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jalili
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Hadis
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tabatabaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kakaberiei
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roshankhah
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Salahshoor
keywords: Crocin; liver; mice; nicotine