Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Effect of crocetin on functional recovery in the rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury: Comparison with vitamin C

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

soraya mahmoudi 1
Esmaeal Tamaddonfard 2
Amir Abbas Farshid 3

1 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Division of Pathoology, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University,

3 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Urmia University

10.30466/vrf.2025.2055360.4692
Abstract
Crocetin (CRT) is one of the active chemical compounds of saffron and has many biological effects such as antioxidant property. The present study investigated the effects of CRT on crushed sciatic nerve function. Vitamin C (Vit C) was used as an antioxidant drug. Thirty rats were divided into six groups including intact, sham, crush, CRT 7.50, CRT 30.00 and Vit C 100. Nine other rats with no surgery were scheduled in three groups to receive 7.50 and 30.00 mg kg-1 CRT and 100 mg kg-1 Vit C. In anesthetized rats, right sciatic nerve was crushed using a small hemostatic forceps. Sciatic functional index (SFI) values at days 5, 10, 15 and 20 after crush were accelerated, the severities of sciatic nerve degeneration and gastrocnemius muscle atrophy were ameliorated, and the increased MDA level and the decreased SOD activity in the serum were restored by 20 consecutive days oral administration of 30.00 mg kg-1 CRT and 100 mg kg-1 Vit C. No significant differences were observed between 30.00 mg Kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1 Vit C. The groups that did not have surgery but received CRT (7.50 and 30.00 mg kg-1) and vitamin C (100 mg kg-1) showed no behavioral, histopathological and biochemical alterations when compared with intact group. It is concluded that CRT and Vit C produce similar improving effects on crushed-injured sciatic nerve function. Inhibition of oxidative stress, enhancement of endogenous antioxidant activity might be involved in improving effects of CRT and Vit C.

Keywords

Crocetin
Histopathology
Oxidative stress
Sciatic nerve
Vitamin C
Subjects
Veterinary Research Forum

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 May 2026

  • Receive Date 08 March 2025
  • Revise Date 06 June 2025
  • Accept Date 19 July 2025

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