Veterinary Research Forum

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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyede Soraya Mahmoudi 1
Esmaeal Tamaddonfard 2
Amir Abbas Farshid 1

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

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

https://doi.org/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 (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 values on days five, 10, 15 and 20 after crush were accelerated, the severities of sciatic nerve degeneration and gastrocnemius muscle atrophy were ameliorated, and the increased malondialdehyde level and the decreased superoxide dismutase activity in the serum were restored by 20 consecutive days of 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 Vit C (100 mg kg-1) showed no behavioral, histopathological and biochemical alterations when compared to intact group. It was concluded that CRT and Vit C produced 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
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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 17, Issue 4
April 2026
Pages 259-265

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

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