The potential effect of the extract of Crocus sativus and safranal on the total and differential white blood cells of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs.

Previous studies have indicated relaxant, inhibitory effect on histamine (H1) and muscarinic receptors, and stimulatory effect on β-drenoceptor of Crocus sativus on guinea pig tracheal chains. In the present study, the effect of the extract of C. sativus and one of its constituents, safranal, on the inflammatory changes of sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Eight groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin were studied. One group was given drinking water alone (group S), while other 7 groups were received drinking water containing; three concentrations of safranal (4, 8 and 16 μg/ml), three concentrations of extract (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/ml) and one concentration of dexamethasone (S+D group), (six animal in each group). Total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in blood were evaluated. Total blood WBC number, eosinophyl and lymphocyte percentage in blood were increased, but neutrophil decreased in sensitized animals compared to those of control groups (P<0.05 to P<0.001). Treatment of animals with dexamethasone, all concentrations of the extract and safranal significantly improved most types of WBCs but total WBC number was only decreased in treated groups with dexamethasone and high concentration of the extract compared to group S (P<0.05 to P<0.001). Safranal was more effective in the improvement of eosinophil and lymphocyte compared to the extracts (P<0.001 for both cases). However, the preventive effect of the extract of C. sativus on total WBC count was more prominent than that of the safranal (P<0.01). These results showed a preventive effect of the extract of C. sativus and its constituent safranal on total and differential count of WBC in blood of sensitized guinea pigs. The results also suggest that the effect of the plant is perhaps due to its constituent of safranal.