Crocetin ameliorative effect on diabetic nephropathy in rats through a decrease in transforming growth factor-β and an increase in glyoxalase-I activity.

Background & Aims: Glycation, oxidative stress, and inflammation due to the elevation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) participate in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Thus, we investigated for the first time the effect of crocetin (Crt) on the renal histopathological parameters, TGF-β1 and glycation, oxidative stress, as well as inflammatory markers in the DN rat model.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: normal (N), N + Crt, DN, and DN + Crt.