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Background and Objective: Paraquat is a common agricultural herbicide that is a strong stimulus in superoxide anions foundation. Due to the adverse effects of the free radicals, the anti oxidant compounds such as Saffron seem necessary as antioxidants and removing the free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regeneration effect of Saffron on the liver damaged with paraquat in male mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male mice were randomly allocated into 6 groups. Animals in group one were received normal food, water and corn oil. Secound and third groups of mice were treated at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw paraquat, respectively. Animals in the fourth group were received Saffron at a dose of 80 mg/kg/bw. Animals in fifth and sixth two groups were treated with paraquat treated at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw and Saffron (80 mg/kg/bw), orally, per day. At the end of 30 days the mice were anesthesia and blood samples were prepared for measurement of AST and ALT in sera and livers were removed for measurment of MDA, FRAP, katalaze concentration and half of liver was transfer to formaline for histopathological study.
Results: Cell necrosis and inflammation was found in the liver of mice treated with paraquat, also the level of AST, ALT and MDA was significantly increased in compared to controls (P<0.05). Also the level of AST, ALT and MDA and histopathological alterations of liver in animals treated with paraquat at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw and Saffron (80mg/kg/bw) were significantly reduced in compared to paraquat group.
Conclusion: Saffron (80 mg/kg/bw, orally) improves liver dysfunction in mice exposed with paraquat.

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Background and Objective: Lung volume loss, airway obstruction and air flow limitation, and also hypertension are risk factors for mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was done to determine the effect of supplementation of saffron and exercise training on blood pressure changes, pulmonary function and spirometric indices in obese and overweight women affected by type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, forty-eight type 2 diabetic obese and overweight women were non randomly divided into four equal groups including placebo, saffron + training, training + placebo, saffron plus placebo). The saffron group + training and training + placebo groups did aerobic training with intensity of 60-75% of maximal heart rate for 8 weeks (three sessions per week). A daily dose of 400 mg of saffron sprout powder (once a day) was used for two months. The variables were measured in the pre-test, 48 hours and two weeks after the last training session.

Results: Intra-group results showed a significant increase in pulmonary function variables (VO2max, FVC, FEV1, FVC/FEV1, PEF, MVV), and significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and anthropometric indices (weight, BMI, and body fat percentage) in all three groups of exercise, saffron and practice + saffron (P<0.05). However, the results intra-group showed a significant difference in the above variables between the exercise + saffron supplement group in compared to other intervention groups (P<0.05), also, the highest effect was observed in the exercise + supplemental group.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, saffron with exercise led to significant improvement in pulmonary volume and capacities, as well as a decrease in blood pressure in obese and overweight women affected by type 2 diabetes.

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Background and Objective: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that associated with increased serum glucose and insulin function impairment. Exercise training and saffron supplement are known as two effective factors in the prevention of the complications of type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training with the consumption of saffron aqueous extract on malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase in men with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 36 men suffering from type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned into six groups: placebo, aerobic training, aerobic training with supplement consumption, resistance training, and resistance training with supplement consumption. Aerobic training was performed at 50-70% of maximal heart rate, and the resistance training was performed at 65-70% of the maximum replication for eight weeks. The saffron supplement was consumed at the dosage of 3 mg day-1. The concentration of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase was measured before and after the trial after the 12-hour fasting period.
Results: Level of malondialdehyde significantly reduced in placebo and aerobic training with supplement prior to intervention (P<0.05). Level of glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in aerobic training with supplement (P<0.05), resistance training (P<0.05) and resistance training with supplement (P<0.05) groups after intervention.
Conclusion: Aerobic and resistance training and their supplementation with saffron consumption can be regarded as an effective method to improve the peroxidase and antioxidant balance.