The Protective Effects of Safranal against Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in all over the world is considered as a serious threat for human health. Oxidative stress is responsible for occurrence of diabetes by generation of oxygen free-radical, glycosylation of non-enzymatic protein, auto-oxidation of glucose, impaired glutathione metabolism, alteration in antioxidant enzymes, and formation of lipid peroxides. Oxidative stress also causes systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, impaired secretion of pancreatic β cells and impaired glucose utilization in peripheral tissues. Recently, antioxidants have been focused as a therapy for diabetes. The present study has been designed to gather experimental in vitro and in vivo investigations on the anti-diabetic effects of safranal; however, the application has not fully understood. This review indicated the anti-diabetic effects of safranal related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.