Effects of crocin on anxiety, depression, and hippocampal BDNF expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Crocin possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of crocin on anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors and its association with hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control (citrate buffer + distilled water), Diabetes (STZ + distilled water), and Diabetes + Crocin (STZ + crocin 30 mg/kg) for 42 days. Behavioral tests, including open field, elevated plus-maze, forced swim, and tail suspension, were conducted on days 21 and 42. Hippocampal levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured, and BDNF expression was assessed. RESULTS: Crocin significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus-maze and depressive-like behavior in the forced swim and tail suspension tests. It improved hippocampal antioxidant status, with increased CAT, SOD, and GPx levels and decreased MDA levels. Crocin also enhanced BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Crocin ameliorates oxidative stress and elevates hippocampal BDNF, leading to reduced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest crocin as a potential therapeutic agent for behavioral and molecular complications associated with diabetes.