Nanofiber-based delivery of Crocus sativus phenolic compounds to ameliorate the cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of two formulations derived from Crocus sativus, namely the C. sativus phenolic enriched fraction (CPEF) and the nanofibers loaded with C. sativus phenolic compounds (CPN), in mice with liver toxicity induced by cisplatin (CP). The CPN formulation exhibited a ribbon-like morphology with a diameter of 312.2 nm, zeta potential of −24.5 mV and an encapsulation efficiency of 89.6 %. In vivo analysis revealed that treatment with CPEF and CPN significantly improved the weight and food intake of mice with hepatotoxicity (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, administration of these formulations resulted in significant reductions (p ≤ 0.05) in liver enzymes and enhancement in the serum redox potential (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Additionally, CPN down-regulated the expression of iNOS and IFN-γ in the liver, while up-regulated the expression of SOD. These findings suggest that the nanofiber-based delivery of Crocus sativus phenolic compounds may offer a promising strategy for mitigating the adverse hepatotoxic effects of cisplatin as an chemotherapeutic agent.