Protective potential of crocin against cadmium-induced oxidative pancreatitis and liver injury in female rats

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic heavy metals that are commonly present in the environment. Polyphenolic compounds exhibited the potential to mitigate heavy metal-induced organ toxicity. Crocin is a carotenoid compound of saffron. This study investigated the protective potential of crocin against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced oxidative pancreatitis and liver injury in female rats. Rats were placed into four groups: negative control (NC), CdCl₂- rats (successive 1 and 3 mg/kg bodyweight, per week for 2 weeks), crocin negative control (Crocin NC), and co-treated CdCl₂ rats and crocin (50 mg/kg bodyweight for 14 days, oral). Pancreatic contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glucose, alpha-amylase, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and hydroxyproline (HPY) were estimated. Histopathological analyses of the pancreas and liver were conducted. CdCl₂ elicited oxidative stress, increased glucose levels, activated α-amylase, and elevated NPY and HPY levels. These biochemical findings ran in harmony with histological findings. Co-treatment of CdCl₂-rats with crocin mitigated oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and liver fibrosis. This study suggests that crocin may exhibit protective potential against Cd-induced pancreatitis and hepatotoxicity and may highlight the potential use of NPY and HPY as diagnostic biomarkers in heavy metals-associated toxicities.