Effects of crocin supplementation on lipid profile and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial

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Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major problem around the world. Dietary phytochemicals have been recommended to modify the risk factors and slow down the disease progression. Available data indicated the beneficial effects of crocin, a carotenoid compound, on T2DM; however, no clinical trial study has not been done in this regard. So, the goal of this study was to see the effects of crocin supplementation on lipid profile and oxidative stress in patients with T2DM.Methods: In this 12-week clinical trial using a parallel-group design, 50 patients with T2DM were randomly assigned to either 30 mg crocin or placebo using categorized blocks based on age and sex. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, physical activity, lipid profile, and oxidative stress were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. Results: Compared with the placebo group, crocin reduced plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) (P= 0.007) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS) (P= 0.012). Crocin resulted in substantial improvements in plasma levels of TG, TOS, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), according to the within-group analyses.Conclusions: Crocin intake may help people with T2DM to improve their TG and TOS levels. More research is needed to confirm these results.Trial registration: IRCT20170408033308N2 (first registration: 13/ 08/ 2019).