Abstract

The effects of ethanol extract of saffron and crocin on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by electric foot shock were examined in male Wistar rats (250-300 g weight). One hundred and twenty eight rats were divided into two categories; the first one (8 groups, n = 7-9 rats/group) underwent bilateral cannulation in basolateral amygdala (BLA) and received intra-BLA saline (1 mu l per rat) extract or crocin (1, 5, 10 mu g per rat), whereas the second category (8 groups, n = 7-9 rats/group) received saline (1 ml kg(-1)) extract or crocin (1, 5, 10 mg kg(-1)) intraperitoneally. Both categories randomly received electric foot shock (0.1 mA) for 100 seconds over a period of 10 days. After returned to cages to repose for 21 clays, the animals were put back into the stress box but received no stress. Plasma corticosterone levels, anorexic time and dopamine-dependent behaviors (rearing, sniffing, locomotion and freezing) were assessed. One-way ANOVA results showed that stress increased plasma corticosterone level and anorexic time but decreased dopamine-dependent behaviors. Intraperitoneal administration of the saffron extract and crocin reduced both plasma corticosterone level and anorexic time, but increased dopamine-dependent behaviors, whereas intra-BLA administration of saffron ethanolic extract and crocin had no significant effect. These findings indicate that saffron ethanolic extract and crocin can reduce hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral signs of PTSD. This effect, however, is exerted on some parts of the central nervous system outside of BLA.