Effects of crocin and saffron aqueous extract on gene expression of SIRT1, AMPK,LOX1, NF‐κB,and MCP‐1 in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial

This trial evaluated the potential impacts of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) and its main carotenoid on some of the atherosclerosis‐related gene expression and serum levels of oxidized low‐density cholesterol (ox‐LDL) and Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Participants of this randomized controlled trial included 84 CAD patients who categorized into three groups: Group 1 received crocin (30 mg/day), Group 2 SAE (30 mg/day), and Group 3 placebo for 8 weeks. Gene expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), 5'‐adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), Lectin‐like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX1), nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB), and MCP‐1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells assessed by real‐time PCR. Furthermore, serum ox‐LDL and MCP‐1 levels measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. Compared with the placebo group, gene expression of SIRT1 and AMPK increased significantly in the crocin group (p = .001), and the expression of LOX1 and NF‐κB decreased significantly (p = .016 and .004, respectively). Serum ox‐LDL levels decreased significantly in the crocin group after the intervention (p = .002) while MCP‐1 levels decreased both in crocin and SAE groups (p = .001). Crocin may have beneficial effects on CAD patients by increasing the gene expression of SIRT1 and AMPK and decreasing the expression of LOX1 and NF‐κB.