Co-administration of Saffron and Chamomile Give Additive Effects of Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activity with In vivo Augmentation of Brain BDNF, Acetylcholine Levels and Cognitive Functions in Streptozotocininduced Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus refers to comorbidities associated with reduced release of the brain-derived neurotropic factor and disruption in the metabolism of neurotransmitters leading to depression and cognitive impairment. Allopathic medications are available for the treatment of diabetes, but there is no cure and multiple adverse effects adhere to it. The therapeutic effects of co-administered chamomile with saffron may reverse diabetes and its complications. Co-administration of chamomile and saffron is effective against diabetes and related complications. Methods: The present study sought to test the hypothesis, conducted on eighty Sprague-Dawley rats randomly divided into eight groups (n=10), including healthy controls, diabetic controls, methanolic extract treatment groups and water decoction treatment groups with respective dosage once a day for two weeks. The dose of a single herb group in methanolic extract and water decoction was saffron 10 mg/kg and chamomile 30 mg/kg, while co-administered groups received both herbs in half doses, saffron 5 mg/kg and chamomile 15 mg/kg. Two widely used tests for the assessment of memory (elevated plus maze and novel object recognition) were used to assess the mood and memory (cognitive) performance after the treatment. Results: It was observed that all treatment groups exhibited antidiabetic effects with improved mood and enhanced memory, high antioxidant profile, increased brain-derived neurotropic factor and acetylcholine concentration. However, the effects were greater in the co-administered groups of saffron and chamomile, especially the combined water decoction group. Conclusion: The study provides the successful results of co-administration of chamomile and saffron to alleviate diabetes and related complications.