Crocin Mitigates Age Related Sarcopenia in Rats By Increased Mitochondrial Activity and Up-Regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway

Background: Sarcopenia has always been associated with aging and the elderly. It is thought that crocin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Objective: We looked at Crocin impact on age related sarcopeniaand its potential underlying molecular processes. Material and Methods: Thirty adult male rats were split into three groups: aged, control, and aged+crocin. In addition to muscle TNF-α, muscle IL-6, serum MIF, serum IGF-1, serum CK and muscle MDA assessment, rats were also assessed regarding EMG recordings, muscle citrate synthase, muscle GSH, and muscle Nrf-2, HO-1, and myogenin gene expression. The muscle was also evaluated histopathologically. Results: While the aged group's muscle TNF-α, muscle IL-6, serum MIF, serum CK, and muscle MDA were dramatically higher than the control, the aged group's measured mean frequency, mean power, muscle citrate synthase, serum IGF-1, muscle GSH, muscle Nrf-2, HO-1, and myogenin gene expression were significantly lower. Crocin significantly reduced age-related alterations. Conclusion: Through anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enhanced mitochondrial activity methods, as well as through up-regulating the expression of the Nrf-2, HO-1, and myogenin genes, crocin improved age-related sarcopenia.