Inhibition of Inflammatory Response by Crocin Attenuates Hemorrhagic Shock-Induced Organ Damages in Rats

Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is associated with an excessive activation of inflammation, contributing to multiple organ failure in numerous medical or surgical conditions. To explore the therapeutic potential of crocin, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties, we administered crocin to rats during resuscitation following HS induced by withdrawing blood. Compared with control animals which were sham-treated, HS-operated rats showed organ damages as manifested by enhanced markers of multiple organ dysfunctions. Crocin treatment substantially reduced these parameters in rats subjected to HS, suggesting an alleviation of tissue injuries such as in the kidney, liver, pancreas, and muscle. The activation of NF-kappa B (nuclear factor kappa B) pathway in lung tissue by HS, as shown by increased nuclear translocation of p65 and I kappa B alpha phosphorylation, was diminished by crocin treatment. The crocin administration also significantly decreased the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6, whereas increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in HS-operated rats. These studies indicate that crocin administration may reduce inflammation-driven tissue damage in patients with HS.