University of Birjand Journal of Practical Studies of Biosciences in Sport 2383-0182 11 28 2023 12 22 The effect of 15 days of saffron extract consumption with one session of intense exercise on serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and cortisol in young men The effect of 15 days of saffron extract consumption with one session of intense exercise on serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and cortisol in young men 52 62 2260 10.22077/jpsbs.2022.5543.1735 FA Saeed Ilbeigi Associate Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran 0000-0001-9926-8936 Mohhamdesmaeil Afzapour Professor of Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran Mohammad Yousefi Master of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran Yegane Feizi PhD Student of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran Journal Article 2022 08 10 <strong>Background and Aim</strong>: Since saffron has potential properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, it can play a role in modulating inflammatory factors caused by intense sports activities. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the short-term effect of saffron extract consumption on the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and cortisol in young men after an intense exercise session. <strong>Materials and Methods</strong>: The present research was semi-experimental. Twenty-four male students were randomly divided into two groups (saffron and placebo). Blood sampling was done before and immediately after 30 minutes of vigorous activity with an intensity of 85% of the maximum heart rate stored on the treadmill. After completing the pre-test, the saffron group consumed 400 mg of saffron extract for 15 days, and the placebo group consumed the same amount of starch flour. Then, like the pre-test, two blood samples were taken again before and immediately after intense activity. IL-6 and TNF-α serum levels were determined by ELISA method and cortisol by radioimmunoassay method. Extraction of the results was done using covariance analysis test at a significance level of p≤0.05. <strong>Results</strong>: After the implementation of the intense aerobic protocol, the concentration of cortisol (p₌0.01) and TNF-α (p₌0.02) in the saffron supplement group was significantly lower than the placebo group; However, there was no statistically significant difference in serum IL-6 levels between the two groups (p<0.49). <strong>Conclusion</strong>: short-term consumption of saffron before intense activities can moderate the release of some inflammatory indicators and cortisol, and is desirable for athletes involved in intense activities. <strong>Background and Aim</strong>: Since saffron has potential properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, it can play a role in modulating inflammatory factors caused by intense sports activities. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the short-term effect of saffron extract consumption on the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and cortisol in young men after an intense exercise session. <strong>Materials and Methods</strong>: The present research was semi-experimental. Twenty-four male students were randomly divided into two groups (saffron and placebo). Blood sampling was done before and immediately after 30 minutes of vigorous activity with an intensity of 85% of the maximum heart rate stored on the treadmill. After completing the pre-test, the saffron group consumed 400 mg of saffron extract for 15 days, and the placebo group consumed the same amount of starch flour. Then, like the pre-test, two blood samples were taken again before and immediately after intense activity. IL-6 and TNF-α serum levels were determined by ELISA method and cortisol by radioimmunoassay method. Extraction of the results was done using covariance analysis test at a significance level of p≤0.05. <strong>Results</strong>: After the implementation of the intense aerobic protocol, the concentration of cortisol (p₌0.01) and TNF-α (p₌0.02) in the saffron supplement group was significantly lower than the placebo group; However, there was no statistically significant difference in serum IL-6 levels between the two groups (p<0.49). <strong>Conclusion</strong>: short-term consumption of saffron before intense activities can moderate the release of some inflammatory indicators and cortisol, and is desirable for athletes involved in intense activities. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2260_afd66bc03eda93bed4c32f85d391d4c6.pdf