The brain and systemic oxidative stress and memory changes induced by inhaled paraquat in rat improved by Crocus sativus

•Inhaled paraquat induced lung injury and inflammation in rat.•Crocus sativus and pioglitazone treatment alone improved lung and systemic inflammation.•Crocus sativus and pioglitazone treatment alone improved memory impairment induced by inhaled PQ.•Crocus sativus showed synergic effects with pioglitazone. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Crocus sativus (Cs) on paraquat (PQ)-induced learning and memory deficits as well as brain and lung oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress in rats. Rats were exposed to saline (Ctrl) or PQ (PQ groups) aerosols. PQ groups were treated with 0.03 mg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dexa), 20 and 80 mg/kg/day Cs-L and Cs-H, 5 mg/kg/day pioglitazone (Pio), and Cs-L+Pio for 16 days during PQ exposure period. Learning and memory abilities were assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance tests. PQ group showed increased numbers of total and differential WBCs in blood, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA), in the serum, brain, and lung but reduced thiol, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels compared to the control group (for all, p