Introduction:
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a supplement known well as a spice used in cooking. Some studies show that saffron may aid in the treatment of depression and Alzheimer’s disease. When used as a weight loss aid, saffron supplements are purported to curb appetite and reduce cravings. Additionally, supplements containing saffron extract may help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Saffron and depression:
Multiple studies by the same authors including Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, and Noorbala AA, found that saffron appears to be effective for depression.
Saffron vs. placebo for depression: A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial involved 40 adults diagnosed with depression. Each person was treated with either a saffron supplement or identical appearing placebo every day for six weeks. At the end of the study, researchers found that the adults taking saffron extract showed less symptoms of depression than those not receiving saffron. The authors concluded that saffron was effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. (1)
Saffron vs. fluoxetine: According to a double-blind 6-week randomized study, use of saffron at 30 mg daily is equally effective as standard treatment for mild to moderate depression. Forty participants with diagnosed depression randomly received either saffron 30 mg/day or fluoxetine 20 mg/day. No significant differences between the two groups were reported. (2)
More on saffron vs. fluoxetine: Evidence for medicinal effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus (saffron) involve treatment of depression . According to results of a 6-week randomized and double-blind clinical trial by Akhondzadeh et al., use of saffron at 30 mg daily is more effective than placebo and equally effective as standard treatment for major depression. Forty adults who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) for major depression based on the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV and with mild to moderate depression participated in the trial. Patients were randomly assigned to receive capsules of saffron 30 mg/day (Group 1) or a capsule of fluoxetine (an antidepressant) 20 mg/day (Group 2) for a 6-week study. Saffron at this dose was found to be effective similar to fluoxetine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. There were no significant differences in the two groups in terms of observed side effects. The results of this study according to the authors indicated effectiveness of Crocus sativus in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. (3)
Saffron and Alzheimer’s disease:
Saffron vs. placebo in Alzheimer’s: Crocus sativus (saffron) was studied in relation to cognitive function in 46 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, showed that 15 mg of saffron twice per day was both safe and effective in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Results show that among patients who took saffron, cognitive function (as measured by AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale [ADAS-cog] and clinical dementia rating scale-sums [CDR] of boxes) was significantly better when compared to those taking similar looking placebo pills. (4)
Saffron extract vs. donepezil: Saffron extract in the treatment of 54 Persian-speaking patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (aged 55 years or older) was analyzed in this 22-week, double-blind study. Each participant was randomly assigned to receive saffron at 30 mg/day (15 mg twice per day) or donepezil at 10 mg/day (5 mg twice per day). Cognitive function in both groups was measured using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sums of Boxes scores compared with baseline. Researchers found saffron had a similar effect to the drug donepezil in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s—but with significantly less vomiting experienced among the saffron group. (5)
Saffron and weight loss:
Satiereal, commonly known as saffron extract, may act as an appetite suppressant. It was examined as a weight loss aid in a randomized placebo-controlled study. The study was designed to look at two primary outcomes: actual weight lost and how much the participants snacked. The researchers divided 60 mildly overweight women into two randomized groups. Twice daily during an 8-week period, one group was given a Satiereal extract supplement and the other group an identical appearing placebo. At the end of the study period, the researchers found that the saffron group had less snacking and a greater loss in body weight compared to the women in the placebo group. They believe Satiereal can contribute to eventual weight loss as a supplement to a weight loss program and/or diet. (6)
Saffron and premenstrual syndrome:
Women aged 20-45 years with regular menstrual cycles and who had experienced premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms for at least 6 months were randomly assigned to receive capsule saffron (Crocus sativus L.) 30 mg/day (15 mg twice a day; morning and evening) (group A) or placebo (twice a day) for two menstrual cycles (cycles 3 and 4). In a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, saffron was found to be effective in relieving symptoms of PMS. A significant difference was observed in efficacy of saffron in cycles 3 and 4 in the Total Premenstrual Daily Symptoms and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. These findings suggest that saffron is effective in the treatment of PMS. (7)
Assessment and Plan: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)
- More research is needed on saffron (Crocus sativus L.), but this supplement may be a considered as a trial to treat mild to moderate depression or mild to moderate Alzheimer’s due to relative safety and a lack of serious adverse effects.
- According to multiple well designed studies by the same group of authors, saffron at a dose of 30 mg per day may be effective for mild to moderate depression (1,2,3). Patients were randomly assigned to receive capsules of saffron 30 mg/day (Group 1) or a capsule of fluoxetine (an antidepressant) 20 mg/day without significant differences in treatment results and saffron may be as effective as fluoxetine (2,3).
- Saffron at a dose of 15 mg oral twice per day appeared to improve cognitive function both against placebo (4), and was comparable to donepezil at a dose of 5 mg twice per day with significantly less adverse effects such as vomiting within the saffron group (5).
- In one study, researchers found that a group taking saffron had less snacking and a greater loss in body weight compared to women in a placebo group with a proposed mechanism of appetite suppression (6). The weight loss over placebo was small and more research is needed.
- In a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, saffron was found to be effective in relieving symptoms of PMS measured by the total premenstrual daily symptoms scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (7).
- Avoid saffron in cases of allergy to the plant or related plant family.
References:
1.Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, Noorbala AA, Amini H, Fallah-Pour H, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. Crocus sativus L. in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2005 Feb;19(2):148-51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15852492
2.Noorbala AA, Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, et al. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus L. versus fluoxetine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized pilot trial. J Ethnopharmacol . 2005;97:281–4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15707766
3.Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, Noorbala AA, et al. Crocus sativus L. in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res . 2005;19:148–51. http://www.narvalpharma.com/en/pdf/VS_FLUOXETINA_elsevier.pdf
4.Akhondzadeh S, Sabet MS, Harirchian MH, Togha M, Cheraghmakani H, Razeghi S, Hejazi SSh, Yousefi MH, Alimardani R, Jamshidi A, Zare F, Moradi A. Saffron in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2010 Oct;35(5):581-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20831681
5.Akhondzadeh S, Shafiee Sabet M, Harirchian MH, et al. A 22-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of Crocus sativus in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010;207(4):637-43. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19838862
6.Gout B, Bourges C, Paineau-Dubreuil S. Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women. Nutr Res. 2010 May; 30(5):305-13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20579522
7.Agha-Hosseini M, Kashani L, Aleyaseen A, Ghoreishi A, Rahmanpour H, Zarrinara AR, Akhondzadeh S. Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG. 2008 Mar;115(4):515-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18271889