Journal article
Efficacy of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) as an add-on to antidepressant medication for the treatment of persistent depressive symptoms in adults: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol.33(11), pp.1415-1427
2019
Abstract
Background:
As a stand-alone intervention, saffron has efficacy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. However, research as an adjunct agent is limited.
Aims:
The effects of saffron as an adjunct to pharmaceutical antidepressants in adults with persistent depression was investigated.
Methods:
In this eight-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adults with persistent depression, currently taking a pharmaceutical antidepressant were given a placebo or a saffron extract (affron®, 14 mg b.i.d.). Primary outcome measures included the clinician-rated Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and self-rated MADRS (MADRS-S). Secondary outcome measures included the Antidepressant Side-Effect Checklist (ASEC) and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36).
Results:
Of the 160 participants enrolled, 139 provided usable data. Based on the MADRS, depressive symptoms decreased more in participants taking saffron compared with a placebo, with reductions of 41 and 21%, respectively (p = 0.001). However, scores on the MADRS-S decreased 27 and 26% in the saffron and placebo conditions, respectively (p = 0.831). Saffron was associated with a greater reduction in adverse effects of antidepressants (p = 0.019), although this was non-significant after covarying for baseline values (p = 0.449). Quality of life improved in both groups with no significant between-group differences (p = 0.638).
Conclusion:
Adjunctive administration of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) for eight weeks was associated with a greater improvement in depressive symptoms as measured by the clinician-rated MADRS but not the self-report MADRS-S. Given the conflicting results, further research is needed to clarify the clinical benefits of saffron as an adjunctive treatment for adults with persistent depressive symptoms despite antidepressant drug treatment.
Details
- Title
- Efficacy of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) as an add-on to antidepressant medication for the treatment of persistent depressive symptoms in adults: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Authors/Creators
- A.L. Lopresti (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS.J. Smith (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS.D. Hood (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaP.D. Drummond (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol.33(11), pp.1415-1427
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Identifiers
- 991005545545107891
- Copyright
- © 2019 by British Association for Psychopharmacology
- Murdoch Affiliation
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
79 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.16 Phytochemicals
- 3.16.2237 Thymoquinone
- Web Of Science research areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurosciences
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- Psychiatry
- ESI research areas
- Neuroscience & Behavior