Crocus sativus L. in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double‐blind, randomized and placebo‐controlled trial
Abstract
Depression is a serious disorder in today's society, with estimates of lifetime prevalence as high as 21% of the general population in some developed countries. As a therapeutic plant, saffron is considered excellent for stomach ailments and as an antispasmodic, to help digestion and to increase appetite. It is also used for depression in Persian traditional medicine. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of the stigmas of Crocus sativus (saffron) in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in a 6-week double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized trial. Forty adult outpatients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition for major depression based on the structured clinical interview for DSM IV participated in the trial. Patients had a baseline Hamilton rating scale for depression score of at least 18. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-centre and randomized trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive a capsule of saffron 30 mg[sol ]day (BD) (Group 1) or a capsule of placebo (BD) (Group 2) for a 6-week study. At 6 weeks, Crocus sativus produced a significantly better outcome on the Hamilton depression rating scale than the placebo (d.f. = 1, F = 18.89, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the two groups in terms of the observed side effects. The results of this study indicate the efficacy of Crocus sativus in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. A large-scale trial is justified.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Saffron was more effective than placebo therapy and could be compared with conventional antidepressants like fluoxetine and imipramine.
“In addition, saffron was more effective than placebo therapy and could be compared with conventional antidepressants like fluoxetine and imipramine (Akhondzadeh et al. 2004(Akhondzadeh et al. , 2005;;Akhondzadeh Basti et al. 2007).”
From <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study (2019) · cites this paper as Akhondzadeh et al. 2005
The efficacy of saffron in relation to placebo for treatment of depression has been documented.
“however, the efficacy of saffron in relation to placebo for treatment of depression has been documented (Akhondzadeh et al. 2005).”
From <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study (2019) · cites this paper as Akhondzadeh et al. 2005
The lack of a placebo-controlled trial is the main limitation of the study.
“The lack of a placebocontrolled trial is the main limitation; however, the efficacy of saffron in relation to placebo for treatment of depression has been documented (Akhondzadeh et al. 2005).”
From <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study (2019) · cites this paper as Akhondzadeh et al. 2005
Cites
Hamilton, M. (1960) · Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry · doi:10.1136/jnnp.23.1.56 · Cited by 32,817 · see citing works
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
American Psychiatric Association (2022) · doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787 · Cited by 23,476 · see citing works
Ostwald, P. F. (1960) · American Journal of Psychotherapy · doi:10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1960.14.4.817 · Cited by 1,422 · see citing works
Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocus sativus L. stigma and petal extracts in mice
Hosseinzadeh, H., & Younesi, H. M. (2002) · BMC Pharmacology · doi:10.1186/1471-2210-2-7 · Cited by 606 · see citing works
An Update Review of Saffron and its Active Constituents
Rı́os, J. L., Recio, M. C., Giner, R. M., & Máñez, S. (1996) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199605)10:3 · Cited by 504 · see citing works
Cancer Chemopreventive and Tumoricidal Properties of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)
Abdullaev, F. I. (2002) · Experimental Biology and Medicine · doi:10.1177/153537020222700104 · Cited by 486 · see citing works
Abe, K., & Saito, H. (2000) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(200005)14:3 · Cited by 271 · see citing works
Pharmacology of Antidepressants—Characteristics of the Ideal Drug
Richelson, E. (1994) · Mayo Clinic Proceedings · doi:10.1016/s0025-6196(12)61375-5 · Cited by 258 · see citing works
The treatment of depression: prescribing patterns of antidepressants in primary care in the UK
Donoghue, J. M., & Tylee, A. (1996) · British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.168.2.164 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Compliance during treatment with antidepressants
Demyttenaere, K. (1997) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/s0165-0327(96)00095-x · Cited by 149 · see citing works
St. John's Wort, an anti-depressant? A systematic, criteria-based review
Ernst, E. K. (1995) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/s0944-7113(11)80051-6 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
St John's wort as an antidepressant
Smet, P. A. G. M. D., & Nolen, W. A. (1996) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.313.7052.241 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
STUDY OF ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECT OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CROCUS SATIVUS IN MICE
Gh.R., K., Hosseinzadeh, H., & Panah, P. K. (2001) · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Mood disorders in the general population represent an important and worldwide public health problem
Judd, L. L. (1995) · International Clinical Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1097/00004850-199512004-00002 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION: PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCCESS?
MacDonald, T. M. (1997) · Discovery Research Portal (University of Dundee) · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Hosseinzadeh, H., & Younesi, H. M. (2002) · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Kennedy, S. H., Lam, R. W. M., Parikh, S. V., Patten, S. B., & Ravindran, A. V. (2009) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.06.043 · Cited by 526 · see citing works
Sarris, J. J., Panossian, A. G., Schweitzer, I., Stough, C. K. K., & Scholey, A. B. (2011) · European Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2011.04.002 · Cited by 479 · see citing works
Chemical and biological properties of the world's most expensive spice: Saffron
Melnyk, J. P., Wang, S., & Marcone, M. F. (2010) · Food Research International · doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2010.07.033 · Cited by 376 · see citing works
Saffron in phytotherapy: Pharmacology and clinical uses
Schmidt, M., Betti, G., & Hensel, A. (2007) · Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift · doi:10.1007/s10354-007-0428-4 · Cited by 365 · see citing works
Crocus sativus L.: A comprehensive review
Srivastava, R., Ahmed, H., Dixit, R., Dharamveer, & Saraf, S. (2010) · Pharmacognosy Reviews · doi:10.4103/0973-7847.70919 · Cited by 325 · see citing works
Hosseinzadeh, H., & Noraei, N. B. (2009) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.2597 · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Akhondzadeh, S., Shafiee Sabet, M., Harirchian, M. H., Togha, M., Cheraghmakani, H., Razeghi, S., Hejazi, S. S., Yousefi, M. H., Alimardani, R., Jamshidi, A., et al. (2010) · Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1007/s00213-009-1706-1 · Cited by 268 · see citing works
Self-citationNew Applications and Mechanisms of Action of Saffron and its Important Ingredients
Bathaie, S. Z., & Mousavi, S. Z. (2010) · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition · doi:10.1080/10408390902773003 · Cited by 266 · see citing works
Avicenna's (Ibn Sina) the Canon of Medicine and Saffron (Crocus sativus): A Review
Hosseinzadeh, H., & Nassiri‐Asl, M. (2012) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.4784 · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Akhondzadeh, S., Sabet, M. S., Harirchian, M. H., Togha, M., Cheraghmakani, H., Razeghi, S., Hejazi, S. S., Yousefi, M. H., Alimardani, R., Jamshidi, A., et al. (2010) · Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01133.x · Cited by 249 · see citing works
Self-citationBasti, A. A., Moshiri, E., Noorbala, A.-A., Jamshidi, A. H., Abbasi, S. H., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2006) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2006.11.010 · Cited by 246 · see citing works
Self-citationMoshiri, E., Basti, A. A., Noorbala, A.-A., Jamshidi, A. H., Abbasi, S. H., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2006) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2006.08.006 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Self-citationINDO AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Baru, P. C. R. (2014) · ADVANCED SCIENCES INDEX · Cited by 236 · see citing works
Yeung, K., Hernandez, M., Mao, J. J., Haviland, I., & Gubili, J. (2018) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.6033 · Cited by 212 · see citing works
Saffron: An Old Medicinal Plant and a Potential Novel Functional Food
Bagur, M. J., Salinas, G. L. A., Jiménez‐Monreal, A. M., Chaouqi, S., Llorens, S., Martínez‐Tomé, M., & Alonso, G. L. (2017) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules23010030 · Cited by 235 · see citing works
The effects of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents on nervous system: A review.
Khazdair, M. R., Boskabady, M. H., Hosseini, M., Rezaee, R., & Tsatsakis, A. M. (2015) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Safety evaluation of saffron (Crocus sativus) tablets in healthy volunteers
Modaghegh, M.-H., Shahabian, M., Esmaeili, H.-A., Rajbai, O., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2008) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.06.003 · Cited by 217 · see citing works
Saffron: a natural product with potential pharmaceutical applications
Christodoulou, E., Kadoglou, N. P. E., Kostomitsopoulos, N. G., & Valsami, G. N. (2015) · Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology · doi:10.1111/jphp.12456 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Aghahosseini, M., Kashani, L., Aleyaseen, A., Ghoreishi, A., Rahmanpour, H., Zarrinara, A., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2008) · BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology · doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01652.x · Cited by 198 · see citing works
Self-citationShafiee, M., Arekhi, S., Omranzadeh, A., & Sahebkar, A. (2017) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.020 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Lopresti, A. L., & Drummond, P. D. (2014) · Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental · doi:10.1002/hup.2434 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Hausenblas, H. A., Saha, D., Dubyak, P. J., & Anton, S. D. (2013) · Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine · doi:10.3736/jintegrmed2013056 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Main chemical compounds and pharmacological activities of stigmas and tepals of ‘red gold’; saffron
Shahi, T., Assadpour, E., & Jafari, S. M. (2016) · Trends in Food Science & Technology · doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2016.10.010 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Clinical Applications of Saffron (Crocus sativus) and its Constituents: A Review
Moshiri, M., Vahabzadeh, M., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2014) · Drug Research · doi:10.1055/s-0034-1375681 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Talaeı, A., Moghadam, M. H., Tabassi, S. A. S., & Mohajeri, S. A. (2014) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.035 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
State of Art of Saffron (Crocus sativusL.) Agronomy: A Comprehensive Review
Kumar, R., Singh, V. K., Devi, K., Sharma, M., Singh, M., & Ahuja, P. S. (2008) · Food Reviews International · doi:10.1080/87559120802458503 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: a systematic review
Sarris, J. (2007) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.2187 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Hariri, A. T., Moallem, S. A., Mahmoudi, M., Memar, B., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2010) · Food and Chemical Toxicology · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2010.07.010 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Saffron: A Natural Potent Antioxidant as a Promising Anti-Obesity Drug
Mashmoul, M., Azlan, A., Khaza’ai, H., Yusof, B. N. M., & Noor, S. M. (2013) · Antioxidants · doi:10.3390/antiox2040293 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Self-help interventions for depressive disorders and depressive symptoms: a systematic review
Morgan, A. J., & Jorm, A. F. (2008) · Annals of General Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/1744-859x-7-13 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Farokhnia, M., Sabet, M. S., Iranpour, N., Gougol, A., Yekehtaz, H., Alimardani, R., Farsad, F., Kamalipour, M., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2014) · Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental · doi:10.1002/hup.2412 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Self-citationBioactivity and Bioavailability of the Major Metabolites of Crocus sativus L. Flower
Moratalla‐López, N., Bagur, M. J., Lorenzo, C., Martínez‐Navarro, M. E., Salinas, M. R., & Alonso, G. L. (2019) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules24152827 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Boskabady, M. H., & Farkhondeh, T. (2016) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.5622 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Safety Evaluation of Crocin (a constituent of saffron) Tablets in Healthy Volunteers.
Mohamadpour, A. H., Ayati, Z., Parizadeh, M., Rajbai, O., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2013) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Saffron and its Active Components
Hosseini, A., Razavi, B. M., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2017) · European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics · doi:10.1007/s13318-017-0449-3 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Shahmansouri, N., Farokhnia, M., Abbasi, S.-H., Kassaian, S. E., Tafti, A.-A. N., Gougol, A., Yekehtaz, H., Forghani, S., Mahmoodian, M., Saroukhani, S., et al. (2013) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.11.003 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Self-citationSaki, K., Bahmani, M., & Rafieian‐Kopaei, M. (2014) · Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine · doi:10.1016/s1995-7645(14)60201-7 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Butnariu, M., Quispe, C., Herrera‐Bravo, J., Sharifi‐Rad, J., Singh, L., Aborehab, N. M., Bouyahya, A., Venditti, A., Sen, S., Acharya, K., et al. (2022) · Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity · doi:10.1155/2022/8214821 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Mazidi, M., Shemshian, M., Mousavi, S. H., Norouzy, A., Kermani, T., Moghiman, T., Sadeghi, A., Mokhber, N., Ghayour‐Mobarhan, M., & Ferns, G. A. (2016) · Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1515/jcim-2015-0043 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Evaluation of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on male erectile dysfunction: A pilot study
Shamsa, A., Hosseinzadeh, H., Molaei, M., Shakeri, M. T., & Rajabi, O. (2009) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2009.03.008 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Kashani, L., Raisi, F., Saroukhani, S., Sohrabi, H. R., Modabbernia, A., Nasehi, A.-A., Jamshidi, A. H., Ashrafi, M., Mansouri, P., Ghaeli, P., et al. (2012) · Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental · doi:10.1002/hup.2282 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Self-citationModabbernia, A., Sohrabi, H. R., Nasehi, A.-A., Raisi, F., Saroukhani, S., Jamshidi, A. H., Tabrizi, M. H., Ashrafi, M., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2012) · Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1007/s00213-012-2729-6 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Self-citationMedicinal Plants Used for Anxiety, Depression, or Stress Treatment: An Update
Kenda, M., Glavač, N. K., Nagy, M., & Dolenc, M. S. (2022) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules27186021 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Toxicology effects of saffron and its constituents: a review.
Bostan, H. B., Mehri, S., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2017) · PubMed Central · doi:10.22038/ijbms.2017.8230 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Association between chronic stress and Alzheimer’s disease: Therapeutic effects of Saffron
Saeedi, M., & Rashidy‐Pour, A. (2020) · Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110995 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Neuroprotective potency of some spice herbs, a literature review
Khazdair, M. R., Anaeigoudari, A., Hashemzehi, M., & Mohebbati, R. (2018) · Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.01.002 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
The Efficacy of Saffron in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Meta-analysis
Tóth, B., Hegyi, P. J., Lantos, T., Szakács, Z., Kerémi, B., Varga, G., Tenk, J., Pétervári, E., Balaskó, M., Rumbus, Z., et al. (2018) · Planta Medica · doi:10.1055/a-0660-9565 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Mashmoul, M., Azlan, A., Yusof, B. N. M., Khaza’ai, H., Mohtarrudin, N., & Boroushaki, M. T. (2014) · Journal of Functional Foods · doi:10.1016/j.jff.2014.03.017 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Ghajar, A., Neishabouri, S., Velayati, N., Jahangard, L., Matinnia, N., Haghighi, M., Ghaleiha, A., Afarideh, M., Salimi, S., Meysamie, A., et al. (2017) · Pharmacopsychiatry · doi:10.1055/s-0042-116159 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Self-citationA survey on saffron in major islamic traditional medicine books.
Javadi, B., Sahebkar, A., & Emami, S. A. (2013) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Ravindran, A. V., Lam, R. W., Filteau, M. J., Lespérance, F., Kennedy, S. H., Parikh, S. V., & Patten, S. B. (2009) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.06.040 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Therapeutic Effects of Phytochemicals and Medicinal Herbs on Depression
Lee, G., & Bae, H. (2017) · BioMed Research International · doi:10.1155/2017/6596241 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Ramadan, A. E., Soliman, G. A., Mahmoud, S. S., Nofal, S. M., & Abdel-Rahman, R. F. (2010) · Journal of Saudi Chemical Society · doi:10.1016/j.jscs.2010.10.012 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Linardaki, Z. I., Orkoula, M. G., Kokkosis, A. G., Lamari, F. N., & Margarity, M. (2012) · Food and Chemical Toxicology · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2012.11.016 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Leone, S., Recinella, L., Chiavaroli, A., Orlando, G., Ferrante, C., Leporini, L., Brunetti, L., & Menghini, L. (2018) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.6181 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Alzheimer's Disease
Howes, M. R., Fang, R., & Houghton, P. J. (2017) · International review of neurobiology · doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2017.02.003 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Gout, B., Bourges, C., & Paineau-Dubreuil, S. (2010) · Nutrition Research · doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2010.04.008 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Marx, W., Lane, M. M., Rocks, T., Ruusunen, A. A., Loughman, A., Lopresti, A. L., Marshall, S., Berk, M., Jacka, F. N., & Dean, O. M. (2019) · Nutrition Reviews · doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz023 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Hosseinzadeh, H., & Jahanian, Z. (2009) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.3011 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Lechtenberg, M., Schepmann, D., Niehues, M., Hellenbrand, N., Wünsch, B., & Hensel, A. (2008) · Planta Medica · doi:10.1055/s-2008-1074535 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Herbal treatments for alleviating premenstrual symptoms: a systematic review
Dante, G., & Facchinetti, F. (2010) · Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology · doi:10.3109/0167482x.2010.538102 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Sartorius, N., Baghai, T. C., Baldwin, D. S., Barrett, B. M., Brand, U., Fleischhacker, W., Goodwin, G. M., Grunze, H., Knapp, M. R. J., Leonard, B. E., et al. (2007) · The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1017/s1461145707008255 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
A systematic review on the efficacy, safety and types of Chinese herbal medicine for depression
Yeung, W., Chung, K., Ng, S., Yu, B. Y., Ziea, E. T.-C., & Ng, B. F. L. (2014) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.05.016 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Cardiovascular effects of saffron: an evidence-based review.
Kamalipour, M., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2011) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Self-citationAleali, A. M., Amani, R., Shahbazian, H. B., Namjooyan, F., Latifi, S. M., & Cheraghian, B. (2019) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.6351 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Sarris, J. J., Kavanagh, D. J., & Byrne, G. J. (2009) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.06.003 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Baghishani, F., Mohammadipour, A., Hosseinzadeh, H., Hosseini, M., & Ebrahimzadeh‐Bideskan, A. (2018) · Metabolic Brain Disease · doi:10.1007/s11011-018-0194-6 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Gresta, F., Lombardo, G., Siracusa, L., & Ruberto, G. (2008) · Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture · doi:10.1002/jsfa.3177 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Herbal medicines, other than St. John's Wort, in the treatment of depression: a systematic review.
Dwyer, A. V., Whitten, D. L., & Hawrelak, J. A. (2011) · PubMed · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Djazayeri, A., Akhondzadeh, S., Milajerdi, A., Jazayeri, S., Hashemzadeh, N., Shirzadi, E., & Derakhshan, Z. (2018) · Journal of Research in Medical Sciences · doi:10.4103/jrms.jrms_286_17 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Self-citationMoras, B., Loffredo, L., & Rey, S. (2018) · Food Chemistry · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.03.025 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Razi's Al-Hawi and saffron (Crocus sativus): a review.
Mollazadeh, H., Emami, S. A., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2015) · PubMed Central · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Bian, Y., Zhao, C., & Lee, S. M. (2020) · Frontiers in Pharmacology · doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.579052 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Tuberoso, C. I. G., Rosa, A., Montoro, P., Fenu, M. A., & Pìzza, C. (2015) · Food Chemistry · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.11.115 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Tabeshpour, J., Sobhani, F., Sadjadi, S. A., Hosseinzadeh, H., Mohajeri, S. A., Rajabi, O., Taherzadeh, Z., & Eslami, S. (2017) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2017.10.005 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Dai, W., Feng, K., Sun, X., Xu, L., Wu, S., Rahman, K., Jia, D. T., & Han, T. (2021) · Journal of Ethnopharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114692 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Han, P., Han, T., Peng, W., & Wang, X. (2013) · Pharmaceutical Biology · doi:10.3109/13880209.2012.751616 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Hosseinzadeh, H., Motamedshariaty, V., & Hadizadeh, F. (2007) · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus)
Fukui, H., Toyoshima, K., & Komaki, R. (2011) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.11.013 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Efficacy and Safety of Saffron Supplementation: Current Clinical Findings
Broadhead, G., Chang, A., Grigg, J., & McCluskey, P. (2015) · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition · doi:10.1080/10408398.2013.879467 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Shahrajabian, M. H., Sun, W., Soleymani, A., & Cheng, Q. (2020) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.6888 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Stimulatory effect of Crocus sativus (saffron) on β2-adrenoceptors of guinea pig tracheal chains
Nemati, H., Boskabady, M. H., & Vostakolaei, H. A. (2008) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.07.008 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Mousavi, S. B., Bathaie, S. Z., Fadai, F., Zabihollah, A., Beigi, N. A., Farhang, S., Hashempour, S., Shahhamzei, N., & Heidarzadeh, H. (2015) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Natural products of relevance in the prevention and supportive treatment of depression
Muszyńska, B., Łojewski, M., Rojowski, J., Opoka, W., & Sułkowska‐Ziaja, K. (2015) · Psychiatria Polska · doi:10.12740/pp/29367 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Lopresti, A. L., Drummond, P. D., Inarejos-García, A. M., & Pródanov, M. (2018) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.070 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Chalatsa, I., Arvanitis, D., Koulakiotis, N., Giagini, A., Skaltsounis, A., Papadopoulou-Daifoti, Z., Tsarbopoulos, A., & Sanoudou, D. (2019) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00249 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Medicinal Plants and Their Impact on the Gut Microbiome in Mental Health: A Systematic Review
Pferschy‐Wenzig, E., Pausan, M.-R., Ardjomand-Woelkart, K., Röck, S., Ammar, R. M., Kelber, O., Moissl‐Eichinger, C., & Bauer, R. (2022) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu14102111 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Ulbricht, C. E., Conquer, J. A., Costa, D., Hollands, W., Iannuzzi, C. M., Isaac, R., Jordan, J. K., Ledesma, N., Ostroff, C., Serrano, J. M. G., et al. (2011) · Journal of Dietary Supplements · doi:10.3109/19390211.2011.547666 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Safarinejad, M. R., Shafiei, N., & Safarinejad, S. (2010) · Phytotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/ptr.3294 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Abedimanesh, N., Bathaie, S. Z., Abedimanesh, S., Motlagh, B., Separham, A., & Ostadrahimi, A. (2017) · Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research · doi:10.15171/jcvtr.2017.35 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
D’Onofrio, G., Nabavi, S. M., Sancarlo, D., Greco, A., & Pieretti, S. (2021) · Current Neuropharmacology · doi:10.2174/1570159x19666210113144703 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Milajerdi, A., Jazayeri, S., Shirzadi, E., Hashemzadeh, N., Azizgol, A., Djazayery, A., Esmaillzadeh, A., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2018) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.09.023 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationComplementary medicine for depression
Pilkington, K., Rampes, H., & Richardson, J. (2006) · Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics · doi:10.1586/14737175.6.11.1741 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial
Pachikian, B. D., Copine, S., Suchareau, M., & Deldicque, L. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13051473 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
de la Peña, J. B., Kim, C. A., Lee, H. L., Yoon, S. Y., Kim, H. J., Hong, E. Y., Kim, G. H., Ryu, J. H., Lee, Y. S., Kim, K. M., et al. (2013) · Archives of Pharmacal Research · doi:10.1007/s12272-013-0229-9 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Saffron and retina: Neuroprotection and pharmacokinetics
Bisti, S., Maccarone, R., & Falsini, B. (2014) · Visual Neuroscience · doi:10.1017/s0952523814000108 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Husaini, A. M., Jan, K. N., & Wani, G. A. (2021) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07068 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Effect of Aqueous Extract ofCrocus sativusL. on Morphine-Induced Memory Impairment
Naghibi, S. M., Hosseini, M., Khani, F., Rahimi, M., Vafaee, F., Rakhshandeh, H., & Aghaie, A. (2012) · Advances in Pharmacological Sciences · doi:10.1155/2012/494367 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): phytochemistry, therapeutic significance and omics-based biology
Pandita, D. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-819590-1.00014-8 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Jackson, P. A., Forster, J. S., Khan, J., Pouchieu, C., Dubreuil, S., Gaudout, D., Moras, B., Pourtau, L., Joffre, F., Vaysse, C., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.606124 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
- Authors
- Akhondzadeh, S., Tahmacebi‐Pour, N., Noorbala, A., Amini, H., Fallah‐Pour, H., Jamshidi, A., & Khani, M.
- Affiliations
- Roozbeh Hospital (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Akhondzadeh, Shahin
- Venue
- Phytotherapy Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-02
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 148-151
- ISSN
- 0951-418X (ISSN-L)
- 1099-1573
- OpenAlex
- W1988632498
- Cited by
- 298
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 2.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Phytotherapy Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Saffron Plant Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds
- Keywords
- saffron, depression, mild to moderate depression, herbal medicine, antidepressant efficacy, Persian medicine, adverse effects
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Antidepressive Agents, Depressive Disorder, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Phytotherapy, Plant Extracts, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Treatment Outcome, Crocus
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
