Cited by 110Saffron Plant Research StudiesTreatment of Major DepressionMedicinal Plant Extracts Effects

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Crocus sativus L. versus Citalopram in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress: A Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial

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Ghajar, A., Neishabouri, S., Velayati, N., Jahangard, L., Matinnia, N., Haghighi, M., Ghaleiha, A., Afarideh, M., Salimi, S., Meysamie, A., Akhondzadeh, S.·2017·Pharmacopsychiatry

DOI 10.1055/s-0042-116159

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has demonstrated antidepressant effects in clinical studies and extensive anxiolytic effects in experimental animal models. Methods: 66 patients with major depressive disorder accompanied by anxious distress were randomly assigned to receive either saffron (30 mg/day) or citalopram (40 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) were used to assess treatment effect during the trial. Results: 60 participants finished the study. Patients who received either saffron or citalopram showed significant improvement in scores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (P-value<0.001 in both groups) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (P-value<0.001 in both groups). Comparison of score changes between the 2 trial arms showed no significant difference (P-value=0.984). Frequency of side effects was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Discussion: The present study indicates saffron as a potential efficacious and tolerable treatment for major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

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Authors: Ghajar, A., Neishabouri, S., Velayati, N., Jahangard, L., Matinnia, N., Haghighi, M., Ghaleiha, A., Afarideh, M., Salimi, S., Meysamie, A., & Akhondzadeh, S.
Affiliations: Roozbeh Hospital (IR)
Hamedan University of Medical Sciences (IR)
Baharloo Hospital (IR)
Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IR)
ORCID: Ghajar, A.
Neishabouri, S.
Jahangard, L.
Matinnia, N.
Haghighi, M.
Ghaleiha, A.
Afarideh, M.
Akhondzadeh, S.
Venue: Pharmacopsychiatry
Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Published: 2016-10-04
Volume: 50
Issue: 04
Pages: 152-160
ISSN: 0176-3679 (ISSN-L)
1439-0795
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-116159
OpenAlex: W2528662465
Cited by: 110
References: 71
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6
FWCI: 3.96
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Locations: Pharmacopsychiatry (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Saffron Plant Research Studies
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects
Keywords: saffron, citalopram, major depressive disorder, anxious distress, antidepressant effects, anxiolytic effects, herbal medicine
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Antidepressive Agents, Anxiety, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Phytotherapy, Middle Aged, Plant Extracts, Citalopram, Treatment Outcome, Crocus, Young Adult

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Crocus sativus L. versus Citalopram in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress: A Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial

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