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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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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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“Also, vilazodone -a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor partial antagonist -was more effective in 708 patients with anxious depression than in 155 patients with nonanxious depression, although the sample size of those with nonanxious depression was very small [59].”
From Patients with anxious depression: overview of prevalence, pathophysiology and impact on course and treatment outcome (2018) · cites this paper as [59]
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Metadata
- 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
- 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
- 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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