ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Saffron in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial: Saffron in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Open accessAbstract
WHAT IS KNOWN: Herbal medicines have been used in the treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia but with variable response. Crocus sativus (saffron) may inhibit the aggregation and deposition of amyloid β in the human brain and may therefore be useful in Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of saffron in the treatment of mild to moderate AD. METHODS: Forty-six patients with probable AD were screened for a 16-week, double-blind study of parallel groups of patients with mild to moderate AD. The psychometric measures, which included AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), and clinical dementia rating scale-sums of boxes, were performed to monitor the global cognitive and clinical profiles of the patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive capsule saffron 30 mg/day (15 mg twice per day) (Group A) or capsule placebo (two capsules per day) for a 16-week study. RESULTS: After 16 weeks, saffron produced a significantly better outcome on cognitive function than placebo (ADAS-cog: F=4·12, d.f.=1, P=0·04; CDR: F=4·12, d.f.=1, P=0·04). There were no significant differences in the two groups in terms of observed adverse events. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that at least in the short-term, saffron is both safe and effective in mild to moderate AD. Larger confirmatory randomized controlled trials are called for.
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In a double-blind clinical study of 46 subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, 30 mg/day saffron significantly improved cognitive performance compared to placebo on Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale scores after 16 weeks.
“After 16 weeks, saffron significantly improved subject outcomes in cognitive performance compared to the placebo when observing their Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale scores [141].”
From The Multifaceted Role of Neuroprotective Plants in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [141]
There were no significant differences in adverse effects reported between saffron and placebo groups.
“Additionally, there were no significant differences in the treatment or placebo-controlled groups in terms of adverse effects reported [141].”
From The Multifaceted Role of Neuroprotective Plants in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [141]
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“Additionally, there were no significant differences in the treatment or placebo-controlled groups in terms of adverse effects reported [141].”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
- Authors
- Akhondzadeh, S., Sabet, M. S., Harirchian, M. H., Togha, M., Cheraghmakani, H., Razeghi, S., Hejazi, S. S., Yousefi, M. H., Alimardani, R., Jamshidi, A., Zare, F., & Moradi, A.
- Affiliations
- Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (IR)
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Qom University of Medical Science and Health Services (IR)
- Ministry of Health and Medical Education (IR)
- Roozbeh Hospital (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Akhondzadeh, S.
- Jamshidi, A.
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
- Publisher
- Hindawi Limited
- Published
- 2010-09-13
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 581-588
- ISSN
- 0269-4727 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1925861371
- Cited by
- 249
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 3.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Saffron Plant Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- saffron, Alzheimer's disease, mild to moderate dementia, cognitive function, amyloid-beta, herbal medicine, adverse events
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Cognition, Female, Humans, Male, Phytotherapy, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Treatment Outcome, Crocus, Plant Preparations, Flowers
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