2014/05/21 by Mohammad Moshiri, Maryam Vahabzadeh, Hossein Hosseinzadeh · 3 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Saffron Plant Research Studies #Flavonoids in Medical Research #Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Studies #Crocus sativus #Crocus #Iridaceae #Safranal #Traditional medicine #Medicine #Botany #Biology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1055/s-0034-1375681
openalex publication_date 2014/05/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Commonly known as saffron, Crocus sativus L and its active components have shown several useful pharmacological effects such as anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, radical scavenger effects, learning and memory improving effects, etc. There has been an increasing body of data on saffron use in medical databases within the last 20 years. In the current review, the strengths and weaknesses of some of the clinical trials about different pharmacological effects of saffron will be discussed C. sativus extract has been studied in 8 anti-depressant clinical trials in comparison to placebo or some antidepressant drugs, in which saffron showed effectiveness as an antidepressant drug. Clinical trials on anti-Alzheimer effect of saffron demonstrated that it was more effective than the placebo, and as effective as donepezil. 2 clinical trials on antipruritic and complexion promoter in skin care effects of saffron both confirmed that saffron was more efficient than the placebo. In another clinical trial, it was proved that in addition to the weight loss treatment, saffron could reduce snacking frequency. Clinical trials conducted on women with premenstrual syndrome showed that saffron could reduce suffering symptoms more than the placebo and similar to standard treatments.Furthermore, additional clinical trials on effects of saffron on erection dysfunction, allergies, cardiovascular and immune system as well as its safety, toxicity and human pharmacokinetics are reviewed herein.