| The Effects of Combined Scutellaria and Saffron Supplementation on Mood Regulation in Participants with Mild-to-Moderate Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study 2025 · SAFFR’ACTIV · Adults aged 18–75, women and men, with a recent depressive episode and mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms | 30 mg | 6 weeks | 43 |
| Effects of saffron supplementation on oxidative/antioxidant status and severity of disease in ulcerative colitis patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 2021 · intervention · Patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis | 100 mg | 8 weeks | 40 |
| An evaluation of the effects of saffron supplementation on the asthma clinical symptoms and asthma severity in patients with mild and moderate persistent allergic asthma: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial 2019 · saffron group · Men and women aged 18–65 with mild or moderate persistent allergic asthma | 100 mg | 8 weeks | 38 |
| Amelioration of anxiety, depression, and chemotherapy related toxicity after crocin administration during chemotherapy of breast cancer: A double blind, randomized clinical trial 2021 · crocin group · Patients with non-metastatic HER2/neu-positive or triple-negative breast cancer receiving doxorubicin-based chemotherapy | 30 mg | — | 36 |
| The effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial 2023 · Intervention group · Postmenopausal women; mean age about 53.75 years; no specified diagnosed condition beyond menopause | 30 mg | 6 weeks | 36 |
| Effects of Crocin on Diabetic Maculopathy: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial 2018 · crocin 5 mg · Adults with refractory diabetic maculopathy | 5 mg | 90 days | 34 |
| Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial 2021 · saffron group · Men and women aged 25–70 with mild to moderate chronic primary sleep disorder and mild to moderate anxiety | 15.5 mg | 6 weeks | 34 |
| Effects of Crocin on Diabetic Maculopathy: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial 2018 · crocin 15 mg · Adults with refractory diabetic maculopathy | 15 mg | 90 days | 33 |
| The effect of saffron supplement on clinical outcomes and metabolic profiles in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial 2020 · saffron group · Women older than 18 years with active rheumatoid arthritis | 100 mg | 12 weeks | 33 |
| Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women 2010 · Satiereal group · Healthy, mildly overweight women | 177 mg | 8 weeks | 31 |
| An examination into the mental and physical effects of a saffron extract (affron®) in recreationally-active adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 2022 · Saffron · Healthy, recreationally active adults aged 18–65 years who exercised more than 3 times per week; male and female | 28 mg | 6 weeks | 31 |
| The effect of crocin (the main active saffron constituent) on the cognitive functions, craving, and withdrawal syndrome in opioid patients under methadone maintenance treatment 2021 · intervention group · Patients under methadone maintenance treatment; age and sex not reported | 30 mg | 12 weeks | 30 |
| The effect of crocin on movement disorders and oxidative DNA damage in Parkinson's disease: Insights from a randomized controlled trial 2024 · crocin group · Adults aged 30–80 with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease | 60 mg | 8 weeks | 30 |
| Crocus sativus (saffron) adjunct to risperidone for negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 2025 · saffron group · Clinically stable adults with chronic schizophrenia; age and sex not specified | 30 mg | 8 weeks | 28 |
| Oral supplementation with crocin (a constituent of saffron) in subjects with cigarette smoking: a clinical trial 2024 · crocin group · smokers; age and sex not specified | 30 mg | 90 days | 25 |
| Evaluation of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on male erectile dysfunction: a pilot study 2009 · Saffron treatment · Male patients with erectile dysfunction | 200 mg | 10 days | 20 |
| Crocin, the main active saffron constituent, as an adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical trial 2015 · crocin group · Adults aged 24–50 with major depressive disorder | 30 mg | 4 weeks | 20 |
| Protective properties of the aqueous extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in ischemic stroke, randomized clinical trial 2019 · saffron-treated group · Patients with acute ischemic stroke | 200 mg | 4 days | 19 |
| The effects of crocin on the symptoms of depression in subjects with metabolic syndrome 2017 · crocin group · Adults with metabolic syndrome | 30 mg | 8 weeks | 17 |
| Comparison of Crocus sativus L. and imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a pilot double-blind randomized trial [ISRCTN45683816] 2004 · Saffron group · Adults aged 18–55 with mild to moderate major depression | 30 mg | 6 weeks | 15 |
| Therapeutic Potential of Saffron Extract in Mild Depression: A Study of Its Role on Anhedonia in Rats and Humans 2025 · AD + SAFFRON · Adults aged 18 years or older with a current depressive episode due to major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, with partial response to antidepressants; women and men | 15 mg | 8 weeks | 15 |
| Potential Ergogenic Effects of Saffron 2016 · saffron group · healthy, nonactive male university students | 300 mg | 10 days | 14 |
| Hydro-alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus L. versus fluoxetine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized pilot trial 2005 · Group 1 · Adult outpatients with mild to moderate major depression | 30 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| Crocus sativus L. in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial 2005 · Saffron group (Group 1) · Adult outpatients with mild to moderate major depression and baseline Hamilton rating scale for depression score of at least 18 | 30 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| Crocus sativus L. (petal) in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial 2006 · Group 1 · Adults with mild-to-moderate major depression receiving outpatient care | 30 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| Comparison of petal of Crocus sativus L. and fluoxetine in the treatment of depressed outpatients: a pilot double-blind randomized trial 2007 · Group 1 · Adult outpatients with major depression meeting DSM-IV criteria and baseline Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of at least 18 | 30 mg | 8 weeks | — |
| A 22-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of Crocus sativus in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease 2010 · saffron · Persian-speaking adults aged 55 years or older with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease | 30 mg | 22 weeks | — |
| Saffron in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial 2010 · Group A · Patients with mild to moderate probable Alzheimer's disease | 30 mg | 16 weeks | — |
| Effect of saffron on fluoxetine-induced sexual impairment in men: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial 2012 · saffron · Married men with major depressive disorder, stabilized on fluoxetine, with subjective complaints of sexual impairment | 30 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study 2013 · saffron · Women with major depression stabilized on fluoxetine 40 mg/day for at least 6 weeks who experienced sexual dysfunction | 30 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. with fluoxetine for improving mild to moderate depression in post percutaneous coronary intervention patients 2014 · saffron · Patients with mild to moderate depression who had undergone PCI within the previous six months | 30 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| Comparing the efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. with memantine in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease: a double-blind randomized clinical trial 2014 · saffron extract · Patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (MMSE score 8–14); age and sex not reported | 30 mg | 1 year | — |
| A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the treatment of anxiety and depression 2016 · saffron · Adult patients with anxiety and depression | 100 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| Comparison of Saffron versus Fluoxetine in Treatment of Mild to Moderate Postpartum Depression: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial 2017 · saffron · Women aged 18–45 years with mild to moderate postpartum depression | 30 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| Crocus sativus L. versus Citalopram in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress: A Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial 2017 · saffron · Patients with major depressive disorder accompanied by anxious distress; age and sex not reported | 30 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| affron(®) a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial 2017 · 28 mg/day affron® group · Healthy adults self-reporting low mood but without diagnosed depression | 28 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| affron(®) a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial 2017 · 22 mg/day affron® group · Healthy adults self-reporting low mood but without diagnosed depression | 22 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of saffron stigma (Crocus sativus L.) in mothers suffering from mild-to-moderate postpartum depression 2017 · saffron group · Breastfeeding new mothers with mild-to-moderate postpartum depression and a maximum BDI-II score of 29 | 30 mg | 8 weeks | — |
| Efficacy of Crocus sativus (saffron) in treatment of major depressive disorder associated with post-menopausal hot flashes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial 2018 · saffron · Post-menopausal women with hot flashes and major depressive disorder | 30 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| affron(®), a standardised extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 2018 · saffron extract (affron®) · Youth aged 12–16 years with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms | 28 mg | 8 weeks | — |
| The Effect of Saffron on Depression among Recovered Consumers of Methamphetamine Living with HIV/AIDS 2018 · experimental (saffron) group · Recovered consumers of methamphetamine living with HIV/AIDS; age and sex not specified | 30 mL | 8 weeks | — |
| Saffron therapy for the treatment of mild/moderate age-related macular degeneration: a randomised clinical trial 2019 · saffron · Adults over 50 years with mild/moderate age-related macular degeneration and vision greater than 20/70 Snellen equivalent in at least one eye | 20 mg | 90 days | — |
| Efficacy of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) as an add-on to antidepressant medication for the treatment of persistent depressive symptoms in adults: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 2019 · saffron extract (affron®) · Adults with persistent depression currently taking a pharmaceutical antidepressant | 28 mg | 8 weeks | — |
| A placebo controlled randomized clinical trial of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on depression and food craving among overweight women with mild to moderate depression 2020 · Crocus sativus group · Overweight women with mild-to-moderate depression | 30 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| Crocus Sativus L. (saffron) versus sertraline on symptoms of depression among older people with major depressive disorders-a double-blind, randomized intervention study 2019 · saffron condition · Older out-patients with major depressive disorder; mean age 65 years, 70% male | 60 mg | 6 weeks | — |
| Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 2020 · saffron extract (affron) · Healthy adults aged 18–70 with self-reported sleep problems | 28 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| An investigation into an evening intake of a saffron extract (affron®) on sleep quality, cortisol, and melatonin concentrations in adults with poor sleep: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose study 2021 · 14 mg saffron extract group · Adults with unsatisfactory sleep | 14 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| An investigation into an evening intake of a saffron extract (affron®) on sleep quality, cortisol, and melatonin concentrations in adults with poor sleep: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose study 2021 · 28 mg saffron extract group · Adults with unsatisfactory sleep | 28 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| An Examination into the Effects of a Saffron Extract (Affron) on Mood and General Wellbeing in Adults Experiencing Low Mood: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial 2025 · saffron group · Adults aged 18–70 experiencing subclinical depressive symptoms | 28 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| A standardised saffron extract improves subjective and objective sleep quality in healthy older adults with sleep complaints: results from the gut-sleep-brain axis randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study 2025 · saffron group · Adults aged 55–85 with self-reported sleep complaints | 30 mg | 4 weeks | — |
| The Effects of Combined Scutellaria and Saffron Supplementation on Mood Regulation in Participants with Mild-to-Moderate Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study 2025 · SAFFR’UP · Adults aged 18–75, women and men, with a recent depressive episode and mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms | 30 mg | 6 weeks | 48 |
| Co-administration of saffron and chamomile: to determine the efficacy as an adjuvant therapy for mild to moderate depression in human subjects. A pilot randomized clinical trial 2023 · intervention group A · Patients with mild to moderate depression, with or without diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia; age and sex not specified | 2 mg | 30 days | 25 |
| Effect of vitamin E with and without saffron on the sexual function in women of reproductive age with sexual dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial 2024 · Saffron + Vitamin E (experimental group) · Women aged 15–49 with sexual dysfunction and without severe or very severe depression or sleep disorders | 30 mg | 8 weeks | 25 |
| The effect of Sailuotong (SLT) on neurocognitive and cardiovascular function in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover pilot trial 2016 · SLT · Healthy adults; 16 participants completed the crossover trial | 10.9 mg | 7 days | 16 |
| Efficacy of curcumin, and a saffron/curcumin combination for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 2017 · combined low-dose curcumin extract plus saffron · People with major depressive disorder; age and sex not reported | 30 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| Effects of Aphrodite (an Herbal Compound) on SSRI-Induced Sexual Dysfunctions and Depression in Females with Major Depressive Disorder: Findings from a Randomized Clinical Trial 2023 · Aphrodite · Females aged 18–50 with major depressive disorder and SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, taking sertraline | 3 mg | 8 weeks | 22 |
| Beneficial Effects of Micronutrient Supplementation in Restoring the Altered Microbiota and Gut-Retina Axis in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration-A Randomized Clinical Trial 2024 · intervention group · Adults with neovascular age-related macular degeneration; mean age 77.8 years | 20 mg | 26 weeks | 15 |
| The effects of saffron supplementation on inflammation and hematological parameters in patients with sepsis: a randomized controlled trial 2025 · Saffron group · Adults aged 18–80 with sepsis admitted to the ICU and GCS below 13 | 100 mg | 7 days | 45 |
| The effect of saffron supplementation on some inflammatory and oxidative markers, leptin, adiponectin, and body composition in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A double-blind randomized clinical trial 2020 · saffron group · men and women aged 18–65 with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease | 100 mg | 12 weeks | 38 |
| Effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on lipid profile, glycemic indices and antioxidant status among overweight/obese prediabetic individuals: A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial 2019 · saffron group · Overweight/obese adults with prediabetes; age and sex not specified | 15 mg | 8 weeks | 36 |
| The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on glycemia, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized placebo-controlled trial 2023 · saffron group · patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus; age and sex not stated | 100 mg | 8 weeks | 35 |
| Effects of saffron supplementation on glycemia and inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial study 2020 · saffron · Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; age and sex not specified | 100 mg | 8 weeks | 30 |
| Influence of saffron supplementation on retinal flicker sensitivity in early age-related macular degeneration 2010 · saffron supplementation · Patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD); age and sex not specified | 20 mg | 90 days | 25 |
| Effects of crocin on inflammatory biomarkers and mental health status in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial 2024 · crocin group · patients with multiple sclerosis; age range and sex not specified | 30 mg | 8 weeks | 25 |
| Saffron aqueous extract prevents metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia on olanzapine treatment: a randomized triple blind placebo controlled study 2014 · SAE group · Patients with schizophrenia taking olanzapine, screened not to have metabolic syndrome at baseline; age and sex not reported | 30 mg | 12 weeks | 22 |
| Saffron aqueous extract prevents metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia on olanzapine treatment: a randomized triple blind placebo controlled study 2014 · crocin group · Patients with schizophrenia taking olanzapine, screened not to have metabolic syndrome at baseline; age and sex not reported | 30 mg | 12 weeks | 22 |
| Evaluation of therapeutic effects of crocin in attenuating the progression of diabetic nephropathy: a preliminary randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled trial 2022 · crocin group · Adults aged 18 years or older with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy | 15 mg | 90 days | 22 |
| The ocular hypotensive effect of saffron extract in primary open angle glaucoma: a pilot study 2014 · saffron group · Adults older than 50 years with stable primary open-angle glaucoma, receiving topical timolol and dorzolamide | 30 mg | 4 weeks | 17 |
| The effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in conjunction with concurrent training on body composition, glycaemic status, and inflammatory markers in obese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind clinical trial 2022 · saffron supplementation (S) · Obese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus; mean age 39 ± 5 years | 100 mg | 12 weeks | 15 |
| The effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in conjunction with concurrent training on body composition, glycaemic status, and inflammatory markers in obese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind clinical trial 2022 · concurrent training + saffron supplementation (CTS) · Obese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus; mean age 39 ± 5 years | 100 mg | 12 weeks | 15 |
| The impacts of Crocin on serum cytokines concentrations in participants with metabolic syndrome: a double-blind randomized clinical trial study 2025 · case (Crocin; saffron) group · Adults with metabolic syndrome, men and women; ages not reported | 30 mg | 8 weeks | 15 |
| Impact of saffron (Crocus Sativus Linn) supplementation and resistance training on markers implicated in depression and happiness levels in untrained young males 2021 · RT + saffron supplement (RS) · Untrained young males | 150 mg | 6 weeks | 14 |
| Preventive effects of 10-day supplementation with saffron and indomethacin on the delayed-onset muscle soreness 2015 · saffron group · Nonactive male university students | 300 mg | 10 days | 12 |
| The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training with or without saffron supplementation on diabetes-specific markers and inflammation in women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial 2024 · saffron + training (ST) · Middle-aged obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes; mean age 54.12 years | 200 mg | 12 weeks | 11 |
| The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training with or without saffron supplementation on diabetes-specific markers and inflammation in women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial 2024 · saffron supplementation (SS) · Middle-aged obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes; mean age 54.12 years | 200 mg | 12 weeks | 11 |
| Saffron in metabolic syndrome: its effects on antibody titers to heat-shock proteins 27, 60, 65 and 70 2014 · case group · People with metabolic syndrome | 100 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Crocus sativus on Serum Cytokine Levels in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Trial 2017 · Crocus sativus group · Adults with metabolic syndrome | 100 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| An evaluation of the effect of saffron supplementation on the antibody titer to heat-shock protein (HSP) 70, hsCRP and spirometry test in patients with mild and moderate persistent allergic asthma: A triple-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial 2018 · saffron group · Adults aged 18–65 with mild or moderate allergic asthma; 32 women and 48 men across the trial | 100 mg | 8 weeks | — |
| The effect of hydroalcoholic Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract on fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver, and renal function tests in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind clinical trial 2019 · saffron group · Adults with type 2 diabetes taking oral antidiabetic drugs | 15 mg | 90 days | — |
| Effects of crocin and saffron aqueous extract on gene expression of SIRT1, AMPK, LOX1, NF-κB, and MCP-1 in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial 2020 · Group 2 (SAE) · Patients with coronary artery disease; age range and sex not stated | 30 mg | 8 weeks | — |
| Evaluation of modulatory effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract on oxidative stress in ischemic stroke patients: a randomized clinical trial 2022 · saffron group · Patients with acute ischemic stroke | 400 mg | 4 days | — |
| Inflammatory markers response to crocin supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial 2021 · crocin group · Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus | 30 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| Saffron improves life and sleep quality, glycaemic status, lipid profile and liver function in diabetic patients: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial 2021 · saffron group · Overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes; age and sex not specified | 100 mg | 8 weeks | — |
| Effect of crocin of Crocus sativus L. on serum inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 2023 · intervention group · Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); age and sex not stated | 30 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| The effect of saffron supplementation on indices of oxidative stress, inflammation, mental health, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial 2026 · saffron group · Patients with Parkinson's disease; mean age 68.36 years; sex not reported | 100 mg | 12 weeks | — |
| Effect of Crocus sativus Extract Supplementation in the Metabolic Control of People with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial 2024 · intervention group · Adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus | 84 mg | 26 weeks | 31 |
