Adrian L Lopresti1, Peter D Drummond2, Antonio M Inarejos-García3, Marin Prodanov4. 1. School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Electronic address: a.lopresti@murdoch.edu.au. 2. School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia. 3. Pharmactive Biotech Products S.L. Parque Científico de Madrid, C/Faraday, 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain. 4. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación CIAL (CEI CSIC-UAM), C/ Nicolás Cabrera, 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Saffron has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in adults with mild-to-moderate depression. However, this is the first study examining its mood-related effects in teenagers. METHODS: In this 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, youth aged 12-16 years, with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms were given tablets containingplacebo or a saffron extract (affron®, 14 mg b.i.d). The youth and parent versions of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) were used as outcome measures. RESULTS:80 participants were enrolled and 68 completed the study. Based on youth self-reports, affron® was associated with greater improvements in overall internalising symptoms (p = 0.049), separation anxiety (p = 0.003), social phobia (p = 0.023), and depression (p = 0.016). Total internalising scores decreased by an average of 33% compared to 17% in the placebo group (p = 0.029). However, parental reports of improvements were inconsistent as mean improvements in RCADS scores were greater in the saffron group (40% vs 26%) (p = 0.026), although no other significant differences were identified. affron® was well-tolerated and there was a trend of reduced headaches in participants on the active treatment. LIMITATIONS: The use of a self-report instrument, limited study duration, single treatment dose, and non-clinical sample used in this study limit the generalisability of study findings. CONCLUSION: The administration of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) for 8 weeks improved anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth with mild-to-moderate symptoms, at least from the perspective of the adolescent. However, these beneficial effects were inconsistently corroborated by parents. Crown
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Saffron has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in adults with mild-to-moderate depression. However, this is the first study examining its mood-related effects in teenagers. METHODS: In this 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, youth aged 12-16 years, with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms were given tablets containing placebo or a saffron extract (affron®, 14 mg b.i.d). The youth and parent versions of the Revised ChildAnxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) were used as outcome measures. RESULTS: 80 participants were enrolled and 68 completed the study. Based on youth self-reports, affron® was associated with greater improvements in overall internalising symptoms (p = 0.049), separation anxiety (p = 0.003), social phobia (p = 0.023), and depression (p = 0.016). Total internalising scores decreased by an average of 33% compared to 17% in the placebo group (p = 0.029). However, parental reports of improvements were inconsistent as mean improvements in RCADS scores were greater in the saffron group (40% vs 26%) (p = 0.026), although no other significant differences were identified. affron® was well-tolerated and there was a trend of reduced headaches in participants on the active treatment. LIMITATIONS: The use of a self-report instrument, limited study duration, single treatment dose, and non-clinical sample used in this study limit the generalisability of study findings. CONCLUSION: The administration of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) for 8 weeks improved anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth with mild-to-moderate symptoms, at least from the perspective of the adolescent. However, these beneficial effects were inconsistently corroborated by parents. Crown
Authors: Kyriaki Hatziagapiou; Olti Nikola; Sofia Marka; Eleni Koniari; Eleni Kakouri; Maria-Eleftheria Zografaki; Sophie S Mavrikou; Charalabos Kanakis; Emmanouil Flemetakis; George P Chrousos; Spyridon Kintzios; George I Lambrou; Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein; Petros A Tarantilis Journal: Antioxidants (Basel) Date: 2022-05-28
Authors: Paula Almodóvar; David Briskey; Amanda Rao; Marín Prodanov; Antonio M Inarejos-García Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2020-01-30 Impact factor: 2.629