Mohammad Ahmadpanah1, Fatemeh Ramezanshams1, Ali Ghaleiha1, Shahin Akhondzadeh2, Dena Sadeghi Bahmani3, Serge Brand4. 1. Behavioral Disorders and Substances Abuse Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. 2. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. University of Basel, Psychiatric Clinics (UPK) Center for Affective, Stress und Sleep Disorders, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah, Iran; Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah, Iran. 4. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; University of Basel, Psychiatric Clinics (UPK) Center for Affective, Stress und Sleep Disorders, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah, Iran; Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Sport and Psychosocial Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: serge.brand@upk.ch.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While there is sufficient evidence that Crocus Sativus L. (saffron) improves symptoms of depression in young and middle-aged adults, research on older people are missing. The purpose of the double-blind, randomized intervention study was to compare the effect of saffron and sertraline on MDD among a sample of older people. METHODS: A total of 50 older out-patients with MDD (meanage = =65 years; 70% males) were randomly assigned either to the saffron condition (60 mg/d) or to the sertraline condition (100 mg/day) for six consecutive weeks. Experts employed the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to rate participants' degree of depression. Timepoints were baseline, week 2, week 4 and week 6, the end of the study. RESULTS:Symptoms of depression decreased over time, with no advantages or disadvantages for the saffron or sertraline condition. CONCLUSION: The pattern of results suggests that both saffron and sertraline have the potential to significantly decrease symptoms of depression. The results are clinically relevant, because major depressive disorders in older people is a health concern. The results are further relevant, because saffron appears to be a powerful antidepressant for older people, who might be more reluctant to the use of synthetic drugs.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: While there is sufficient evidence that Crocus Sativus L. (saffron) improves symptoms of depression in young and middle-aged adults, research on older people are missing. The purpose of the double-blind, randomized intervention study was to compare the effect of saffron and sertraline on MDD among a sample of older people. METHODS: A total of 50 older out-patients with MDD (mean age = =65 years; 70% males) were randomly assigned either to the saffron condition (60 mg/d) or to the sertraline condition (100 mg/day) for six consecutive weeks. Experts employed the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to rate participants' degree of depression. Timepoints were baseline, week 2, week 4 and week 6, the end of the study. RESULTS: Symptoms of depression decreased over time, with no advantages or disadvantages for the saffron or sertraline condition. CONCLUSION: The pattern of results suggests that both saffron and sertraline have the potential to significantly decrease symptoms of depression. The results are clinically relevant, because major depressive disorders in older people is a health concern. The results are further relevant, because saffron appears to be a powerful antidepressant for older people, who might be more reluctant to the use of synthetic drugs.