Research reportCrocin, the main active saffron constituent, as an adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical trial

ObjectiveHerbal remedies play an important role in treatment of psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of crocin, the main active constituent of saffron, as an adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodThis study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical trial. It was carried out during 4 weeks in two groups (placebo and treatment) on 40 MDD patients between 24 and 50 years old in Ibn-e-Sina psychiatric hospital, Mashhad, Iran, from March 2013 to December 2013. The crocin group (n=20) was given one selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug (fluoxetine 20 mg/day or sertraline 50 mg/day or citalopram 20 mg/day) plus crocin tablets (30 mg/day; 15 mg BID) and placebo group (n=20) was administered one SSRI (fluoxetine 20 mg/day or sertraline 50 mg/day or citalopram 20 mg/day) plus placebo (two placebo tablets per day) for 4 weeks. Both groups filled beck depression inventory (BDI), beck anxiety inventory (BAI), general health questionnaire (GHQ), the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ), side effect evaluation questionnaire, and demographic questionnaire before and after one month intervention.ResultsThe crocin group showed significantly improved scores on BDI, BAI and GHQ compared to placebo group (Pvalue<0.0001). The averages of decrease in BDI, BAI and GHQ scores in placebo group were 6.15, 2.6 and 10.3 respectively, whereas the values in crocin group were 17.6, 12.7 and 17.2 after 4 weeks trial.LimitationsPoor patient compliance with medications and short trial period, small sample size and self-report assessments were the major limitations of this study.ConclusionThese results demonstrated the effect of crocin in depression and could be administered in treatment of MDD patients.