At a time when France is the world's largest consumer of antidepressants, some researchers are looking at more natural alternatives with lesser side effects. Saffron has been the subject of studies revealing its ability to regulate mood in the context of depression. Let's look at the results of the various studies in detail together.
Safran : présentation botanique et historique
Saffron or crocus savitus also known as "yellow gold" is a perennial and bulbous plant of the iridaceae family that can grow to about 30 centimeters in height. During its flowering, between September and November, each flower contains 3 yellow pistils with three orange-red stigmas of a length of 2,5 to 3,5cm. It is these stigmas that give off an odor aromatic that is renowned worldwide and used in phytotherapy.
"Saffron" comes from the Arabic "za'farân" which means "coloring yellow", yellow being said "asfar" and yellow flower "safrâ". It has been used for thousands of years in the preparation of meals but also as a natural dye, perfume and medicine as attested by the writings of Homer in the Illiad. In addition, saffron is regularly used in traditional Persian pharmacopoeia to treat depressions light.
Composition chimique des stigmates du Safran
More than 150 volatile and aromatic compounds are present in the stigmas including the terpene aldehyde: saffronal.
In addition, we also find non-volatile compounds such as: carotenoids, glucosides, flavonoids, celluloses, lipids and minerals.
Propriétés pharmacologiques antidépressives
Clinical studies were conducted in a double-blind fashion on 35 subjects with moderate to severe depression (Hamilton score ≥18). The antidepressant effect of an ethanolic extract of saffron was compared with a placebo. After 6 weeks, the people who took 30mg/day of saffron extract had a Hamilton score decreased by 12.20 points, against 5.10 points for the placebo group.
Two other clinical studies, which were conducted with strictly the same protocol, compared the efficacy of this same saffron extract with reference molecules in the treatment of depression: fluoxetine (dosed at 20mg/d) and imipramine (dosed at 100mg/d). The results showed an improvement of the Hamilton scores for the 68 subjects who received saffron extract (-12.20 points) or the above mentioned molecules (-15 points).
This shows us thatsaffron extract is as effective as the treatments used in conventional treatments of moderate to severe depression.
Le safranal, la molécule aux principes actifs intéressants
As stated above, saffronal is a terpene aldehyde, a volatile aromatic compound found in the stigmas of the safran. It is this very compound that researchers are interested in. Its action has been studied and what would emerge is that saffronal would recapture serotonin, a neurotransmitter playing a primary role in mood regulation. For the record, serotonin is also called the good mood hormone.
Effets secondaires du safran, toxicité et précautions d’emploi
Saffron is not addictive nor does it cause withdrawal when stopped.
Above 1.5g of saffron, blood clotting disorders, digestive disorders, dizziness, numbness, yellow coloration of the skin and mucous membranes have been reported.
The lethal dose is 20g
Saffron is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women and for people on antidepressant.
If you (or a loved one) are concerned with depression, it is absolutely not recommended toconsider self-medication as many physiological and psychological factors come into play. It is imperative to consult a physician or psychiatrist who alone will be able to identify whether you suffer from a depression and will determine what its degree is. Medication management may be necessary along with psychotherapy. However, if you are considering withdrawal (under the supervision of your doctor, very important!), this natural alternative can be used as a relay until you stop your treatments. Never stop antidepressant treatment without the advice of your doctor, I insist!
*LOPRESTI AL, DRUMMOND PD. Saffraon (Crocus Sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action.Hum Psyvhoparmacol, 2014; 29:517-527
and
HAUSENBLAS HA et al. Saffron (crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Integr Med. 2013; 11: 377-383