Kell, Graham and Rao, Amanda and Beccaria, Gavin 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4341-804X and Clayton, Paul and Inarejos-Garcia, Antonio Manuel and Prodanov, Marin
(2017)
affron® a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebocontrolled clinical trial.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 33.
pp. 58-64.
ISSN 0965-2299
Abstract
Background
In recent years phytotherapy has been explored as a source for alternative treatments for mood disorders. One potential candidate is saffron (Crocus sativus L.), whose main bioactive components are crocins and safranal.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of affron®, a standardised stigmas extract from Crocus sativus L. for improving mood, stress, anxiety and sleep quality in healthy adults.
Methods
In this 3 arm study, 128 participants self-reporting low mood but not diagnosed with depression, were given affron® at 28 mg/day, 22 mg/day, or a placebo treatment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 4 weeks. Mood was measured at baseline and at the end of the study, using the POMS (primary outcome measure) and PANAS questionnaires, and the DASS-21 scale. Sleep was monitored using Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Results
Analysis indicated a significant decrease in negative mood and symptoms related to stress and anxiety at a 28 mg/day dose (with a significant difference between 28 mg/day and placebo on the POMS Total Mood Disturbance scale, p < 0.001, d = −1.10), but no treatment effect at the 22 mg/day dose.
Limitations
The main weaknesses of this investigation were found in the self-reporting nature of both the screening and the testing.
Conclusions
affron® increased mood, reduced anxiety and managed stress without side effects, offering a natural alternative to standard treatments.
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| Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 -) |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 -) |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Dec 2017 07:05 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Apr 2018 00:10 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Clinical trial; Mood disorders; Saffron extract; Phytonutrient; Depression |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences > 111599 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences not elsewhere classified 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine > 110402 Naturopathy |
| Socio-Economic Objectives (2008): | C Society > 92 Health > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920209 Mental Health Services |
| Identification Number or DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/33072 |
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