Recommended Dosage of Saffron for Depression
The recommended dosage of saffron for treating depression is 30 mg twice daily (total 60 mg/day) based on current evidence. 1
Evidence for Saffron in Depression Treatment
- Saffron has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment for mild-to-moderate depression in clinical trials 2
- A standardized saffron extract (affron®) at a dose of 14 mg twice daily (28 mg total) has shown effectiveness as an adjunctive treatment to pharmaceutical antidepressants in adults with persistent depression 3
- In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 50 mg saffron capsules twice daily for 12 weeks significantly improved depression scores compared to placebo 2
- The Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO guideline specifically mentions a positive low-risk-of-bias trial using 30 mg of saffron for depression 1
Mechanism of Action
- Saffron appears to have antidepressant effects by potentially modulating dopamine release, which is particularly relevant for addressing anhedonia (lack of pleasure) in depression 4
- Saffron may also influence BDNF-TrkB signaling, which is involved in the pathophysiology of depression 4
Comparative Effectiveness
- Meta-analyses have shown that saffron supplementation results in significant reductions in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores compared to placebo (Effect Size: -3.87; 95% CI: -5.27, -2.46) 5
- Saffron has demonstrated a large positive effect size when compared with placebo for both depressive symptoms (g = 0.99, P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (g = 0.95, P < 0.006) 6
- When used as an adjunct to antidepressants, saffron also showed a large positive effect size for depressive symptoms (g = 1.23, P = 0.028) 6
Clinical Considerations
- For patients with mild depressive episodes, antidepressants are not recommended as initial treatment according to WHO guidelines, making saffron a potential alternative 1
- For moderate to severe depression, saffron may be considered as an adjunct to conventional treatments such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or fluoxetine 1
- If considering saffron as an adjunct to pharmaceutical antidepressants, monitor for potential reduction in antidepressant side effects, which has been reported in some studies 3
Treatment Duration
- Based on conventional antidepressant guidelines, treatment should continue for at least 4-9 months after a satisfactory response for a first episode of depression 1
- For patients who have had 2 or more episodes of depression, longer duration of therapy may be beneficial 1
Monitoring and Assessment
- Begin assessing response and side effects within 1-2 weeks of initiating saffron treatment 1, 7
- If there is inadequate response after 6-8 weeks, consider modifying the treatment approach 1
- Use validated depression rating scales such as the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to objectively measure treatment response 3, 2
Limitations and Caveats
- Despite promising results, there is evidence of publication bias in saffron studies 6
- Most studies have small sample sizes and relatively short durations 4
- Saffron may not be appropriate as a standalone treatment for severe depression where conventional antidepressants are indicated 1
- Quality and standardization of saffron extracts may vary between products, potentially affecting clinical outcomes 5