Study shows that saffron extract can reduce depression in adults

In a human clinical study, Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L is said to have demonstrated that its non-GMO Spanish saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.), Affron^®, was well tolerated when administrated with antidepressant drugs, and effectively reduced depression in adults with persistent depressive symptoms.

Approximately one in five people experience depression throughout their life, and currently, it is estimated that one in 10 people experience depression‎. Depression is associated with an increased risk of medical illness, a higher risk of suicide‎ and reduced quality of life.

In a recent, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the Madrid-based company’s saffron extract allegedly demonstrated strong clinical evidence, compared to a placebo, in significantly reducing depressive symptoms in adults. The study, led by Adrian Lopresti, Ph.D. included adult volunteers currently taking pharmaceutical antidepressants but continued to suffer from mild-to-moderate depression.

After eight weeks of supplementation with Affron, depressive symptoms were decreased by 41 percent compared to the placebo group (21 percent reduction) (p=0.001). Affron was well-tolerated and study participants reported a high satisfaction with supplement intake (over 70 percent of participants said they would likely continue to take Affron after the study).

“These results strongly suggest that Affron could be safely used with pharmaceutical antidepressants in adults continuing to experience mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms,” said Alberto Espinel, Head of R&D at Pharmactive. “Additionally, the results suggested Affron supplementation may reduce some of the side effects from antidepressants.”

Previous clinical research has also shown that Affron helps support mood, helps with relaxation, relieves stress and tension, and improves sleep quality in healthy individuals‎. 

As saffron is the most expensive botanical in the world, counterfeiting is said to be common. Pharmactive grows and cultivates the saffron in its own fields in Castilla-La-Mancha in Spain and utilises a complete set of QC analyses with full traceability to guarantee the purest extract from the most trusted sources of saffron. Affron is standardised to Lepticrosalides™, a complex of bioactive compounds responsible for the beneficial and organoleptic attributes of Affron. The proprietary-patented extraction process allows Affron to be effectively used at 28 mg/day, which is allegedly the lowest therapeutic dose available on the market.