Comparing the efficacy and safety ofCrocus sativusL. with memantine in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract

In addition to its favorable safety profile, 1-year administration of saffron extract capsules showed to be comparable with memantine in reducing cognitive decline in patients with moderate to severe AD. Confirmatory studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted.

Petals of Crocus sativus L. as a potential source of the antioxidants crocin and kaempferol

“…Scientific studies have confirmed the validity of saffron extracts in the treatment of mild to moderate depression [5,6], and agent against erectile dysfunction [7], and as anti-arrhythmic agent and restorer of cardicac functions [8,9]. Other studies showed a role of saffron as a protector against age related macular degeneration [10,11], in reducing cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer Disease [12,13], and as a source for potential anti-cancer agents [14,15,16].…”

Comparisons between traditional medicines and pharmacotherapies for Alzheimer disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of cognitive outcomes

“…Treatment durations were 6 to 64 weeks. Two studies were conducted in Iran, one in India, and the remainder in China (Table ). In 29 studies, the control was donepezil.…”

“…One of these included donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine control groups . One study used memantine . Three studies tested extracts of single plants.…”

Systematic Review of Adverse Effects from Herbal Drugs Reported in Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Saffron (an extract of Crocus sativus Linn, 60 mg daily) induced decrease of blood cellular components (platelet, WBC, or RBC) in about 60% of subjects with idiopathic olicgoasthenoteratozoospermia (Safarinejad et al ., ). Saffron (30 mg daily) treatment however did not report any similar adverse effects but significantly helped the cognitive function of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in another RCT (Farokhnia et al ., ). HMPL‐004 (an extract of Andrographis paniculata ) reduced number of white blood cells, and abnormally high levels of serum C‐reactive protein and glucose were observed in patients with ulcerative colitis (Tang et al ., ).…”