| Effect | Decrease |
| Values | Mean and SE. RCADS score. Children: before 6.10 (0.43), after 4.00 (0.52). Saffron: before 5.20 (0.49), after 2.39 (0.51). Parents: before 3.70 (0.53), after 2.38 (0.37). Saffron: before 2.95 (0.38), after 1.08 (0.24). |
| Trial Design | Randomized trial |
| Trial Length | 1-6 months |
| Number of Subjects | 80 |
| Sex | Both Genders |
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 children aged 12 to 16 with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression took 14 mg of saffron extract ("derived from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L.
and standardized to contain >3.5% Lepticrosalides® a measure of bioactive compounds present in saffron, including safranal and crocin isomers") twice daily for 8 weeks.
There was a greater reduction in separation anxiety, social phobia, and depression rated by children. The differences weren't statistically significant when rated by parents, however. There weren't statistically significant differences for panic, obsessions/compulsions, or generalized anxiety, though saffron seems to reduce them more than placebo.
The trial was preregistered: ACTRN12617000155392
