Affron Saffron Extract Linked to Improvements in Depressive Symptoms: Study

Affron, a saffron extract marketed by Pharmactive, may be helpful in managing subclinical depressive symptoms, concluded researchers in a study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

The study relied on more than 200 volunteers, making it the largest of ten studies to date evaluating the ingredient’s impacts on measures of mood, stress, and mental wellness.

Subclinical depression is defined as a mild form of depression in which an individual experiences some typical symptoms like sadness or loss of interest, but doesn’t meet the full diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. Mild mood disorders currently affect 11% of adults, and while not severe, it can significantly impact daily function and is considered a risk factor for developing more serious mental health issues.

The two-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 202 adults between the ages of 18 and 70 who reported experiencing subclinical depressive symptoms, like low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and anxiety. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 28 mg of Affron divided into two daily doses or a matching placebo for 12 weeks.

A meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms was experienced by 72% of study participants who received Affron. Notably, there was a large placebo response as well, with 54% of those in the placebo group experiencing significant improvements in self-reported depressive symptoms as well.

Daily mood ratings revealed group differences in mood and stress that significantly favored Affron intake, with significant differences emerging by the fifth week of supplementation, when participants reported reduced daily feelings of sadness and stress.

There were no significant overall differences in sleep quality between the saffron and placebo groups. However, per a subgroup analysis, participants who reported greater sleep disturbances at baseline saw significant sleep quality improvements after taking Affron. These participants experienced a 12% reduction in sleep disturbance as opposed to 8% in the placebo group, Pharmactive noted.

“The mood-enhancing effects of Affron have been regularly and comprehensively investigated,” said Inés Morán, PhD, scientific studies manager at Pharmactive. “However, all of the previous trials involved smaller sample sizes and durations, typically ranging from 40 to 80 people over a period of four to eight weeks in populations with overt mood disorders. This is our most robust trial yet, designed to examine the safety and efficacy of Affron over a longer treatment duration and with a much larger group of volunteers.”

Affron is standardized to contain at least 3.5% concentrations of the bioactive lepticrosalides, as verified by HPLC, and is evidenced to have a one-hour absorption rate.