Effects of Saffron Extract Supplementation on Mood, Well-Being, and Response to a Psychosocial Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group, Clinical Trial

Frontiers in Nutrition

Lucile Capuron¹  Carole Vaysse¹  Hélène Abrous¹  Julie Brossaud¹  Benjamin Moras²  David Gaudout²  Séverine Dubreuil²  Camille Pouchieu²  Line Pourtau²  Julie Khan³  Philippa A. Jackson³  Joanne Forster³  David O. Kennedy⁴  Karène Bertrand⁵  Jean Benoit Corcuff⁵  Florent Joffre⁵  David Vauzour⁵ 

[1] Lipid Biochemistry Department, Canéjan, France;Activ'Inside, Beychac et Caillau, France;Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom;Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom;;ITERG, Nutrition-Health &

关键词: saffron;    depression;    anxiety;    heart rate variability;    crocetin;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnut.2020.606124

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Anxiety, stress, and low mood are closely related and may contribute to depressive symptoms. Among non-pharmacological solutions to improve subclinical mood symptoms and resilience to stress, natural products such as saffron—identified as promising following preliminary beneficial effects in major depressive disorder—represent a relevant strategy. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of 8 weeks' supplementation with 30 mg standardized saffron extract on emotional well-being in healthy adults with subclinical feelings of low mood and anxiety and/or stress and evaluate the acute effect of saffron in response to a lab-based psychosocial stressor. The study adopted a double-blind, randomized, parallel groups design in which 56 healthy male and female individuals (18–54 years) received either a saffron extract or a placebo for 8 weeks. Chronic effects of saffron on subjective anxiety, stress, and depressive feelings were assessed using a questionnaire battery [including Profile of Mood State-2, (POMS)] and acute effects in response to a lab-based psychosocial stressor were measured through psychological and physiological parameters. Urinary crocetin levels were quantified. Participants who received the saffron extract reported reduced depression scores and improved social relationships at the end of the study. Urinary crocetin levels increased significantly with saffron supplementation and were correlated with change in depression scores. The typical stress-induced decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) during exposure to the stressor was attenuated following acute saffron intake. Saffron extract appears to improve subclinical depressive symptoms in healthy individuals and may contribute to increased resilience against the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders.Clinical trials number: NCT03639831.

【 授权许可】

Unknown