Crocin from saffron lowered depression and anxiety scores in small, inconsistent trials

Design

Dose-response meta-analysis of randomised trials

Population

14 RCTs of crocin supplementation, mostly from one country

Primary outcome

Change in depressive and anxiety symptom scores per 30 mg/day

Effect

Depression −3.37 (−4.80 to −1.94); anxiety −2.73; I² about 97%

This dose-response meta-analysis pooled 14 randomised trials of crocin, the main carotenoid in saffron, for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Most were small and conducted largely in one country.

Each 30 mg/day increase in crocin was associated with a 3.37-point fall in depressive symptom scores (95% CI −4.80 to −1.94) and a 2.73-point fall in anxiety scores, with roughly linear dose-response curves. Heterogeneity was extreme, with I² about 97% for both outcomes.

Patients in India often ask about saffron and other herbal products. This review offers a reason to keep crocin on the research agenda, not a reason to recommend it in place of established treatment. Product strength and purity also vary widely outside trials.

• Ask patients directly about herbal and supplement use, including saffron products
• Do not substitute crocin for an antidepressant or psychological therapy on this evidence
• Check for interactions and bleeding risk when supplements are combined with prescribed drugs
• Note that commercial saffron products vary in crocin content

Why it matters

Gives a straight answer when a patient asks whether saffron supplements work for mood.

Don't overread it

Extreme heterogeneity and small single-country trials mean the pooled effect is unreliable.

The statistics, in plain English

An I² of 97% means almost all of the variation between trials reflects real differences in the studies, not chance, so a single pooled number describes them poorly. Small trials from one region are also prone to publication bias, which tends to inflate pooled effects.

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